Country Gravy Breakfast Casserole

This Country Gravy Breakfast Casserole has everything you need for a terrific breakfast... sausage, eggs, cheese, country gravy and toast... perfect for guests or a weekend breakfast.

I must admit... my Mother never made breakfast casseroles when I was growing up.... I learned all about them from co-workers... they would bring them in for office "food days".... one bite.. I was hooked.. so my son reaped the benefits... breakfast casseroles became a weekend treat with leftovers enjoyed during the week.

I learned all about country gravy from my other half... a Southern staple... and oh so good.  I usually make my country gravy from scratch.. but this shortcut recipe works well...

TIPS

I list the melted butter OR butter flavored cooking spray as optional.... honestly .. I think it is needed... it gives a light buttered toast taste and is the finishing touch on the casserole.  In this case.. I highly recommend you brush the melted butter over the bread cubes... butter flavored cooking spray works well to crisp the bread up but the butter flavor really isn't apparent.. so that would be a second choice.

I used fat free milk.. you can use 1% or 2 % or regular milk.

You can use any breakfast sausage you like...

Use both the green and white parts of the green onion.. and add it to the skillet of sausage after the sausage is almost done cooking... otherwise it will scorch and over-cook.

You can use any shredded cheese you prefer.. but cheddar truly is yummy!

You can use egg beaters instead of eggs... just use the equivalent amount.

This is really easy and delicious!

Recipe:  Country Gravy Breakfast Casserole

All you need:

1 pound bulk breakfast sausage

1/4 cup chopped green onions

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

6 eggs, slightly beaten

1 pkg. Pioneer Country Gravy mix

1 cup water

1/2 cup milk

6 slices bread cut into 1 inch cubes

2 tablespoons melted butter OR Butter flavor cooking spray (optional) *See TIPS

Paprika (optional)

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish or a 9 inch square (deep) baking dish and set it aside.

Cook the sausage over medium high heat in a large skillet... when it is almost finished cooking, add the green onions.  Drain on paper towels.

In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs and then add the water, milk and country gravy mix.   Beat with a wire whisk until well mixed.

Put the cooked sausage and green onion in the bottom of the baking dish.   Layer the shredded cheese on top of the sausage.  Pour the egg mixture on top.  Put the bread cubes on top of the mixture... some will sink into the liquid and that's okay.

Lightly brush the melted butter over the bread cubes or lightly spray with butter flavor cooking spray. 

Optional:  Sprinkle with paprika.

Bake uncovered for 40 minutes (for a 9 x 13 baking dish) or 45 minutes for a 9 inch square (deep) baking dish or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

How to Poach Eggs in the Oven

This method is so quick and easy… it makes making poached eggs a snap!... It also adds the possibility of serving them for a crowd…. while they’re in the oven… reheat made-ahead sauce… toast English muffins and prepare plate for serving… even make breakfast potatoes in a skillet…. you can have a terrific breakfast and serve a small crowd.

TIPS

The time for cooking these is a range… 15-20 minutes… it will depend on how you like your eggs and how your guests will like them… 15 minutes will have a bit of runny white and a nicely runny yolk… as the cooking time increases… the egg white becomes less runny and so does the yolk.

If you like a solid white and a fairly runny egg yolk… about 16 minutes is what you are shooting for… 20 minutes will give you a solid egg white and egg yolk… the yolk will be cooked but still a little soft… a hair away from hard boiled…. I hope that helps.

Beware… when looking at the eggs and trying to decide if they are done enough for you… the water will have risen to the top… so it may look like the white is very runny when it is not… I really hate to say this… but you will need to try this out for yourself… all ovens are slightly different and everyone likes eggs differently and you have to find what you like best…. I like it at 16 minutes.

Use a non-stick muffin tin for best results.

I like to break the eggs into a small custard cup then pour them into each muffin “well”.

You must use a muffin tin for standard size muffins. Make 1 or 24 .. the directions and time will be the same...

You have to try this... it is so easy... I may never use my poacher again!








All you need:

Standard size muffin tin
Spray cooking oil (butter flavor preferred)
Eggs
Water

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.



Spray each muffin “well” with cooking oil… spray as many as you need… 1 egg to each.






Add 1 tablespoon water to each muffin well to be used.









Drop one egg into each well.








Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on preferred doneness.







To remove poached eggs easily… simply use two soup spoons… the eggs should flip easily onto one spoon when pushed by the other.

Confetti Egg Salad

 

Confetti Egg Salad combines the robust flavors of peppers, onions and black olives into a delicious egg salad that is great as a spread with crackers or as a terrific sandwich.

Just like many other salads.. you simply can’t have too many egg salad recipes.  There are endless combinations of ingredients to try.. and why not?...  After all, it can make hum drum lunches burst with flavor.

TIPS

Combine as much or as little of the ingredients that you like.. adding a little at a time until you get the right mix that’s perfect for you.

I always use Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise .. if you prefer another brand.. by all means.. use your preference.

For a colorful salad.. use a combination of green red and yellow peppers.

Chop the ingredients and finely as you like… if using small crackers.. then you may want to consider chopping them smaller than I did.

Hope you try this… it’s delicious!

Recipe:  Confetti Egg Salad

All you need:

6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

¼ - ½ cup finely diced peppers (combination of green, red and yellow)

¼ cup finely chopped green onion

¼ cup finely chopped black olives

½ cup mayonnaise

Salt and pepper to taste

All you need to do:

Combine the ingredients in a medium bowl.  Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Over 30 Fabulous Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

Mother's Day.. the day we say thank you to our Mom's for all they have done.  Making a lovely brunch for her is a wonderful way to let her know all she did and still does, really matters.  This is her special day.. all about her.

Whether you're a whizz in the kitchen or a novice.. there are easy-to-do recipes to choose from.  Here are some terrific recipes... some are a snap...ones the kids can help Dad make.... and some are little more work.  All the recipes have easy to follow step by step instructions...

So peruse my list and see what fits your style.







Let's Start with Easy Fancy Schmancy  Recipes...

Easy Cinnamon Roll Waffles - a super easy recipe using Pillsbury canned cinnamon rolls and a waffle iron...  great for little helpers

Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes - don't have a waffle iron?.... here's another super easy recipe using Pillsbury canned cinnamon rolls... make them into "cupcakes"  they make a great presentation and so easy to make!

Cinnamon Roll Waffles (from scratch) .. okay.. you're not a whizz kid in the kitchen but you can handle mixing a few ingredients... here's a "from scratch" recipe that is not only easy.. the taste is divine!... close your eyes and you will swear you're eating a cinnamon roll.

Mini Dutch Babies - a very easy recipe... a muffin tin and a few ingredients that are probably on hand... this makes 12 at once since you're using the muffin tin... so it's great for feeding a few people and since it's made in the oven frees you up to make some other parts of the breakfast.

German Apple Pancake - and easy "one skillet" pancake filled with apples topped with a little powdered sugar...so yummy!  All you need is a skillet that can go in the oven.. mix the batter and pop it in... now how easy is that?

 

Cheddar and Chive Scrambled Eggs in a Pastry Shell - talk about impressive!  Buy frozen pastry shells and follow the easy baking instructions.... make some scrambled eggs with some cheddar cheese and chopped chives...  stuff the shells with the eggs.. maybe even tuck a piece of sliced deli ham in there and drizzle some cheddar cheese sauce over the top and viola! you have a gorgeous breakfast entrée.

Eggs Benedict - these eggs are always a treat.  Not a great sauce maker?... you can always buy a Knorr powdered Hollandaise Sauce mix...  Another suggestion... want to change up the Eggs Benedict a bit?  Try Irish Eggs Benedict or Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict.  Again, there are shortcuts to consider... ready made Crab Cakes from the Seafood counter at the grocery store or  from the frozen section.

Crepes - they are way easier to make than you think... you don't have to have a fancy crepe pan... you can make it in a non-stick omelet pan or skillet.  They can be stuffed with just about anything your little heart desires... scrambled eggs... strawberries and whipped cream... even her favorite ice cream or you can simply spread jelly on them and roll them...the sky's the limit.  I even have a post devoted to Crepe Making Tips to help you... and check out the "Crepes" section of this blog for some easy filling recipes.

More Pancakes...

Light and Fluffy Pancakes - these are wonderfully light and delicious... add some maple syrup.. make some bacon or sausage.... a breakfast the whole family will love.

How About French Toast?

French Toast - a classic for sure.... but maybe you want to go on the wild side and change it up...try Chocolate French Toast....for more ideas for different French Toasts.... read on...

Pound Cake French Toast - an easy recipe.. you can use a store bought pound cake in the freezer section of the grocery store...

Bananas Foster Stuffed French Toast - a French Toast twist on a classic dessert... indulgent and surprisingly easy-to-make.

Eggs...Frittatas...Quiches and More..

How to Make Poached Eggs in the Oven - poached eggs are in so many really wonderful breakfast dishes but making more than a few can be a challenge... there is a simple solution... make them in a muffin tin in the oven.. easy as 1-2-3.

Provencal Eggs -  a wonderful dish of a baked egg or two over a make-ahead filling of tomatoes, garlic, onions, eggplant, herbs and spices.  The beauty of this recipe is it's a low carb dish you can make mostly ahead... just before serving re-heating and baking the eggs.... baking the egg(s) over the filling is virtually fool-proof... just keep on eye on it so you remove it from the oven as soon as the egg is done to your liking.

Western Eggs - Mom like it bold?  These eggs combine the bold flavors of onions and peppers and ham... topped with some salsa... a truly great breakfast!

California Omelet - eggs, tomatoes, avocado, green onion, cheeses... salsa... another low carb choice.. all with fresh and delicious ingredients.

Chorizo Black Beans and Eggs - Skillet breakfasts are always a terrific idea.. this one adds a bit of spice with Mexican chorizo..

The Denver Frittata - not good at making omelets... making more than two omelets?  Don't try to make more than one or two omelets otherwise you're going to be stuck cooking the whole time.. and people will have to wait for theirs .... just not a good idea...

Frittatas are an easy alternative... baked in a baking dish..  as close to fool-proof as you can get... they combine all the same wonderful ingredients in an omelet .. another plus is that to serve them they're cut into wedges so you can accommodate more people.  You can even make individual serving Frittatas.. and as a "crustless quiche".. it's another low carb alternative.

Asparagus and Crab Quiche - delicious and impressive.. this is one easy quiche to make.. great for a later brunch... a side salad.. and a light dessert.. the perfect ladies lunch!...if making pie crust is not your forte then use a ready made crust either from the dairy or frozen section of the grocery store... and best of all... it can be assembled mostly ahead.... pop it in the oven while you enjoy your time with your Mom.

Sausage and Apple Quiche -  if Asparagus and Crab is not your thing.. how about a Sausage and Apple combination?  The two ingredients compliment each other so well!

Mini Quiche Lorraine - making brunch for a large family?.. maybe mini quiches are a better idea.. don't pay for those expensive frozen ones in the grocery store... they're easy to make at the fraction of the cost.  make one kind or a variety... here is another mini quiche recipe....  Mini Spinach and Bacon Quiches

Spanish Tortilla - most people hear the word "tortilla" and think of thin flatbreads made of corn or wheat... not so with Spanish Tortilla... a Spanish Tortilla is a "pie" made up of eggs and potatoes... totally delicious.. I assure you.

Breakfast Casseroles...

Eggnog French Toast Casserole - love eggnog?  love French Toast?  This recipe is for you!  Assemble the night before and pop it into the oven the next morning.. how simple is that?

Can't find eggnog this time of year?  No problem.. the recipe is actually a variation of my original French Toast Casserole recipe.... serve it with maple syrup or for a fabulous treat... defrost frozen strawberries in light syrup and serve it with whipped cream.. beyond heavenly!

Country Gravy Breakfast Casserole - a classic and always a favorite!

Cheesy Egg Bacon and Biscuit Breakfast Casserole - eggs, cheese, bacon, biscuits.. what more can I possibly say?

Breads... Muffins... Breakfast Cake

Banana Nut Bread - an easy recipe... delicious and moist... a great accompaniment to scrambled eggs.

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits - these are not as hard to make as you think.. follow the tips and your biscuits will be a hit.   These go great with Country Gravy.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins - these are seriously the BEST Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins you will ever eat.

Sausage and Cheese Muffins - a delicious savory muffin.. it goes well with many dishes... a terrific addition to your menu.

Blueberry Buttermilk Coffee Cake - a super easy cake to make... perfect for brunch.



Desserts...

White Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Filling and White Chocolate Coconut Frosting -  an astounding dessert cake that will surely please.

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes -  so cute and delicious... great for a large group.

Amaretto Peach Tart - delicious!

Banana Pie - an easy no-bake version for when you are short on time or don't want to run an oven.

Fruit Salad - delicious, easy and healthy.... you can serve it with a Yogurt Sauce




Beverages...

Sweet Tea

Grand Mimosas - because ... just because...