Italian Brunch Casserole

Indulge in the comforting flavors of an **Italian Brunch Casserole**, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for weekends or entertaining guests. This easy-to-make recipe combines savory Italian sausage, sautéed red bell peppers, onions, and garlic with nutritious baby spinach, all layered over soft cubes of Italian bread. A rich egg custard, infused with classic herbs like oregano and basil, ties the dish together, while a gooey blend of mozzarella and Parmesan adds a cheesy finish. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole is both satisfying and versatile, serving as a crowd-pleasing breakfast or brunch centerpiece. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a make-ahead option, it’s a stress-free way to deliver bold Italian-inspired flavors to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 Red bell pepper, diced
• 1 Yellow onion, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups Baby spinach
• 4 cups Italian bread, cubed
• 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 Large eggs
• 1 cup Milk
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.75 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or oil.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced red bell pepper and onion. Sauté over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 6

Spread the cubed Italian bread evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Layer the cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, and spinach over the bread.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

Step 8

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and vegetables, ensuring all pieces are soaked. Gently press down any bread cubes that stick up to help them absorb the liquid.

Step 9

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set in the center.

Step 11

Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into servings. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2669.4 grams (2669.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5537

Total Fat 264.20g	339%
Saturated Fat 101.90g	510%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.50g
Cholesterol 2017mg	672%
Sodium 11865mg	516%
Total Carbohydrate 534.10g	194%
Dietary Fiber 39.20g	140%
Total Sugars 54.20g
Protein 265.30g	531%

Vitamin D 427IU	2137%
Calcium 2657mg	204%
Iron 49mg	272%
Potassium 3483mg	74%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.6%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 38.3%