Breakfast Casserole

by Catherine Diane Welch
(Georgetown, TN, USA)

Every Christmas Eve for approximately 20 years, I have made "Breakfast Casserole". Then early Christmas mornings it was popped in the oven & baked while my sons opened their Santa's gifts. When the presents were all opened, a delicous hot breakfast was ready to eat.

One year I was planning our Christmas Menu, and mentioned that I might not prepare "Breakfast Casserole" and both sons exclaimed ....it would not be Christmas without "Breakfast Casserole".
A Welch tradition was born "Christmas Breakfast Casserole"

Breakfast Casserole Recipe:

6-8 slices buttered bread with edges trimmed
2 lbs TN Pride Sausage (1 hot & 1 mild flavor)
1 small onion, chopped
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
2 cups finely shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
6 eggs, well beaten
2 cups half & half cream
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Place trimmed buttered bread with buttered side down in a 9x13x2 inch baking pan.

In a large skillet cook sausage with onion and bell pepper.

Crumble the sausage with a fork while browning.

DRAIN ALL FAT!

Pour sausage mixture over the bread.

Sprinkle cheese over the sausage

Beat eggs with the half & half cream, salt and pepper.

Pour over the cheese layer.

Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.

Next AM uncover and bake at 350 degress for 45 minutes.

ENJOY!