My family especially loves it during the holidays and I first baked it on a busy Sunday morning when we wanted something special without standing at the stove flipping pancakes
Ingredients
- Breakfast sausage: Choose your favorite variety whether mild spicy or flavored Look for sausage with a nice pink color and avoid any with off smells
- Pancake mix: This cuts down on steps Pick a good quality mix without too many additives
- Whole milk: Adds richness and moisture Use fresh whole milk for best flavor
- Large egg: Binds everything together Choose eggs with a rich yolk for color and taste
- Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely warmth and enhances the pancake flavor Use pure vanilla for the best aroma
- Melted butter: Enriches the batter and keeps it tender European style butter gives a deeper flavor
- Pure maple syrup: Adds a natural sweetness Optional but recommended for true breakfast comfort
- Ground cinnamon: Gives extra warmth and spice to the bake Especially nice in cooler months
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Offers a melty savory contrast to the sweet pancake batter Pick a sharp cheddar for bold flavor
- Cooking spray or softened butter: For greasing your baking dish Ensures easy release
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Set your oven to 375 degrees and make sure it reaches temperature for an even bake
- Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or softened butter getting into every corner to prevent sticking
- Cook the Sausage:
- Brown your breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat Break it up into small crumbles and cook until there is no pink left Pour off extra fat so the dish does not get greasy
- Mix the Pancake Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl whisk your pancake mix with milk egg vanilla melted butter and the optional maple syrup and cinnamon Stir until just combined The batter will be a little lumpy which is perfect
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Pour half the pancake batter into your prepped baking dish Spread it for an even base Sprinkle all the cooked sausage over this layer followed by cheddar cheese if using then top with the rest of the pancake batter so the sausage and cheese are nicely covered
- Bake the Casserole:
- Put the dish on the middle rack in your hot oven Bake for around twenty five to thirty minutes until the top is deep golden and a toothpick in the center comes out clean
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the casserole rest for at least five minutes so it slices cleanly Serve warm and drizzle lightly with maple syrup if you want that classic sweet finish
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