Creating your Delicious Christmas Breakfast Casserole can be straightforward if you follow these simple steps:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cube the Bread: Cut the loaf of bread into bite-sized cubes and spread them evenly in the bottom of the greased baking dish.
- Cook the Meat: If you're using raw sausage, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned and crumbled. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté the diced bell pepper and onion until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
- Layer the Ingredients: Sprinkle the cooked sausage (or ham), sautéed vegetables, and cheese over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Pour the egg mixture evenly over everything.
- Let it Soak: If time allows, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. This gives the bread time to absorb the egg mixture.
- Bake: Remove the plastic wrap and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.