Easy Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Morning Meal
There’s something undeniably comforting about waking up to the aroma of warm biscuits and savory sausage gravy wafting through your kitchen. This Easy Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole takes that classic Southern comfort food and transforms it into a show-stopping dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd, celebrating special occasions, or simply making your weekend mornings extraordinary.
Unlike traditional biscuits and gravy that require standing at the stove and timing everything perfectly, this casserole version lets you assemble everything in one dish and bake it to golden perfection. The result? Fluffy biscuit pieces soaked in creamy, peppery sausage gravy, all topped with melted cheese and baked until bubbly and irresistible. It’s the kind of breakfast that brings everyone running to the table, and the best part is that you can even prepare it the night before.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, feeding overnight guests, or just want to treat your family to something special on a lazy Sunday morning, this biscuits and gravy casserole delivers big on flavor with minimal effort. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about creating this crowd-pleasing breakfast masterpiece.
Why This Biscuits and Gravy Casserole Works
The genius of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. By using refrigerated biscuit dough, you cut down on prep time without sacrificing that homemade taste. The biscuits bake directly in the casserole, soaking up all the delicious flavors from the sausage gravy while maintaining their signature fluffy texture.
The sausage gravy in this recipe is rich, creamy, and perfectly seasoned with black pepper and savory spices. When combined with eggs and milk, it creates a custard-like base that binds everything together while adding protein and substance to make this a truly satisfying meal. The addition of sharp cheddar cheese on top adds a delightful tang and creates a beautiful golden crust that’s absolutely irresistible.
This casserole is also incredibly forgiving. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, swap out the type of cheese, or even add vegetables like bell peppers or onions to sneak in some extra nutrition. It’s a recipe that invites creativity while still delivering consistently delicious results every single time.
The Southern Heritage of Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits and gravy is a quintessential Southern dish with deep roots in American culinary history. This humble meal originated as a hearty, economical breakfast for farmers and laborers who needed substantial fuel to power through long days of physical work. The combination of flour-based biscuits and protein-rich sausage gravy provided the perfect balance of carbohydrates and protein.
Traditionally, sawmill workers and lumber camp cooks would prepare this dish using simple, affordable ingredients that were readily available. The “sawmill gravy” got its name from these lumber camps where it was a breakfast staple. Over time, this working-class meal evolved into a beloved comfort food enjoyed across all regions and social classes.
By transforming this classic dish into a casserole format, we’re honoring that tradition while making it even more accessible and family-friendly for modern kitchens. This casserole version maintains all the soul-satisfying qualities of the original while adding convenience and the ability to serve a crowd effortlessly.
Ingredients Breakdown: What You’ll Need
For the Casserole Base:
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (regular or spicy)
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
For the Sausage Gravy:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sage (optional)
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Additional black pepper
- Green onions (optional)
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture and flavor profile. The breakfast sausage provides savory, meaty richness, while the biscuits offer that classic fluffy texture we all crave. The egg mixture binds everything together and adds protein, making this a complete meal. The cheese creates a beautiful golden top and adds a sharp, tangy flavor that complements the rich gravy perfectly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This size is perfect for feeding 8-10 people, making it ideal for family gatherings or brunch parties.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes until browned and fully cooked through. Don’t drain all the fat – leave about 2 tablespoons in the pan as this will form the base of your gravy and add incredible flavor.
Step 3: Make the Gravy Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle the flour over the cooked sausage. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Add salt, pepper, and sage if using. Continue cooking and stirring for 5-7 minutes until the gravy thickens to a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4: Prepare the Biscuits Open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. This allows the biscuits to absorb more of the delicious gravy while still maintaining some of their fluffy texture. Arrange the biscuit pieces evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Step 5: Add the Gravy Layer Pour the prepared sausage gravy evenly over the biscuit pieces, making sure to distribute the sausage crumbles throughout. Use a spoon to gently spread the gravy, ensuring every biscuit piece gets coated.
Step 6: Create the Egg Mixture In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 cup of milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined and slightly frothy. This egg mixture will create a custard-like texture that holds everything together beautifully.
Step 7: Assemble the Casserole Pour the egg mixture evenly over the gravy and biscuit layer. The eggs will seep down into all the nooks and crannies, binding everything together as it bakes. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, covering the entire surface.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the eggs are set, the biscuits are cooked through, and the cheese is melted and golden brown on top. You’ll know it’s done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and the casserole jiggles only slightly.
Step 9: Rest and Serve Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the layers to set properly, making it easier to cut into neat squares. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra crack of black pepper for a beautiful presentation.
Easy Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Cook breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, breaking into crumbles, until browned and fully cooked. Leave about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle flour over the cooked sausage. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook the flour.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Add salt, pepper, and sage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until gravy thickens to a creamy consistency. Remove from heat.
- Open biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Arrange biscuit pieces evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the sausage gravy evenly over the biscuit pieces, spreading to ensure even coverage and distribution of sausage crumbles.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 cup milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Pour egg mixture evenly over the gravy and biscuit layer, allowing it to seep into all the spaces.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire top surface of the casserole.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until eggs are set, biscuits are cooked through, and cheese is melted and golden brown. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional black pepper.
- Cut into squares and serve hot. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
Tips for the Perfect Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
Temperature Matters: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking. An oven thermometer can help ensure accuracy, as many ovens run hot or cold, which can affect cooking time and texture.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Letting the casserole rest after baking is crucial. It allows the egg mixture to fully set and makes serving much easier. If you cut into it too soon, it may appear runny or fall apart.
Cheese Selection: While sharp cheddar is classic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Monterey Jack adds creaminess, pepper jack brings heat, or you can use a Mexican cheese blend for a Southwestern twist.
Make It Ahead: This casserole is perfect for overnight preparation. Assemble everything up to the point of baking, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator 20 minutes before baking and add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it’s starting cold.
Prevent Soggy Biscuits: If you’re making this ahead, consider keeping the egg mixture separate and pouring it over just before baking. This prevents the biscuits from becoming too soggy during overnight refrigeration.
Creative Variations to Try
Vegetarian Version: Replace the breakfast sausage with vegetarian sausage crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a meat-free option that’s equally delicious.
Southwestern Style: Add diced green chiles, use pepper jack cheese, and season with cumin and chili powder. Top with salsa and sour cream when serving.
Veggie-Loaded: Sauté diced bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms with the sausage for added nutrition and flavor. Spinach or kale also work beautifully.
Spicy Kick: Use spicy breakfast sausage and add a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the gravy. Top with jalapeño slices before baking.
Hash Brown Layer: Add a layer of frozen hash browns between the biscuits and gravy for extra heartiness and texture.
Serving Suggestions
This biscuits and gravy casserole is substantial enough to serve as a complete meal, but pairing it with complementary sides can create an impressive brunch spread. Fresh fruit salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors. Sliced tomatoes or a simple green salad with vinaigrette adds brightness and helps balance the meal.
For beverages, freshly squeezed orange juice, hot coffee, or mimosas are perfect companions. If you’re hosting a larger gathering, set up a topping bar with hot sauce, salsa, sour cream, and fresh herbs so guests can customize their servings.
Leftover casserole stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat the entire casserole covered with foil at 325°F for 20 minutes.
Nutritional Benefits
While this casserole is definitely an indulgent comfort food, it does provide substantial nutrition. The eggs contribute high-quality protein and essential vitamins like B12 and vitamin D. The sausage adds protein and iron, while the milk and cheese provide calcium for strong bones. To lighten it up slightly, you can use turkey sausage, reduced-fat cheese, and 2% milk without significantly compromising the flavor.
Why Your Family Will Love This Recipe
In our busy modern lives, finding recipes that are both delicious and practical can be challenging. This biscuits and gravy casserole checks all the boxes: it’s comforting, crowd-pleasing, make-ahead friendly, and doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a family tradition, requested for birthday breakfasts, holiday mornings, and special celebrations.
The beauty of casseroles lies in their ability to bring people together. There’s something special about gathering around the table to share a home-cooked meal, and this biscuits and gravy casserole creates exactly that kind of warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s food that feels like a hug, satisfying both hunger and the heart.
Ingredients
Casserole Base:
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (regular or spicy)
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Sausage Gravy:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sage (optional)
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Additional black pepper to taste
- Green onions, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Cook breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, breaking into crumbles, until browned and fully cooked. Leave about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle flour over the cooked sausage. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook the flour.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Add salt, pepper, and sage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until gravy thickens to a creamy consistency. Remove from heat.
- Open biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Arrange biscuit pieces evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the sausage gravy evenly over the biscuit pieces, spreading to ensure even coverage and distribution of sausage crumbles.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 cup milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Pour egg mixture evenly over the gravy and biscuit layer, allowing it to seep into all the spaces.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire top surface of the casserole.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until eggs are set, biscuits are cooked through, and cheese is melted and golden brown. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional black pepper.
- Cut into squares and serve hot. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
