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This sausage apple breakfast casserole is the perfect way to start your morning with warmth and comfort. Juicy breakfast sausage, sweet apples and caramelized onions are layered over hearty sourdough, then topped with Gouda and a savory egg custard. A touch of cinnamon and herbs tie everything together in a delicious balance of sweet and savory. Whether you’re hosting brunch or meal prepping for the week, this casserole is easy to assemble and always a crowd-pleaser.

An apple, gouda and sausage breakfast bake in a dish.

Sausage apple breakfast casserole is a hearty baked dish made with sourdough, apples, sausage, and cheese for a cozy, savory-sweet breakfast.

Also try BBQ smoked meatloaf, carrot cake slow cooker oatmeal, pistachio coffee cake, and savory breakfast muffins.

A slice of Sausage Apple Breakfast Casserole with melted cheese on a plate, garnished with apple slices and fresh rosemary—an easy family brunch recipe perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas breakfast.

Why You’ll Love It

Make-ahead friendly: Assemble it the night before and bake in the morning.
Balanced flavors: Sweet apples pair perfectly with sausage and herbs.
Great for brunch: Feeds a group and looks impressive on the table.
Flexible ingredients: Works with different cheeses, breads or apples.

A baked breakfast casserole with apples, topped with melted cheese and garnished with rosemary, with apples in a basket in the background. An easy family brunch recipe everyone will love.

Sausage Apple Breakfast Casserole Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Sourdough bread: Adds structure and tangy flavor as the casserole base.
Breakfast sausage: Savory and juicy, it anchors the dish with bold flavor.
Apples: Granny Smith, Pink Lady or MacIntosh bring a sweet-tart bite.
Onion: Adds richness and balances the apple’s sweetness.
Eggs: Bind everything together into a fluffy, set custard.
Milk: Lightens the egg mixture and keeps the texture creamy.
Gouda or Havarti cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a creamy, nutty element.
Cinnamon: Enhances the apples and adds subtle warmth.
Rosemary and thyme: Bring earthy, aromatic flavor that complements the sausage.

Bread, eggs, apples, onions, ground meat, cheese, milk, and seasonings on a yellow cloth and wooden table—perfect ingredients for an easy family brunch recipe or a breakfast casserole with apples for Thanksgiving or Christmas breakfast.

How to Make Sausage Breakfast Casserole

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Prep the base: Tear bread into bite-sized pieces and place in baking dish.
Cook the filling: Sauté sausage, onion and apples until browned and tender.
Season the mixture: Stir in cinnamon, rosemary and thyme.
Assemble the casserole: Layer sausage over bread, sprinkle half the cheese and pour over whisked eggs and milk.
Bake until set: Top with remaining cheese and bake until golden and cooked through.

A baked Sausage Apple Breakfast Casserole topped with melted cheese and a rosemary sprig, next to a yellow textured cloth and a spoon.

Substitutions and Variations

Change the bread: Use French bread, brioche or even croissants.
Use a different cheese: Try cheddar, Swiss or mozzarella instead.
Add vegetables: Bell peppers, spinach or mushrooms can be mixed in.

A slice of cheesy Sausage Apple Breakfast Casserole on a plate with apple slices, garnished with herbs, and a fork beside it—an easy family brunch recipe everyone will love.

Serving Suggestions

With sweet brunch treats: Enjoy banana muffins or a blue mermaid smoothie bowl on the side.
With savory items: Serve up eggs benedict or whole egg muffins.
With a drink: Cinnamon dolce latte is always good, or perhaps you’d prefer a kiwi strawberry smoothie.

Sausage Apple Breakfast Casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with rosemary in a white dish on a yellow towel—perfect for a cozy Thanksgiving or Christmas breakfast.

How to Store Sausage and Apple Brunch Casserole

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw:
 Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in the oven or microwave.

A slice of Sausage Apple Breakfast Casserole with sausage and herbs, served with apple slices on a white plate and a fork—an easy family brunch recipe everyone will love.

Top Tips

Let it rest before serving: This makes it easier to slice and improves texture.
Cut ingredients evenly: Uniform pieces help everything cook consistently.
Use day-old bread: Slightly dry bread soaks up the egg mixture better.

A breakfast casserole with apples, topped with melted cheese and garnished with rosemary, makes a festive dish perfect for a Thanksgiving or Christmas breakfast. Red apples in the background add a seasonal touch.

Apple and Gouda Breakfast Casserole FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked sausage links instead of ground?

Yes, just chop them into small pieces before sautéing with the onion and apples.

Do I have to peel the apples?

Peeling is recommended for the best texture, but you can leave the skins on if preferred.

Can I bake this the day before and heat it up in the morning?

Sure, just keep it covered and refrigerated overnight.

Cheesy Sausage Apple Breakfast Casserole topped with rosemary in a white dish, placed on a yellow textured cloth with a silver spoon—perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas breakfast.

Apple, Gouda and Sausage Casserole Recipe

5 from 13 votes

Sausage Apple Breakfast Casserole

This sausage apple breakfast casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Sweet apples, savory sausage and tangy sourdough come together with melted cheese and herbs. It’s a hearty, flavorful way to feed a group.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

  • ½ Loaf sourdough bread, about 7 Ounces
  • 16 Ounces breakfast sausage, ground
  • 2 Cups apple, Granny Smith, Pink Lady or MacIntosh – peeled and diced into ½-Inch pieces
  • 1 onion, small, diced
  • 6 eggs
  • ½ Cup milk
  • 1 Cup Gouda, or Havarti, shredded
  • ½ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ Teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ Teaspoon dried thyme
  • salt 
  • black pepper
  • fresh rosemary, for garnish 

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • Cut or tear the bread into bite size pieces and cover the bottom of the baking dish.  
  • In a large skillet, combine the sausage, onion and apples. Cook on medium high heat until sausage is fully browned and onions are translucent.  
  • Drain any excess liquid and mix in cinnamon, rosemary and thyme.  
  • Layer sausage mixture over the bread. Sprinkle half of the cheese on top. 
  • Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over the sausage mixture.  
  • Cover with the remaining cheese.  
  • Bake in the oven uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes. 

Notes

Let it rest before serving: This makes it easier to slice and improves texture.
Cut ingredients evenly: Uniform pieces help everything cook consistently.
Use day-old bread: Slightly dry bread soaks up the egg mixture better.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 535mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 2mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Sausage apple breakfast casserole combines sweet, savory and herby flavors into one cozy dish. The hearty mix of sausage, apples and sourdough soaks up a creamy egg mixture, while the cheese melts into every layer. Whether served at a weekend brunch, on a holiday morning or as a make-ahead breakfast, this recipe brings warmth and flavor to the table. Apple sausage breakfast casserole is simple to prepare, satisfying to eat and sure to become a repeat favorite.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 13 votes (3 ratings without comment)

16 Comments

    1. I used a 9 x 13-inch baking dish but another idea would be a smaller but deeper baking dish. Or you could make individual servings in individual ramekins if you have a set.

  1. 5 stars
    Nothing beats a hearty and filling breakfast like this one. Absolutely good and my kids love it, too!

  2. 5 stars
    Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends too!