Description
This hearty Pancake Sausage Casserole combines fluffy pancake layers with savory breakfast sausage, baked to golden perfection. Ideal for a comforting brunch or breakfast gathering, this dish is easy to prepare, baked in one dish, and can be enhanced with sweet toppings like maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 2 cups pancake mix
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Optional Toppings
- Additional maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat and set the sausage aside.
- Make Pancake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the pancake mix, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined without lumps.
- Layer Batter in Dish: Pour half of the prepared pancake batter evenly into the greased baking dish.
- Add Sausage Layer: Sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the pancake batter layer in the baking dish.
- Top with Remaining Batter: Pour the remaining pancake batter over the sausage layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula to cover the sausage completely.
- Drizzle Butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the casserole to add richness and help create a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The casserole is done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set before slicing.
- Serve: Serve the casserole warm with optional toppings such as additional maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure the sausage is fully cooked before layering to avoid undercooked meat in the casserole.
- Grease the baking dish well to make serving easier and prevent sticking.
- You can use your favorite pancake mix or homemade batter for better control over sweetness and texture.
- Adjust the cinnamon and maple syrup amounts based on your preference for sweetness and spice.
- For a healthier version, use lean sausage or turkey sausage and low-fat milk.
- This casserole can be prepared the night before and baked fresh in the morning for convenience.
