Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Serves: 10-12 people
 
Ingredients
  • 4-6 large croissants (day old are best)
  • 1 lb Italian or spicy sausage
  • 2 cups chopped onion*
  • 1-2 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 cups grated Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, or a combo
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1½ cups half and half
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Spray a 9x13 or large casserole dish with cooking spray.
  2. Tear the croissants into large chunks and lay in pan close together. The rolls should cover the bottom of the pan.
  3. Brown the sausage in a non-stick frying pan.
  4. Drain grease and place cooked sausage in a plate lined with paper towels to collect any extra grease. Press the paper towels around the sausage to squeeze out any remaining grease.
  5. Distribute the meat evenly across the croissants.
  6. Wipe out the pan you cooked the meat in with a paper towel and cook the chopped onion over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes or until softened, add one tablespoon oil or butter if needed. Add spinach to pan and cook just until the spinach is wilted.
  7. Pour cooked onions and spinach over top of sausage. Top with grated cheese.
  8. Beat the eggs and half and half together in a blender or bowl. Add the dry mustard, salt and pepper.
  9. Pour this mixture over the rolls in the pan. Cover with foil that has been sprayed with cooking oil (on side facing eggs) and store overnight in refrigerator.
  10. The next morning, remove casserole from fridge, preheat oven to 375 and place rack in middle of oven.
  11. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then carefully remove foil and bake until top is slightly puffed and custard is set in center, about 30 minutes more.
  12. Let cool for 10 minutes, cut into 12 squares and serve immediately with hot sauce & salsa.
Notes
-You could use breakfast sausage if you prefer that over italian sausage. The italian sausage (I used mild) added a nice spice to the dish. But I would use something with some spice.
-If you don't love a lot of onions, go with 1 cup.
Recipe by Baked in AZ at http://bakedinaz.com/overnight-croissant-breakfast-casserole/