Bagel Breakfast Casserole

Bagel Breakfast Casserole

🥯 Bagel Breakfast Casserole — The Morning Hero You Didn’t Know You Needed

If breakfast sandwiches and cozy casseroles had a brunch baby, this Bagel Breakfast Casserole would be the golden, cheesy bundle of joy.

 

Some breakfasts are quick and forgettable — a granola bar on the way out the door, a piece of toast you eat standing up while trying to find your keys. And then there are breakfasts that make you slow down, sit down, and actually enjoy the start of your day. This Bagel Breakfast Casserole falls firmly into that second category.

It’s the kind of dish that makes the whole house smell like comfort. The kind that has people wandering into the kitchen asking, “What’s cooking?” before you’ve even set the table. It’s hearty from the chewy bagel pieces, rich and creamy from the eggs and cheese, and just a little fancy thanks to the spinach and everything bagel seasoning. It’s the breakfast equivalent of wearing your coziest sweater while still looking put-together.

And here’s the best part — it’s ridiculously easy. We’re talking minimal prep, maximum flavor, and the option to make it ahead so you can actually sip your coffee while it bakes instead of frantically flipping pancakes. It’s perfect for holidays, lazy weekends, or those “I want to feel like I have my life together” Tuesdays.

This casserole is also endlessly adaptable. Want to swap the sausage for bacon? Go for it. Add roasted veggies? Yes, please. Make it spicy with jalapeños? I’m already applauding you. And because I know my readers love a little extra, I’ve packed this post with cooking tips, variations, grocery hacks, and even a leftover remix so you can get the most out of every delicious bite.

So grab your whisk, tear up those bagels, and let’s make a breakfast that will have everyone asking for seconds — and maybe even thirds.

We love our make ahead breakfast casseroles! We always do it for Christmas morning and every special occasion. We started loving recipes like this for family dinners. They are seriously good for every meal of the day!

This recipe has so many delicious flavors that it should please everyone in your house! It literally only takes minutes to throw together.

 

 

🧑‍🍳 Cooking Tips

• Bagel Choice: Plain bagels are classic, but everything bagels add extra flavor.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake in the morning.
• Cheese Swap: Try cheddar for a sharper flavor or pepper jack for a little kick.
• Spinach Trick: Wilt spinach slightly before adding to avoid excess moisture.

🎨 Recipe Variations

• Veggie Lovers: Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
• Meat Swap: Use bacon or ham instead of sausage.
• Southwest Style: Add diced green chiles and use Monterey Jack cheese.
• Mini Casseroles: Bake in muffin tins for grab-and-go portions.

👩‍👧 Kid Tips

• Let kids tear up the bagels — it’s fun and they can’t really mess it up.
• Have them sprinkle the cheese and seasoning on top.
• Serve with a side of fruit for a colorful plate.
• Make “breakfast boats” by baking the mixture inside hollowed-out bagel halves.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Buy bagels in bulk and freeze them — they thaw beautifully for casseroles.
• Use store-brand cheese and cream cheese to save money.
• Look for breakfast sausage on sale and freeze extra portions.
• Everything bagel seasoning is cheaper in bulk — check warehouse stores.

📣 Reader Challenge

This week’s challenge: Make Bagel Breakfast Casserole and give it your own twist! Maybe you add roasted veggies, maybe you swap in smoked salmon, maybe you make it spicy with jalapeños. Post your creation on Instagram with the hashtag #BagelCasseroleChallenge so we can all get inspired.

♻️ Leftover Remix

• Breakfast Sandwiches: Slice and tuck into toasted English muffins.
• Breakfast Quesadillas: Chop and fold into tortillas with extra cheese.
• Lunch Salad Topper: Cube and toss over greens for a protein boost.
• Freezer-Friendly: Wrap slices individually and freeze for quick breakfasts.

 

 

 

Bagel Breakfast Casserole

Print

Ingredients

• butter or nonstick cooking spray, for greasing the baking dish
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 8 ounces breakfast sausage, ( I used Jimmy Deans)
• 2 cups half and half
• 3/4 cup milk
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 8 large eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups packed baby spinach
• 2 large plain bagels, split and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning

Instructions

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up any clumps with a wooden spoon, until brown, about 5 minutes; transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
3. Whisk together the milk, half-and-half, red pepper flakes, eggs, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Fold in the sausage, spinach, bagels and 1 cup of the Mozzarella, then pour into the prepared baking dish. Dot the top with the cream cheese and sprinkle all over with the everything bagel seasoning and remaining cheese on top.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until the casserole is puffed, golden brown at the edges and set in the center, about 45 minutes more. Let cool 15 minutes before serving. 

🔢 Calorie Count & Nutritional Facts (Per Serving of Casserole)

(Based on 8 servings)

• Calories: ~420
• Protein: 21g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 780mg

💡 Note: This is breakfast comfort food — not a kale smoothie. Enjoy it, savor it, and maybe take a walk later if you feel like balancing things out.

 

💭 Final Thoughts

Bagel Breakfast Casserole is the kind of recipe that makes mornings feel special without making you feel like you’ve run a marathon before 9 a.m. It’s hearty, customizable, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Pair it with homemade garlic sticks and you’ve got yourself a brunch spread that could win awards (or at least a lot of compliments).

So here we are — you, me, and a casserole that could win over even the grumpiest morning person. Bagel Breakfast Casserole isn’t just food; it’s a mood. It’s the smell that gets people out of bed, the cheesy bite that makes them smile, and the reason they ask, “When are you making that again?”

It’s the perfect blend of savory sausage, creamy cheese, and that satisfying chew from the bagels. And when you serve it alongside something warm and garlicky for later in the day, you’ve basically mastered the art of feeding people well.

I hope you’ll take this recipe, make it your own, and share it with the people who make your mornings brighter. And when you do, I want to see it — your twists, your plating, your “oops, I ate half before taking a photo” moments. That’s what makes this little community so much fun.

So go ahead — preheat that oven, tear up those bagels, and let’s make something wonderful together. Because at the end of the day, the best recipes aren’t just about the food… they’re about the joy we mix in along the way.

Did you try our Bagel Breakfast Casserole? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram! 

 

 

MAKE AHEAD MEALS

 

Sloppy Joe Casserole is an fun variation on your favorite sloppy joes that’s delicious! The buns crisp up so nicely it marries perfectly with the beefy sloppy joe filling. It’s a quick and hearty weeknight dinner that the whole family will love!

 

 

Bubble Up Enchilada casserole is full of deliciousness and comes together in one pan an easy and delicious family dinner.

 

 

 

All the delicious flavor of the traditional dish but nestled all together into a mouth watering breakfast casserole.