Pancake Sausage Breakfast Bake – Sweet, Savory & Oven-Ready!
Get ready for the ultimate breakfast-meets-casserole experience with this amazing Pancake Sausage Breakfast Bake! Imagine golden, fluffy pancake layers infused with maple warmth, nestled amongst savory, crispy breakfast sausage, and optionally dotted with melty cheddar cheese. All baked together into a convenient, brunch-worthy casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for easy make-ahead breakfasts. It’s the best of sweet and savory, all in one delightful, oven-ready dish!
Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Bake
- Sweet & Savory Balance: The perfect combination of classic breakfast flavors in every bite.
- Easy & Oven-Ready: Minimal hands-on time; simply assemble and bake.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Ideal for family brunches, holiday mornings, or feeding a hungry group.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be assembled the night before for a stress-free morning.
- Comfort Food at its Best: A warm, hearty, and incredibly satisfying dish.
What You’ll Need
Gather these simple ingredients to craft your amazing Pancake Sausage Breakfast Bake:
Ingredients (Serves 6–8):
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (ground pork, turkey, or veggie sausage)
- 2 cups pancake mix (complete mix, just add water, or your favorite from-scratch dry mix)
- 1 ½ cups milk (or water, depending on pancake mix instructions)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup maple syrup, plus more for serving
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, but highly recommended for a savory touch)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or butter (for cooking sausage)
Instructions: Cook, Mix, Assemble, and Bake!
1. Cook the Sausage:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet, cook the 1 lb breakfast sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease thoroughly. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Pancake Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups pancake mix, 1 ½ cups milk (or water, as per your mix instructions), and 2 large eggs. Whisk until just combined. A few lumps are fine; do not overmix, as overmixing leads to tough pancakes. Stir in the ¼ cup maple syrup into the pancake batter.
3. Assemble the Breakfast Bake:
Pour about half of the prepared pancake batter into the greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle half of the cooked, drained breakfast sausage evenly over the batter. If using, sprinkle half of the 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage layer. Carefully pour the remaining pancake batter over the sausage and cheese layers, spreading it gently to cover. Top with the remaining cooked breakfast sausage and the remaining shredded cheddar cheese (if using).
4. Bake to Golden Perfection:
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the pancake bake is golden brown, puffed up, and cooked through in the center (a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean). Baking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the bake.
5. Rest, Slice, and Serve:
Remove the Pancake Sausage Breakfast Bake from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut neat portions. Slice into squares and serve warm with extra maple syrup on the side. Enjoy your incredibly delicious and convenient brunch!
Tips for a Top-Notch Breakfast Bake
- Drain Sausage Well: This is crucial! Excess grease from the sausage can make your bake oily and heavy.
- Don’t Overmix Pancake Batter: Just like regular pancakes, overmixing leads to tough results. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated.
- Complete Pancake Mix: Using a “complete” pancake mix (just add water or milk) simplifies the recipe even further. If using a mix that requires eggs/oil, follow those instructions, but still add the additional eggs and maple syrup as specified in this recipe for consistency.
- Cheese is Optional, but Great: The cheddar cheese adds a wonderful savory and tangy note that balances the sweetness of the maple and pancake, creating that perfect sweet-savory combination.
- Make Ahead Option: You can assemble this bake the night before! Cover the assembled baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. In the morning, remove from the fridge about 20-30 minutes before baking, then bake as directed (you might need to add 5-10 minutes to the total baking time).
- Add-ins: Feel free to get creative! Add a sprinkle of cooked, crumbled bacon, or a handful of fresh blueberries to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
- Serving Suggestions: This bake is a complete meal on its own, but a side of fresh fruit or a glass of juice would complement it perfectly.
This Pancake Sausage Breakfast Bake is a fantastic way to enjoy a hearty and delicious breakfast or brunch without the fuss of flipping individual pancakes. It’s warm, comforting, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!