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Nothing beats waking up and catching whiffs of a warm sausage pancake bake drifting from your oven. This simple one-dish morning meal mixes crumbly savory sausage with the sweet, fluffy taste of pancakes. Great for slow weekends or feeding lots of people without much hassle.
My family always wants it most around the holidays. The first time we tried it was one rushed Sunday—nobody had the patience to flip pancakes, but we wanted something fun!
Delicious Ingredients
- Cooking spray or soft butter: Use this to coat your dish so nothing sticks later
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into gooey spots for a rich bite. Go for sharp cheddar if you want strong flavor
- Ground cinnamon: Toss in for cozy fall-like spice, especially when it’s chilly outside
- Pure maple syrup: Brings in natural sweetness. Not required but totally worth it
- Melted butter: This keeps the inside moist and gives a rich flavor—European style is tasty if you want to try it
- Vanilla extract: Makes the whole thing smell dreamy, especially if you use a bottle of real vanilla
- Large egg: Holds the batter together. Look for eggs with creamy yolks for color and taste
- Whole milk: Fresh whole milk adds extra creaminess
- Pancake mix: Grab a simple, quality mix (preferably with less junk in it)
- Breakfast sausage: Pick your favorite—spicy, sweet, or classic. Just make sure it’s bright pink and smells good
Easy Instructions
- Cool and Serve:
- Give it five minutes or so to relax before slicing so it holds up. Warm and ready for a drizzle of syrup if you’re in the mood for extra sweet
- Bake the Casserole:
- Pop your baking dish right in the center of your hot oven. Let it cook about 25–30 minutes. You’re looking for golden top and a toothpick that comes out clean
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Start with half the pancake batter in your pan and spread it out for a base. Scatter all the cooked sausage on, sprinkle on cheese if you want, then bury everything under the rest of your batter
- Mix the Pancake Batter:
- In a big bowl, whisk together pancake mix, milk, eggs, vanilla, melted butter—and if you want, some maple syrup and cinnamon. Don’t worry about lumps
- Cook the Sausage:
- Brown sausage over medium and crumble as you cook. Once it’s totally cooked through with no pink, drain off any extra grease so the bake doesn’t get soggy
- Prepare the Dish:
- Coat your 9x13 pan in butter or spray—even the corners—so the bake comes out easily
- Preheat Your Oven:
- Fire up your oven to 375. Make sure it’s all the way hot before you get started so everything cooks evenly
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The crunchy golden edges are the best, with hot melty cheese tucked inside. This is the first thing my youngest ever made, and now he volunteers to do all the whisking every time.
Storing Leftovers
Just let everything cool off, then pop slices in a sealed container or wrap up the baking dish. Keeps in the fridge for a few days. For longer, freeze well-wrapped pieces up to a month. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven to bring back the texture.
Swaps and Options
You can use veggie or turkey sausage if you want something lighter. Oat or almond milk works instead of whole milk. Try a gluten-free pancake mix or trade cheddar for Jack or mozzarella if that’s what you like.
How to Serve It
Dish it up with a splash more maple syrup, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or fresh berries on top. Got a brunch crowd? Throw in crispy hash browns or some sliced fruit on the side.
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Background
This type of breakfast casserole has roots in big get-togethers like church potlucks or holiday mornings. It’s a classic in American comfort food, made for sharing and keeping things easy.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → Is it okay to use sausage that's already cooked?
That’s fine. Just crumble it and layer it right in—skip extra cooking time.
- → Do I need to use maple syrup, or is that extra?
It’s totally up to you. Maple syrup brings sweetness, but you can easily leave it out or just keep it on the table.
- → What's the sign that it finished baking?
When the top looks golden brown and a toothpick poked in comes out clear, it’s ready to dig in.
- → Can I make this bake the night before?
Yup, go ahead and layer everything, chill overnight, and just bake in the morning so it stays nice and fresh.
- → What goes well on the side with this?
Try it with some fresh fruit, a bowl of yogurt, or a simple green salad to round things out.