Description
This Cottage Cheese Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, protein-packed dish perfect for a nutritious start to your day. Combining savory breakfast sausage, fresh vegetables, creamy cottage cheese, and melty colby jack cheese, this casserole bakes to a golden perfection with a delightful texture and balanced flavors. It’s easy to prepare, feeds a crowd, and makes great leftovers for busy mornings.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 6 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped (for serving)
Protein and Dairy
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 12 large eggs
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 8 ounces colby jack cheese, grated (divided)
Pantry
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp sea salt (to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9” x 13” casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the avocado oil in a large thick-bottomed pot or deep 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes until fragrant.
- Cook Sausage: Add the raw breakfast sausage to the pot. Use a spatula to break it into small pieces and cook, stirring frequently, until fully browned and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add Vegetables and Flour: Stir in the diced red bell pepper, chopped baby spinach, sea salt, and black pepper. Cook until the spinach wilts. Then mix in the all-purpose flour to bind the mixture slightly. Remove from heat and allow it to cool briefly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the sausage and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out in a flat layer.
- Mix Eggs and Cheese: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs until well beaten. Add the cottage cheese and half of the grated colby jack cheese, mixing thoroughly to combine.
- Combine and Assemble: Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the sausage layer in the casserole dish. Gently stir with a fork or spoon to distribute the egg mixture evenly among the sausage and veggies.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining colby jack cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 25-35 minutes until the eggs are fully set and the cheese is golden brown. For extra crispy cheese, broil for 4-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. Verify doneness by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped green onions and optional toppings like sour cream, salsa, sliced avocado, or parmesan cheese if desired.
- Storage: Wrap leftover casserole tightly and refrigerate for up to 7 days, or freeze portions in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Using a deep 12-inch skillet helps evenly cook the sausage and veggies before baking.
- Allow the sausage mixture to cool slightly before adding the egg mixture to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
- The all-purpose flour acts as a binder to help the casserole set nicely.
- The casserole can be customized with different cheeses or additional vegetables as preferred.
- Check doneness with a food thermometer to avoid undercooked eggs.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
