Description
This Pancake Sausage Casserole is a delicious and hearty breakfast dish combining savory sausage with fluffy pancake batter. Perfect for serving a crowd, it bakes to a golden perfection with optional melted cheddar cheese on top, making it a comforting and satisfying meal that pairs beautifully with a drizzle of maple syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (mild or spicy)
Pancake Batter
- 1 1/2 cups pancake mix (or 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 tablespoon sugar + 1 teaspoon baking powder + 1/2 teaspoon baking soda)
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (plus extra for serving)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat, then set the cooked sausage aside.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pancake mix (or the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda if making from scratch), milk, eggs, vanilla extract, melted butter, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Layer the Sausage: Spread the cooked sausage evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
- Add the Batter: Pour the pancake batter evenly over the sausage layer, distributing it carefully for even cooking.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Add Cheese (Optional): If using cheddar cheese, sprinkle it over the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking to allow it to melt and bubble beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Cut into squares and drizzle with extra maple syrup before serving for added sweetness and flavor.
Notes
- You can use mild or spicy sausage depending on your preferred heat level.
- Substitute pancake mix ingredients with your own blend of flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda if desired.
- Cheddar cheese is optional but adds a nice savory contrast to the sweet maple syrup.
- For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based milk and butter substitute.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
