Delicious Breakfast Casserole

I decided to host a brunch for one of my friend's birthdays this weekend.  I get a slew of new recipes together and went to town.  I am used to making breakfast for a crowd (with Chicago Cares), but not a brunch with..lets say..mimosas? 

 

I made this casserole, and loved it.  Here is my version below:

 

Level: Easy to Medium
Time: Prep 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes

• pound Italian sweet sausage, casings removed
• 1/2 cup chopped shallots
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 large eggs
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

 

 

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Sauté sausage in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until brown and cooked through, breaking up with back of fork into small pieces, about 10 minutes. Add shallots and garlic and sauté 3 minutes. Spread sausage mixture in prepared dish. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

 

Whisk eggs, egg yolks, half and half, whipping cream, 1 1/2 cups cheese in large bowl to blend well. Pour egg mixture over sausage mixture in dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over. Bake until top of casserole is golden brown and knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

 

I omitted the sundried tomatoes and salt because (I had a sundried tomato accident in the kitchen..I bought the wrong ones!).  I omitted the salt bc I don't usually ever cook with salt, especially if other ingredients in the recipe have a high salt content.  It definitely did not need the salt with the sausage and the cheese.  Definitely amazing.  It does serve about 8-10 people, so this is a recipe for a crowd!