Christmas morning is one of the most common times for families to prepare a breakfast casserole. By assembling the ingredients in the baking dish the night before and refrigerating, the cook can be a part of the morning activities without having to take time out to make breakfast. The casserole simply is pulled from the refrigerator, allowed to stand at room temperature for a while, and then baked while other holiday events are on going. Breakfast casserole recipes vary in ingredients. Here are a few to consider for your next busy morning meal.

• 1 1/2 rolls ground sausage (about 24 oz total)
• 9 eggs
• 12 slices bread
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 3 cups milk

Remove crust from bread, cut into cubes Brown sausage; drain and let cool.

1. Beat eggs with milk; add salt, pepper, and mustard.
2. Add bread, cheese and sausage.
3. Pour into a buttered 9x13x2 dish.
4. Refrigerate overnight.
5. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.
6. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes, or until set.
7. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

• 10 cups white bread cut into 1" cubes
• 12 eggs
• 2 cups half and half
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Fill 2 quart buttered baking dish with bread cubes.
2. Lightly beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in half and half, milk, 1/2 cup sugar, chocolate chips, walnuts and vanilla. Gradually pour over bread cubes.
3. Refrigerate until most of the liquid has been absorbed by bread, about 5 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Sprinkle bread mixture with remaining sugar.
5. Bake 1 hour; cover with foil.
6. Bake additional 25 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean.

• 1 pound pork sausage
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 4 cups shredded CoJack cheese
• 8 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1. Brown sausage with onion over medium heat.
2. Pour in greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
3. Sprinkle with cheese.
4. Mix eggs and soup; pour over cheese.
5. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30-35 minutes
6. When knife inserted near the center comes out clean the casserole is done.
7. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Breakfast casseroles make the morning meal easier or dress up a brunch beyond just eggs. The recipes included can be varied by meat type. Egg beaters can be used in place of eggs to reduce cholesterol intake.Low fat milks can also be used to reduce fat content.