Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Casserole: The Ultimate Southern Comfort Breakfast
Indulge in the heartwarming embrace of a truly delicious and easy-to-make Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Casserole. This beloved Southern classic is the perfect comfort food, versatile enough to brighten your brunch, kickstart your breakfast, or even serve as a satisfying dinner. Honestly, there’s no wrong time to savor the rich flavors of this incredible breakfast casserole, featuring savory sausage gravy baked with tender biscuits.
The Allure of Southern Comfort: A Culinary Journey
My journey into the world of Southern comfort food began thanks to my wonderful husband, who grew up in the heart of Alabama. Coming from near Seattle, my culinary background was quite different, and I honestly had little exposure to the soulful, hearty dishes of the South until we started dating. It was a delightful discovery!
As we traveled through the Southern states, visiting his family and exploring breathtaking national parks, I found myself falling deeply in love with the region’s vibrant culinary traditions. The flavors, the hospitality, and the sheer comfort embedded in every dish were truly captivating. Over the past few years, I’ve dedicated myself to expanding my Northwest cooking repertoire, proudly incorporating more flavors not just from the South, but from cuisines around the globe.
This Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Casserole quickly became one of my husband John’s absolute favorite comfort foods, and consequently, one of mine to make for him. What I truly appreciate about this recipe is its simplicity, especially since it utilizes refrigerator biscuits. While I aspire to master the art of making perfect Southern biscuits from scratch – without them turning into hockey pucks! – pre-made biscuits make this dish wonderfully accessible for busy mornings or weeknight dinners. Any tips for homemade biscuits are always greatly appreciated!
In fact, I’m currently developing a copycat Cracker Barrel Biscuit recipe, a project I’m incredibly excited to share with you soon. The past few months spent at home have provided the perfect opportunity to dive into those cherished recipes we’ve always talked about making but never quite got around to. It’s been a fantastic time for culinary exploration and creating new family favorites.
Are you finding yourself baking and cooking up a storm these days?
Essential Ingredients for Your Comfort Casserole
Crafting this incredible casserole requires just a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in building its iconic flavor profile. The beauty lies in their simplicity and how they come together to create something truly magical.
- Breakfast Sausage: The cornerstone of this dish, providing rich, savory flavor. Choose your favorite brand, whether it’s mild, spicy, or sage-infused.
- Butter: Essential for building a rich roux for the gravy, adding a silky texture and depth of flavor.
- Flour: The thickening agent for our luscious homemade gravy. All-purpose flour works perfectly.
- Salt & Pepper: Fundamental seasonings to enhance the savory notes of the sausage and gravy. Don’t be shy about seasoning to taste!
- Milk: The liquid base for the creamy gravy. Whole milk will yield the richest gravy, but 2% or even skim milk can be used, adjusting for thickness if needed.
- Refrigerator Biscuits: The ultimate shortcut for ease and convenience. These puff up beautifully, soaking up all the delicious gravy.
Recommended Equipment for a Seamless Cooking Experience
Having the right tools can make all the difference in the kitchen, turning cooking into an even more enjoyable process. For this casserole, a few key pieces of equipment will ensure a smooth and successful preparation.
Mix ‘n Chop / Hamburger Chopper: This seemingly simple tool is a game-changer for breaking up ground meat, especially breakfast sausage, into fine, even crumbles as it browns. It makes quick work of what could otherwise be a tedious task, ensuring your sausage is perfectly cooked and distributed throughout the casserole.
9×13 Casserole Dish: The ideal vessel for baking this hearty dish. Its size allows for an even spread of ingredients, ensuring everything cooks through beautifully and the biscuits achieve that golden-brown perfection on top. A sturdy ceramic or glass dish will serve you well.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Casserole Every Time
Achieving a truly outstanding casserole is easier than you think, especially with a few handy tips. These pointers will help you navigate the cooking process with confidence, ensuring a delicious outcome.
Pre-Measure for Success: I cannot stress this enough – measuring out all your ingredients before you begin (this is called “mise en place”) makes a world of difference. Having everything lined up and ready to go streamlines the process, especially when making the gravy. You won’t have to scramble for ingredients, preventing the flour from burning or realizing too late that you don’t have enough milk. This simple step reduces stress and guarantees a smoother cooking experience.
Grease Your Dish Generously: Always remember to generously spray your baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents the casserole from sticking to the bottom and sides, making it infinitely easier to scoop out perfect servings and simplifying the cleanup process afterward. A well-greased dish is a happy dish!
Effortless Sausage Browning: For perfectly crumbled breakfast sausage, a hamburger chopper or a mix ‘n chop tool is your best friend. It quickly breaks up the meat as it browns in the skillet, ensuring an even cook and preventing large, unappetizing clumps. This tool saves time and effort, yielding a more appealing texture for your casserole.
Biscuit Choices: When it comes to refrigerator biscuits, you have options! We often use buttermilk or layered biscuits, depending on what’s available at the grocery store. For an extra boost of rich flavor, consider opting for butter-flavored biscuits. They add another layer of deliciousness to the casserole, complementing the savory gravy beautifully.
Give Biscuits Room to Grow: When you arrange the quartered biscuits on top of the sausage and gravy mixture, try to give them a little space. They will puff up significantly as they bake, expanding to fill in the casserole dish and creating a delightful, golden-brown crust. Don’t worry if there are small gaps initially; they’ll disappear as the biscuits rise.
Gravy Consistency is Key: Pay close attention to your gravy as it simmers. You want it to be thick enough to cling to the sausage but still pourable. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk; if it’s too thin, let it simmer gently for a few more minutes to reduce, or make a very small slurry of flour and water and whisk it in gradually.
Don’t Rush the Browning: Ensure your sausage is thoroughly browned and cooked before removing it from the skillet. This builds the foundational flavor for your gravy, as the drippings are crucial for a rich, authentic taste. A deep brown color signifies well-developed flavor.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
This Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Casserole is incredibly satisfying on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with other breakfast staples or can be adapted for a unique twist.
For Breakfast or Brunch: Serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad for a burst of color and sweetness, scrambled eggs, or a side of crispy bacon or hash browns. A cup of hot coffee or orange juice completes the perfect morning meal.
For a Hearty Dinner: This casserole makes an excellent weeknight dinner. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness, or serve it with steamed green beans for a complete meal.
Casserole Variations:
- Cheesy Delight: Sprinkle a cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage and gravy mixture before topping with biscuits for an extra gooey and savory layer.
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, use spicy breakfast sausage or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your gravy. A dash of hot sauce on top of your serving can also add a delightful zing.
- Veggie Boost: Sauté some finely diced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms with your sausage for added flavor and nutrition.
- Herby Freshness: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives over the finished casserole before serving can add a vibrant touch and fresh aroma.
Explore More Southern Delights
If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting flavors of the South, you’ll certainly want to try some of these other fantastic recipes. They bring the warmth and heartiness of Southern cooking right to your kitchen.
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole: A cult classic that’s perfect for any potluck or family meal.
7-Up Biscuits: Incredibly light and fluffy biscuits with a secret ingredient.
Kielbasa and Green Beans: A simple, flavorful, and easy slow-cooker meal.
Bourbon Baked Beans: A smoky, sweet, and savory side dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Creamed Corn: Rich, creamy, and wonderfully sweet, a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Don’t forget to check out all of our casserole recipes for more easy and comforting meal ideas!
Discover More Recipe Inspirations
Are you a passionate home cook always on the hunt for new and exciting recipes? Then you’ll love exploring our extensive collection! Dive into our copycat recipes to recreate your restaurant favorites at home, sweeten your day with our delightful dessert recipes, or simplify mealtime with our convenient Crock-Pot Recipes.
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Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Casserole Recipe
Learn how to make this delicious and easy Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Casserole, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner! Made with convenient refrigerator biscuits, savory sausage, and homemade creamy gravy, this recipe delivers incredible flavor. It’s the ultimate Southern comfort food you can effortlessly create in your own kitchen.
5 from 1 vote
Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 454 kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 1 pound Breakfast sausage
- 2 Tablespoon Butter
- ¼ cup All Purpose Flour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 3 cups Milk
- 16.3 oz Refrigerator Biscuits
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick spray.
- Cook breakfast sausage over medium heat until browned and completely cooked. Remove sausage from skillet and place in casserole dish.
- Add butter to skillet with sausage drippings. Once the butter is melted, add in flour, salt, and pepper and stir until thickened and turning brown.
- Pour in milk, stir frequently until milk simmers, and cook for a few minutes until thickened.
- Pour gravy over sausage in the casserole dish.
- Cut refrigerator biscuits into quarters and place on top of the sausage mixture.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the biscuits are golden brown.
Kitchen Tools
- Hamburger Mix and Chop
- 9×13 Casserole Dish
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 252
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