Description
This Pancake Sausage Casserole is a delightful and hearty breakfast dish combining fluffy buttermilk pancakes with savory browned sausage, baked to golden perfection. Ideal for family brunches, it layers pancake batter and sausage in a greased baking dish, then bakes to create a comforting, finger-pleasing casserole that’s both sweet and savory with a touch of maple syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups buttermilk pancake mix
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (bulk or links)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp butter (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a large baking dish thoroughly with 2 tablespoons of butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Cook the sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it is browned and crumbly. Make sure to break the sausage into small pieces for even cooking. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Mix the batter: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of buttermilk pancake mix with 1 cup whole milk and 4 large eggs. Stir gently until just combined; some lumps in the batter are acceptable for fluffier pancakes.
- Add syrup and sausage to batter: Fold in half of the pure maple syrup (about 1/4 cup) along with some of the cooked sausage bits. This infuses the sweetness and savory flavors evenly throughout the batter.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking dish, then layer the remaining cooked sausage evenly on top. Finally, pour the rest of the batter over the sausage, creating distinct layers.
- Bake the casserole: Place the uncovered baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole springs back lightly when pressed, indicating it is fully cooked through.
Notes
- Use bulk sausage or remove casing from links for easier crumbling and even distribution.
- Leaving lumps in the batter helps maintain a fluffy texture similar to pancakes.
- Drain excess grease from sausage well to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Maple syrup can be adjusted or substituted with honey for a different sweetness profile.
- Serve with additional maple syrup on the side for extra sweetness if desired.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking for easier slicing and serving.
