Introduction
This dish takes the classic, hand-held favorite of pigs in a blanket and transforms it into an easy, crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole. You get all the comforting flavors of flaky pastry, savory sausage, and melted cheese in one simple bake. It’s the perfect solution for a weekend brunch or a make-ahead breakfast that feeds a hungry family with minimal effort.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2 tubes refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 16 link sausage ({cooked through})
- 2 cups cheese ({shredded} – I used colby jack)
- 5 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk (- I used 1%)
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon fresh parsley ({chopped}-OPTIONAL)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Unroll one tube of crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, sealing any perforations to create a solid layer.
- Arrange the 16 cooked sausage links in a single layer on top of the crescent roll dough.
- Sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded cheese evenly over the sausage layer.
- Unroll the second tube of crescent roll dough and layer it on top of the cheese, again pressing seams together.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 5 large eggs, 1 ½ cups milk, ½ teaspoon seasoning salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
- Slowly and evenly pour the egg mixture over the top layer of crescent dough. Gently shake the dish to ensure the liquid settles throughout.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing. If using, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Variations
- Mini Casserole Muffins: Use a muffin tin to create individual portions. Press a square of crescent dough into each cup, add a half-sausage link, cheese, and the egg mixture. Reduce baking time.
- Herb-Infused Crust: Before placing the top layer of dough, sprinkle it lightly with a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs like oregano.
- Dipping Style: Bake the casserole slightly less (so it’s a bit softer), cut it into strips, and serve with small bowls of maple syrup, ketchup, or mustard for dipping.
- Cheese Pull Focus: For a dramatic cheese pull, place half the cheese on the bottom layer under the sausages and the other half on top before adding the final dough layer.
Tips for Success
- Ensure your sausage links are cooked through and patted dry before adding to prevent excess grease from making the casserole soggy.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This allows the egg layer to fully set, making it much easier to slice cleanly.
- Don’t over-whisk the egg mixture; just mix until the yolks and whites are fully incorporated to avoid creating too many air bubbles.
- For a deeper golden top, you can brush the top crescent dough layer with a little melted butter or an egg wash before baking.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, or reheat the entire casserole, covered with foil, in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
FAQ
Can I make this the night before?
Yes, for an overnight casserole, assemble everything through step 7, cover tightly, and refrigerate. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking as directed.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, gouda, or a Mexican blend would all work perfectly in this recipe.
What can I use instead of seasoning salt?
You can use ¼ teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, plus an extra ¼ teaspoon of regular salt as a substitute.
My casserole is still jiggly in the middle.
This means it needs more time. Cover the top loosely with foil to prevent over-browning and bake in 5-minute increments until the center is set.
Can I use uncooked sausage links?
No, it’s important that the sausages are pre-cooked through. Using raw links will result in undercooked sausage and excess grease in your casserole.
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
While the texture will be different, yes, a sheet of thawed puff pastry can be used for each layer. The baking time may vary slightly.




