Quick & Easy Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole

Growing up, my mom’s go-to breakfast for holiday mornings was always this crescent roll casserole. She’d prep it the night before, pop it in the oven while we opened presents, and soon the whole house would smell like warm, cheesy goodness.

I remember thinking it was some complicated recipe that only moms knew how to make. Years later, when she finally showed me how to put it together, I couldn’t believe how simple it was.

These days, I make it for my own family on lazy weekend mornings, and honestly, it’s become our favorite breakfast tradition. The best part? You can throw it together in about 15 minutes, and the oven does all the real work.

Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole

• Make-ahead friendly – You can prep this casserole the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning – perfect for busy holiday mornings or weekend brunches.
• Simple ingredients – Everything you need is likely already in your fridge or can be grabbed quickly from any grocery store – just basic breakfast staples like eggs, cheese, and crescent rolls.
• Kid-approved – The combination of buttery crescent rolls, melty cheese, and savory sausage makes this a breakfast that the whole family will happily dig into.
• Great for feeding crowds – One casserole can feed 8-10 people, making it perfect for family gatherings or brunch parties, and you won’t have to stand at the stove flipping individual portions.

What Kind of Crescent Roll Dough Should I Use?

Regular refrigerated crescent roll dough from the dairy case works perfectly for this breakfast casserole, and you’ll find several brands to choose from at your local grocery store.

While the name-brand Pillsbury crescents are probably the most well-known, store brands will work just as well and often cost a bit less. Look for the original style rather than the butter-flavored or other variations – this gives you the most reliable results for a breakfast casserole.

Just make sure to check the expiration date and keep the dough cold until you’re ready to use it, as it can be tricky to work with if it gets too warm.

Suggestions for Ingredient Substitution

This breakfast casserole is pretty adaptable to what you have in your kitchen.

• Breakfast sausage: you can use ground turkey sausage for a lighter option, or swap in diced ham or crumbled bacon – just make sure to cook the meat first.
• Crescent roll dough: while it is ideal for the base, you could use a tube of pizza dough or even frozen puff pastry (thawed) in a pinch.
• Colby-jack cheese: can be replaced with any melting cheese you prefer – mozzarella, cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend all work great.
• Milk: feel free to use whatever type you have on hand, including non-dairy options like almond or oat milk, though whole milk gives the richest results.

How to Know When the Breakfast Casserole is Done

A perfectly cooked breakfast casserole should have a golden brown top and feel firm when you gently press the center with your fingertip.

To make sure the eggs are fully set, insert a knife into the middle – it should come out clean without any wet egg mixture.

The edges will pull away slightly from the sides of the pan, and the crescent roll base should feel firm, not doughy, when you poke it with a fork.

If you’re not sure, give the pan a gentle shake – the casserole shouldn’t jiggle in the middle, though a slight movement around the edges is fine.

What to Serve With Breakfast Casserole?

This hearty breakfast casserole is already packed with protein and carbs, so I like to balance it out with some lighter sides.

• Fresh fruit is always a winner – try a simple mixed berry bowl or some citrus segments to add a bright, fresh element to the plate.
• A side of crispy hash browns or home fries works great if you’re feeding a really hungry crowd, and they’re perfect for soaking up any extra eggs.
• For a complete brunch spread, add some yogurt parfaits or a light green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to round out the meal.

Storage Instructions

• Fridge: This breakfast casserole keeps really well in the fridge for up to 3 days – just store it in an airtight container once it’s completely cooled.
• Make ahead: You can prep the entire casserole the night before – assemble everything as directed, cover with plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge overnight, then bake it fresh in the morning (you might need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time).
• Freezer: If you want to freeze it, let the baked casserole cool completely, wrap it tightly in foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months – just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	35-40 minutes
Total Time	45-55 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 100-120 g
• Fat: 150-170 g
• Carbohydrates: 80-100 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
• 1 (8 oz) tube refrigerated crescent dough
• 8 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups grated colby-jack cheese (fiesta blend or cheddar can also be used)

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Sausage

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

Take a 13×9 inch baking dish and spray it thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Set it aside.

In a large skillet, cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until it is no longer pink.

As you cook, break the sausage into crumbles for even distribution in the casserole.

Once done, drain the sausage to remove excess grease.

Step 2: Arrange the Crescent Roll Dough

Open the tube of crescent roll dough and carefully unroll it.

Place the dough into the prepared baking dish, lining the bottom completely.

Make sure to press and seal any seams to create a solid dough layer on the bottom of the dish.

Step 3: Layer Sausage and Cheese

Evenly sprinkle the cooked sausage over the crescent roll-lined baking dish.

Add half of the cheese over the sausage, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.

Save the remaining cheese for the top layer.

Step 4: Prepare and Add Egg Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.

Whisk the ingredients together until thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth.

Pour this egg mixture over the sausage and cheese that are already in the baking dish.

Step 5: Top with Remaining Cheese and Bake

Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the egg mixture.

Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for approximately 35-40 minutes.

To check for doneness, insert a knife into the center; if it comes out clean or with no runny egg, the casserole is ready.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow it to set up a bit.

This dish pairs wonderfully with salsa, sliced tomatoes, sour cream, green onions, and black olives.

Enjoy your hearty breakfast casserole!