Sausage Cream Cheese Casserole

Ingredients

· 1 lb Breakfast Sausage (mild or hot), bulk or casings removed

· 1 tbsp Butter or Avocado Oil

· ½ medium Onion, diced

· ½ cup Bell Pepper (any color), diced

· 2 cloves Garlic, minced

· 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened

· 4 large Eggs

· ½ cup Heavy Cream

· 1 (10 oz) can Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies (like Rotel), drained or 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

· 1 ½ cups Shredded Cheese (a blend of Cheddar & Monterey Jack is perfect), divided

· 1 tsp Italian Seasoning

· ½ tsp Paprika

· Salt and Black Pepper, to taste

· Sliced Green Onions, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking dish (or a similar-sized casserole dish).

Cook Sausage and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spatula, until it’s browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving a little bit of the drippings in the pan.

· Add the butter to the same skillet. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.

· Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.

Combine the Wet Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, eggs, and heavy cream. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, beat until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.

Assemble the Casserole:

· To the wet mixture, add the cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, drained diced tomatoes, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly combined.

· Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

· Top with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese.

Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, the center is set, and doesn’t jiggle when you shake the pan.

· For a extra-golden top, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes (watch closely!).

Rest and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows it to set properly. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired, and serve.

Enjoy !