Basic Breakfast Casserole

If you still have out of town guests lingering around the house, this is the perfect easy breakfast for a lot of people.  Or great for a lazy weekend with leftovers for the week.  Seriously, a breakfast that makes tasty leftovers.  There are a lot of breakfast casseroles out there, but this one is super simple, easy, and basic.  No need for a lot of fussy ingredients.  Prep the night before, and throw it in the oven the next morning.

Basic Breakfast Casserole
10-12 oz good quality, "day old" bread (I used a sourdough)
1 lb breakfast sausage (I used a combo of Jimmy Dean hot and reduced fat)
10 large eggs
1 C milk (any kind you like)
1 1/2 C shredded sharp cheddar
1 tsp sage
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
cooking spray

   Cook sausage over medium heat until cooked through.  Crumble as you cook it.  Drain excess water and fat.
   Tear bread into roughly 1 inch pieces.  Toss with sausage and 1-1 1/4 C of the cheese in a large bowl.
   Combine eggs, milk, sage, garlic, salt and pepper.  Pour over bread and sausage.  Cover and allow to soak together in the refrigerator overnight.
   Pour soaked mixture into a lightly sprayed 13x9 baking dish top with the reserved cheese.
   Bake at 350 deg F for 35-45 minutes.  Cover with foil for the first 20-25 minutes of baking.
   Serves 8.

Ingredient count:  7
freebies:  salt, pepper, cooking spray