Sausage and Egg Casserole

Today, we held a breakfast at our office to say goodbye to two of our coworkers who are leaving us this week. You know me, I always love FOOD days! This recipe is courtesy of Jim, whom I share an office with, and his wife, whom I asked permission to be able to share this. (THANKS SO MUCH, if should ever read this blog)!! I could hardly wait to get home to share it with you!! It was absolutely delicious and my favorite thing there. I have never had one like this! This is the recipe just as she sent it over to Jim via email with all of her notes about the recipe. I kid you not, I ate one of my co-worker's leftovers after she scooped it onto my plate. I'm really surprised I am not 500 pounds!!

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SAUSAGE & EGG CASSEROLE
JANICE CLIFFORD

(SERVES 8 TO 12 DEPENDING ON SIZE OF SERVING)

10 SLICES OF WHITE BREAD (CRUSTS REMOVED AND CUT IN MEDIUM SIZE CUBES)
3 CUPS GRATED SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE
1 LB SAUSAGE (BROWNED AND DRAINED) I PREFER HOT SAUSAGE
1 JAR SLICED MUSHROOMS (DRAINED) AND ADDED TO SAUSAGE
1 CUP MILK
8 EGGS
1/2 TEASPOON DRY MUSTARD (I MAKE IT WITH & WITHOUT--IT ADDS A ZIP)
1 CAN CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP
1/2 SOUP CAN OF MILK
SALT & PEPPER TO TASTE

MAKE AT LEAST THE NIGHT BEFORE SERVING. GREASE 9 X 14 PYREX DISH (I SPRAY WITH PAM); LAYER WITH BREAD FIRST, THEN CHEESE & SAUSAGE; BEAT EGGS, 1 CUP MILK AND SALT, PEPPER; DRY MUSTARD; POUR EVENLY OVER TOP; COVER AND REFRIGERATE OVERNIGHT. BEFORE BAKING MIX CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP AND 1/2 CAN MILK AND SPREAD ON TOP (THIS CREATES ALMOST A SAWMILL GRAVY EFFECT). BAKE 40 TO 45 MINUTES AT 350.

(SOMETIMES I SAUTE ONIONS, MUSHROOMS AND GREEN PEPPERS WITH THE SAUSAGE AND SERVE WITH SALSA)

I used a 9x13 baking dish and it worked just fine.
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I have been thinking about my grandfather a lot this week (we called him CaCa...long story). My mom found a letter that he wrote to us when he was still living, so she called to read it to me. The one thing I remember the most about going to visit them was sleeping under their huge, blue sky light on the pull-out couch with Sister and hearing the jingle bells that were attached to their back door ring very early every morning. That sound meant that the next time I opened my eyes, he would be back with biscuits and sausage gravy from Jack's. This recipe, in all of its sausage gravy glory was another sweet reminder of him!