Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll appreciate this recipe for its incredible ease and impressive results. The contrast between the flaky pastry, creamy filling, and savory sausage creates a satisfying texture combination that’s hard to resist. It’s highly adaptable—customize with additional seasonings or mix-ins based on what you have on hand. The recipe is also budget-friendly and perfect for feeding crowds at potlucks, holiday brunches, or family gatherings. The minimal ingredient list means less shopping and fewer opportunities for error, making this virtually foolproof even for novice cooks.
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula for breaking up sausage
- Mixing bowl (optional)
- Measuring cups (optional)
- Knife for cutting and serving
Tips for Success
Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before cooking for easier mixing. Brown the sausage thoroughly for better flavor development. Drain excess grease from the sausage to prevent a soggy bottom crust. Press the crescent dough seams firmly together to create solid sheets. Don’t rush the cooling period—allowing 5-10 minutes before cutting helps the casserole set properly for cleaner slices.
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (mild or hot, based on preference)
- 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage until fully cooked (approximately 8-10 minutes), breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet, then return it to low heat.
- Add the softened cream cheese to the cooked sausage. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is completely melted and thoroughly incorporated with the sausage, creating a uniform mixture.
- Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
- Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Pinch the perforated seams together to create a solid layer of dough.
- Spoon the sausage and cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom layer of dough, spreading it to the edges.
- Unroll the second can of crescent dough and carefully place it over the filling, again pinching the seams together to create a solid top crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the dough is completely baked through.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
Additional Tips or Variations
Try these delicious variations to customize your casserole:
- Add 1/2 cup diced bell peppers and 1/4 cup diced onions to the sausage while cooking
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the cream cheese mixture before adding the top crust
- Include 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or cajun seasoning to the sausage mixture for extra flavor
- Use spicy breakfast sausage and add diced jalapeños for a kicked-up version
- Substitute Italian sausage for breakfast sausage for a different flavor profile
- Drizzle maple syrup over individual servings for a sweet and savory combination
- Add 1 cup of thawed and well-drained frozen spinach to the filling for added nutrition
Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)
Based on 8 servings:
- Calories: Approximately 450-500 per serving
- Protein: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 35g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Calcium: 10% DV
- Iron: 8% DV
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific brands of ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sausage and cream cheese mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake when ready to serve.
What can I substitute for crescent roll dough?
Puff pastry or refrigerated pizza dough can work as alternatives, though the texture will be slightly different.
Can I use turkey or chicken sausage instead?
Absolutely! Any ground sausage works well in this recipe.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes, it freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?
The top should be golden brown, and if you insert a knife into the center, the dough should not appear raw or doughy.
Conclusion
The 3-Ingredient Sausage Cream Cheese Casserole proves that culinary magic can happen with minimal components when they’re combined thoughtfully. This versatile dish transitions seamlessly from casual family breakfast to impressive brunch centerpiece, and even works as a satisfying dinner paired with a simple salad. Its simplicity makes it accessible to cooks of all skill levels, while the delicious results will have everyone thinking you spent far more time in the kitchen than you actually did. Keep these three ingredients on hand, and you’ll always be prepared to create a meal that brings comfort and satisfaction to your table with minimal effort.