Did you know 46% of home cooks look for make-ahead breakfast casseroles on Facebook and Pinterest? Dairy Free Chicken Sausage Breakfast Casserole is a savory, make-ahead morning winner, with chicken sausage and spinach for protein and flavor. This guide is cleaner than a typical recipe post, it includes step-by-step timing, common mistakes, and storage tips so you get perfect slices every time. In this guide, you’ll learn how to prepare, bake, and store a dairy free breakfast casserole that feeds a crowd and reheats beautifully.
For a quick protein boost, see our collection of high protein chicken recipes that pair well with this casserole.
What Is Dairy Free Chicken Sausage Breakfast Casserole?
This casserole layers potatoes, sautéed onion, baby spinach, and seared chicken sausage, bound with eggs and salsa instead of cream. It is made without milk, cheese, or other dairy, so it works for those with lactose intolerance or egg-plus-protein diets.
Because the base uses frozen potatoes and salsa, cook time is mostly hands-off, and the texture stays moist without dairy. Nutritionally, it focuses on protein from eggs and sausage, and fiber from potatoes and spinach.
Quick Facts about Dairy Free Chicken Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Servings: 8
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 45 to 55 minutes
- Protein: ~18 g per serving
- Calories: ~320 kcal per serving
Dairy Free Chicken Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 400 g frozen potatoes Break up while spreading in the dish.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For greasing the baking dish.
- 1 large onion, diced
- 450 g chicken sausage, sliced Can be substituted with plant-based sausage for a vegetarian option.
- 150 g baby spinach
- 6 large eggs
- 200 g salsa Use hot salsa for a spicier flavor.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10 minutes).
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, diced onion, and chicken sausage. Sauté until the onion is tender and the sausage is browned (about 6 to 8 minutes).
- Grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish with olive oil or an oil spray.
- Spread the frozen potatoes in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Top with fresh spinach and the sautéed onion and chicken sausage.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, salsa, salt, and pepper until well combined. Pour the egg mixture over the layers in the baking dish.
Baking
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the egg mixture is set in the center. Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these actions exactly for consistent results. Each numbered step shows what to do and what you should see when it is done.
- 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Action: Heat oven. Expected result: Oven reaches 400 degrees (about 10 minutes).
- 2. Add oil to skillet on medium high heat. Add diced onion and chicken sausage. Sauté until onion is tender and sausage has some browning. Action: Sear flavors. Expected result: Onions translucent, sausage browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- 3. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish with olive oil or an oil spray. This is important so that your potatoes don’t stick. Action: Coat dish. Expected result: No sticking during bake.
- 4. Spread your potato in the bottom of your greased baking dish. (Mine is still frozen when I do this but I break it up so that it spreads evenly.) Top with fresh baby spinach and your sautéed onion and chicken sausage. Action: Layer ingredients. Expected result: Even layer of potatoes with toppings distributed.
- 5. Whisk eggs, salsa, salt, and pepper together until well combined. Pour the egg mixture over everything in the baking dish. Action: Bind casserole. Expected result: Egg mixture covers layers.
- 6. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until egg mixture is set in the center. (45 minutes is the perfect baking time for my oven.) Let casserole sit for a few minutes before slicing. Action: Bake and rest. Expected result: Center set, edges slightly golden; rest 5 to 10 minutes for clean slices.
Variations & Substitutes
Adjust this casserole for diet, region, or flavor without changing the bake time much. Swaps change taste and nutrition more than cooking time.
- Vegetarian, swap chicken sausage for plant-based sausage, increases fiber, lowers saturated fat.
- Lower carb, replace potatoes with 400 g riced cauliflower, reduces carbs by ~30 g per serving.
- Spicy, use 1/2 cup hot salsa and chipotle chicken sausage for more heat, same bake time.
For more chicken-focused meals try our tips from chicken enchilada recipes when you want a Tex-Mex twist.
Mistakes to Avoid
Beginners often make a few repeatable errors, but most are easy to fix. Use the checklist below before baking to prevent soggy or overcooked results.
- Not greasing the dish, fix: oil the sides and bottom thoroughly.
- Adding too much liquid, fix: drain excess salsa or reduce by 25 g.
- Skipping the rest time, fix: rest 5 to 10 minutes before slicing for cleaner pieces.
- Using crowded skillet, fix: cook sausage in batches for even browning.
- Undercooking the center, fix: test with toothpick, if wet, return to oven 5 to 10 minutes.
Chef tip, if you want crispier edges, place the casserole under a broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely.
Storage, Reuse
Proper storage keeps texture and food safety. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate or freeze in portions.
- Refrigerate, airtight container, 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze, wrapped in foil and plastic, up to 3 months, thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheat, 180 degrees C (350 degrees F) for 15 to 20 minutes, or microwave 90 to 120 seconds per serving.
Related Recipes / See Also
If you love this, try our creamy variations and breakfast cookies for a balanced meal plan. Pair this dish with lighter desserts like fluffy jello recipes for easy entertaining.
- Sweet breakfast option, try banana oatmeal protein breakfast cookies for grab-and-go mornings.
- Hearty dinner option, see creamy white chicken chili recipes for cozy weekends.
- More high-protein chicken ideas in our high protein chicken recipes collection.
For egg nutrition data, consult the USDA nutrient database for authoritative values USDA.
Conclusion
This Dairy Free Chicken Sausage Breakfast Casserole is an easy, protein-forward meal that holds up for meal prep and large breakfasts. Follow the steps, avoid the common mistakes checklist, and use the storage tips to make mornings simpler. Enjoy a dairy free, flavorful casserole that slices clean and reheats well.
