Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole

The comforting aroma of buttery biscuits and savory sausage gravy wafting through your kitchen is enough to get even the sleepiest family members out of bed on a lazy weekend morning. This Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole transforms a beloved Southern breakfast classic into a convenient, feed-the-crowd dish that delivers all the flavors you love without the fuss of making individual servings. The contrast of fluffy, golden biscuits against creamy, peppery gravy creates a harmony of textures that’s utterly irresistible. You’ll learn how to transform simple ingredients into a hearty, crowd-pleasing breakfast that combines fluffy biscuits with creamy sausage gravy in one convenient dish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole is about to become your new favorite breakfast option for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly time-efficient—instead of standing over the stove making individual portions, everything bakes together in one dish while you enjoy your coffee. The contrast between the crispy biscuit tops and the tender, gravy-soaked bottoms creates a delightful textural experience in every bite.

What makes this breakfast casserole truly special is how it captures all the comforting flavors of traditional biscuits and gravy while being foolproof to prepare. Even if you’ve never made homemade gravy before, this recipe simplifies the process without sacrificing any of that rich, savory flavor. The casserole format also makes serving a breeze—just slice and enjoy without the mess of ladling gravy individually.

For busy mornings, you can even prepare components ahead of time, making this biscuits and gravy breakfast bake perfect for holiday gatherings or when hosting overnight guests. The way the biscuits puff up through the creamy sausage gravy creates an impressive presentation that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole, you’ll need these simple ingredients:

• 16 oz (1 lb) breakfast sausage (regular or sage-flavored)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme (optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or more to taste)
• 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough
• 2 tbsp melted butter for brushing
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

The breakfast sausage provides the foundation of flavor for the gravy—choose a quality brand with a good fat content for the best results. Whole milk creates a rich, creamy gravy, but you can substitute 2% if preferred. The refrigerated biscuits make this recipe convenient, though you can certainly use homemade biscuit dough if you’re feeling ambitious.

Pro Tips

Perfect Your Gravy Base
The secret to an exceptional sausage gravy casserole lies in properly browning the sausage. Cook it until it’s genuinely golden brown with crispy edges, which develops deep flavor compounds that will elevate your entire dish. Break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks—this ensures even distribution throughout the casserole and allows more surface area for browning. Don’t drain the fat after cooking; it’s essential for creating the roux that will thicken your gravy.

Master the Roux Technique
When adding flour to your sausage and butter mixture, cook it for a full 2 minutes before adding any liquid. This eliminates the raw flour taste and creates a smooth, silky gravy. When you begin adding milk, start with just 1/2 cup, stirring vigorously to create a thick paste. Then slowly add the remaining milk while whisking constantly. This gradual approach prevents lumps and creates a perfectly smooth gravy.

Strategic Biscuit Placement
Rather than placing whole biscuits on top, try cutting each biscuit into quarters before arranging them in the casserole. This allows the gravy to bubble up between the biscuit pieces as they bake, creating more texture and ensuring every bite has the perfect biscuit-to-gravy ratio. For the best rise and golden tops, make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sausage Base
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the breakfast sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains and the edges are crispy, about 8-10 minutes. The caramelization adds incredible flavor to your Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole.

Step 2: Create the Roux
Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the cooked sausage, allowing it to melt completely. Sprinkle the flour over the sausage mixture and stir continuously for 2 minutes. You’ll notice the mixture becoming thick and paste-like—this is your roux developing, which will thicken the gravy beautifully. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate all those flavorful browned bits.

Step 3: Make the Gravy
Gradually whisk in the milk, starting with just a small amount and incorporating completely before adding more. This technique prevents lumps from forming. Add all seasonings—garlic powder, onion powder, thyme (if using), salt, and plenty of black pepper. Simmer the gravy for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remember, the gravy will thicken further as it bakes, so aim for a slightly thinner consistency than you might for regular biscuits and gravy.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Pour the hot gravy mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Open your cans of biscuits and either quarter each biscuit or place them whole over the gravy, depending on your preference. For a traditional biscuit and gravy bake, arranging them in rows creates a beautiful presentation. Brush the tops with melted butter to encourage golden browning.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake your casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the biscuits are puffed up and golden brown on top. Check halfway through—if the biscuits are browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the remainder of the baking time. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the gravy to set slightly and makes serving neater.

Variations

Cheesy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole
Transform your Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole into an even more indulgent treat by adding 1 cup of shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese to the gravy just before pouring it into the baking dish. For an extra cheesy experience, sprinkle another 1/2 cup between the biscuits before baking. The melted cheese creates delicious pockets of gooey goodness that pair perfectly with the savory gravy and fluffy biscuits.

Spicy Southwest Version
Kick up the flavor profile with some Southwestern heat. Add 1 diced jalapeño and 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper while browning the sausage. Season the gravy with 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Top the finished casserole with sliced green onions and diced tomatoes for a colorful twist on the traditional biscuits and gravy breakfast bake. This variation is perfect for those who enjoy a little heat with their morning meal.

Herb-Garden Fresh
For a lighter, brighter version, incorporate fresh herbs into both the gravy and biscuits. Add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to the gravy. After placing the biscuits on top of the gravy, brush them with a mixture of melted butter and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley and chives. This variation adds a fresh dimension to the rich, savory flavors of the classic recipe.

Storage and Serving

This Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container. While it’s best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the biscuits are at their fluffiest, leftovers reheat beautifully. For best results, warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or place the entire casserole (covered with foil) in a 325°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

For an impressive brunch presentation, serve squares of the casserole on warmed plates with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a side of crispy hash browns. The vibrant green herbs against the creamy gravy create a beautiful contrast. For a complete weekend breakfast experience, pair with fresh fruit and a mimosa or bloody mary.

This casserole also makes a fantastic “breakfast for dinner” option. Serve alongside a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the sausage gravy casserole. For holiday mornings, prepare the sausage gravy the night before, refrigerate it, and then simply assemble and bake in the morning for a stress-free festive breakfast.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
You can prepare the sausage gravy up to 2 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, warm the gravy slightly before pouring it into the baking dish and topping with fresh biscuits. The entire assembled casserole shouldn’t be prepared more than 30 minutes before baking, as the biscuits may become soggy.

Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?
Absolutely! Prepare your favorite biscuit recipe and either cut the dough into rounds to place on top of the gravy or drop the dough in spoonfuls for a more rustic Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole.

My gravy seems too thick/thin. How can I adjust it?
For thinner gravy, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. For thicker gravy, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir this slurry into the simmering gravy.

Can I use turkey or chicken sausage instead of pork?
Yes! Poultry-based sausages work well but contain less fat. You may need to add an extra tablespoon of butter when making the roux to compensate.

Is there a way to make this vegetarian?
You can substitute the meat with a plant-based sausage alternative and use vegetable broth with milk for the gravy. Season generously, as vegetarian options may need more flavor enhancement.

Conclusion

This Easy Biscuits & Gravy Casserole is comfort food at its finest — a nostalgic Southern classic transformed into a convenient dish that brings everyone to the table with eager appetites. It’s the kind of dish that makes weekend mornings feel special without requiring you to spend hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, hosting a brunch, or simply craving something deeply satisfying, this casserole delivers the perfect balance of convenience and homestyle flavor that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

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