Sausage Broccoli Bake

We love to try new recipes and this recipe we made over the holidays. It is one on the top of our list now. If you are not a lover of meat in your breakfast casserole dishes, you could remove the sausage and add another vegetable or another meat substitute.

Sausage Broccoli Bake

Ingredients
3/4 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
3 green onions, chopped (or use a small yellow onion)
2 cups fresh broccoli florets, cooked and drained
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
8 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese depending upon your preference
1/4 cup milk
seasoning salt (or use white salt)
black pepper
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 firm plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

Set the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 11 x 7-inch baking dish or a medium-size oval casserole dish. In a skillet cook the sausage meat with onions over medium-high heat, stirring until the sausage is browned; drain fat and transfer to a large bowl. Add in cooked broccoli and 3/4 cup shredded cheese; toss to combine, transfer and spread into bottom of prepared baking dish. In another bowl combine the eggs with 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, cayenne, ricotta cheese and milk, then season with salt and pepper; pour over the broccoli/sausage mixture. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese (or you can use cheddar in place of the Parmesan) then arrange the tomato slices over the top. Bake covered for about 30 minutes; remove from oven and uncover. Bake for another 15 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.