Maple Sage Chicken & Veggie Egg Bake Recipe
This Maple Sage Chicken & Veggie Egg Bake is a hearty and flavorful casserole perfect for breakfast or brunch. Featuring ground Italian chicken sausage cooked with fresh sage and maple syrup, combined with golden potatoes, broccolini, shallots, and a fluffy egg mixture enriched with cottage cheese and goat cheddar, it’s baked to golden perfection. This savory egg bake is rich in protein and packed with layers of texture and warmth, making it an ideal make-ahead dish that can be enjoyed fresh or stored for convenient meals throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground mild Italian chicken sausage (or 1 lb. sausage removed from casings)
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh sage leaves, divided
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
For the Veggies:
- 1 cup medium-diced yellow gold potatoes (about 1 medium potato)
- ½ cup thinly sliced shallot (about 1 large shallot)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups finely chopped broccolini florets (about 1 bundle)
For the Eggs:
- 10 large eggs
- ½ cup lactose-free cottage cheese
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup shredded goat cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with olive oil and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Chicken Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large, tall-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook undisturbed for 4 minutes, then flip and cook another 4 minutes until mostly cooked. Drain excess oil if pooling, then cook 2-3 more minutes until the sausage is crisp and golden in spots. During the last 2 minutes, stir in 3 tablespoons chopped sage and maple syrup to infuse flavor.
- Remove Sausage: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked sausage to a plate, leaving a thin layer of fat in the pan for the veggies.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Increase heat to medium-high. Add potatoes, shallot, salt, paprika, and pepper to the skillet; spread evenly and cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes until potatoes begin to brown on edges. Flip and add broccolini. Continue cooking 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until veggies are slightly charred. Note that potatoes do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
- Assemble Base Layer: Transfer the vegetable mixture and cooked sausage evenly into the prepared baking dish. Allow to cool slightly before adding eggs.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a blender, combine eggs, lactose-free cottage cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper. Blend on low speed for 30 seconds until pale yellow and fluffy, which will make the bake light and creamy.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the sausage and vegetables in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of chopped sage and shredded goat cheddar cheese on top. Cover tightly with foil and bake on the middle rack for 25 minutes.
- Final Browning: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set with no jiggle.
- Cool and Serve: Let the egg bake cool for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up before slicing into 8 squares. Serve warm and enjoy!
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze, cut into squares, cool completely, then place 1-2 pieces in reusable zip-top bags. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
Notes
- You can substitute mild Italian chicken sausage with turkey sausage or pork sausage if preferred.
- If lactose-free products aren’t available, regular cottage cheese can be used, but the nutrition profile will change.
- Be sure not to overcook the potatoes during sautéing as they finish cooking in the oven.
- Allowing the casserole to cool before slicing helps maintain clean cuts and better texture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and increase the veggies or add plant-based sausage alternatives.
