Bacon Sausage Egg and Cheese Braid

Bacon, Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Braid: A Busy Mom's Breakfast Delight

Mornings are hectic in my house. Between getting the kids ready for school, packing lunches, and ensuring everyone has their homework, finding time to prepare a delicious and satisfying breakfast often feels impossible. That's why I've developed a love for make-ahead breakfast recipes that are both quick to assemble and incredibly flavorful. This Bacon, Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Braid is my latest obsession, and it's become a weekend staple, providing a hearty, delicious breakfast that can easily be portioned for the week ahead.

The beauty of this braid lies in its versatility. It's incredibly adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand. Feel free to experiment! Swap out the ground turkey for sausage, add in some spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrients, or change up the cheese to your family's favorite. The possibilities are endless, making it a perfect recipe for those days when you're short on time but still want to provide a nutritious and tasty breakfast for your loved ones. I often double the recipe on the weekends so that I can easily grab and go during the week for my super busy days at work.

Making it Ahead: The real time-saver here is the ability to prepare the braid the night before. Simply assemble the braid, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, all you need to do is pop it in the oven and bake! This makes those rushed weekday mornings so much more manageable.

A Family Favorite: This braid isn't just for busy weekdays; it's also perfect for lazy weekends. It’s a crowd-pleaser, appealing to both adults and children alike. The combination of savory bacon, flavorful sausage (or turkey), fluffy eggs, and melty cheese is simply irresistible, making it a perfect addition to any brunch gathering or family breakfast.

Tips and Tricks:

• Using Quality Ingredients: Using quality ingredients, like a good sharp cheddar cheese, will elevate the flavor of this braid. Don't be afraid to splurge a little on ingredients to get the best possible taste.
• Even Baking: To ensure the braid bakes evenly, pre-heat your oven completely, and make sure the center is fully cooked. Start checking for doneness around 20 minutes; each oven is a bit different.
• Variations: Feel free to add other ingredients to the braid, like diced bell peppers, onions, or jalapeños, to customize it to your liking.
• Freezing: You can also freeze this braid before baking it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to three months. When ready to bake, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and bake as directed.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve the braid warm, either for breakfast or brunch.
• Pair the braid with a side of fresh fruit, such as berries or melon, for a balanced meal.
• Serve with a side of your favorite hot sauce or ketchup for those who like a little extra kick.
• It also can be served with a fresh salad for a light and healthy brunch option.

This Bacon, Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Braid is more than just a recipe; it's a solution to the morning rush, a delicious way to start the day, and a recipe I'm excited to share with all of you. I hope it becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen too!

Step-by-step

• Pre-heat your oven to 375.
• Cook the bacon according to package directions and set aside on paper towels to drain. Crumble or chop the bacon when drained.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey with the salt, black pepper, sage, thyme, marjoram and crushed red pepper. Stir (or mush with your hands or a fork) until the turkey is well combined with the seasonings.
• Mist a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and bring to medium heat.
• Add the seasoned turkey and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through and broken into bite-sized pieces.
• Remove the turkey to a side plate and wipe out the skillet with a paper towel.
• While the turkey is cooking, break the eggs into a mixing bowl and beat together.
• Add a splash of water and stir to combine.
• When the turkey is done, mist the skillet with cooking spray and bring over med-low heat.
• Add the eggs and cook, using a spatula to move the eggs around, scrapping the thin layer of cooked eggs off the bottom until all the eggs are cooked and fluffy.
• Set aside.
• Unroll the pizza dough onto a piece of parchment paper and roll the dough to be 10”x14”.
• Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, make cuts up one of the longer sides of the dough, about 1 inch apart and about 3 inches long (into the center).
• Mirror those cuts on the opposite long side of the dough.
• Spread the turkey mixture down the center of the pizza dough, in a row with the cuts on either side.
• Top the turkey sausage with the scrambled eggs, chopped bacon and shredded cheddar.
• Starting at one end, fold a strip of the sliced dough on the side diagonally over the center ingredients.
• Fold the strip across from it over that strip in a criss-cross and repeat, alternating sides, until the strips of dough are covering the center in a braided pattern.
• Brush the top of the braid with the melted butter.
• Transfer the parchment paper with the braid onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the dough is golden.
• Slice into 8 equal pieces and serve.