Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Bulk breakfast sausage or ground Italian sausage
  • 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium Yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 Red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 6 cups Sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 12 Large eggs
  • 1 cup Small curd cottage cheese
  • 1 cup Whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • ½ tsp Freshly cracked black pepper
  • ½ tsp Dried oregano or thyme
  • ¼ cup Fresh chives or green onions, sliced

Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and sausage. Break the meat apart with a spatula until browned and cooked through (approx. 8 minutes). Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing until the onion is translucent. Stir in the garlic for the final 60 seconds until fragrant, then remove from heat to cool slightly.
  2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish generously. Distribute the sourdough cubes evenly across the bottom. Top the bread with the cooled sausage mixture and half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until no streaks of white remain. Stir in the cottage cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Pour this mixture slowly over the bread and sausage, ensuring all bread pieces are submerged. Use a spatula to press down gently on any floating bread.
  4. Top with remaining cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes or until the center is set and the edges are golden brown. Garnish with fresh chives before serving.