Vegan Breakfast Casserole

Just want to let you know that this post is sponsored by my friends at Improved Nature. As always, I only recommend products that I use and enjoy. All opinions are my own.

This easy Vegan Breakfast Casserole features lots of veggies, vegan sausage, dairy free cheese, and a creamy “egg” mixture that brings it all together. Just like traditional egg casseroles, it’s the perfect make ahead dish for a stress free brunch.

I used to love egg bakes before going plant-based. They’re easy to load up with your favorite meats, cheeses, and veggies. Total comfort food!

This vegan breakfast casserole hits all those same notes! It’s hearty, flavorful, protein packed, and so incredibly delicious! It’s also much lower in fat and calories than traditional egg casseroles, which means you can have 2 slices without feeling guilty!

It’s a meal all on its own, but serve it up with toast and fresh fruit for a brunch worthy of entertaining.

Don’t let the long cook time scare you, it’s mostly hands off and throwing this casserole together is really easy!

Ingredients you need

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Tofu ~ Tofu is the base of the vegan egg mixture. I find that firm tofu works best in this dish. It blends up creamy, yet has enough structure to bind the casserole together.

Be sure to drain all the water from the packages of tofu and blot them dry with paper towels or a clean dish cloth. There is no need to press the tofu.

I have tried this dish with one block of firm tofu and one block of regular soft tofu and it works well. The slices will just be a little softer and looser.

I do not recommend using two blocks of extra firm (this will make for too dense of a casserole) or 2 blocks of soft or silken (which will make for a casserole that doesn’t stay together well).

Improved Nature Nature’s PRIME Bits ~

This all natural, non-GMO, 100% plant-based complete protein is a game changer when recreating traditional dishes into new vegan favorites, like my Vegan Chicken Cutlets, Vegan Jambalaya, and Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip.

The Nature’s PRIME Bits are the perfect size and texture for turning into vegan sausage crumbles. I was never a big fan of sausage back when I did eat meat, but these savory crumbles happen to be my favorite part of this vegan casserole!

Improved Nature products have become some of my most loved plant-based ingredients to use in the kitchen. Here are some of the reasons why I think they’re so great:

• Made from ONE ingredient – non-GMO soy
• High protein and high fiber
• No cholesterol, low fat, gluten free
• Versatile – available in a variety of sizes and shapes
• Pantry friendly – shelf stable for 4 years!
• Affordable

As a substitution, any vegan sausage crumbles can be used in this recipe. You likely will not need to add the spices and flavorings to them. Just cook them according to the package directions and combine with the rest of the casserole ingredients.

Or try my smoky tempeh bacon. Simply crumble it into pieces.

Potatoes ~ Frozen hash brown potatoes are convenient and work great in this recipe. I used diced potatoes, but shredded potatoes would work, also.

Veggies ~ Spinach, red bell pepper, and grape tomatoes bring beautiful color, added texture, and tons of healthy vitamins and minerals.

You could add some sautéed onion and garlic to the mix if you like. Sautéed mushrooms would also be tasty. Just make sure to cook them down until the liquid has completely evaporated otherwise the mixture will be too wet.

Spices & flavorings ~ There are quite a few spices and flavorings in this vegan breakfast casserole. Don’t be alarmed by the long list. They’re all plant-based pantry staples that you likely already have.

For the vegan egg mixture, turmeric and mustard powder provide the yellow color that allows this dish to look like traditional egg bakes.

Kala namak (also known as Indian black salt) is an optional ingredient that provides a mild sulphur taste like real eggs. If you don’t already have this ingredient and don’t plan on using it much in the future, there is no need to buy it. Just leave it out.

For the vegan sausage crumbles, you’ll need dried sage, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne along with some tamari (I like to use the low-sodium variety) and pure maple syrup. These are the flavors found in most sausage crumbles and the herby sweet heat flavor tastes so good here!

Optionally, you can add a pinch of fennel seed, which is a traditional herb in sausage. I don’t care for it, so I leave it out, but if you like it, go for it!

Extras ~ You’ll also need chickpea flour for thickening and binding, nutritional yeast for savory, cheesy flavor, and hot sauce if you like a kick of heat with your “eggs.”

I also add vegan cheese because I love it. You can skip it if you really want, but I do think it adds that extra boost of comfort food vibes.

How to make the recipe

Despite the long ingredient list, this vegan breakfast casserole is easy to make and is mostly hands off.

Improved Nature Nature’s PRIME Bits need to be rehydrated before using. Add them to boiling water (1) for 10 minutes until rehydrated and plump (2). Drain and press out as much liquid as possible (3).

Heat a bit of oil in a skillet and whisk in the spices for the sausage (4). Add the rehydrated and drained Nature’s PRIME Bits (5), stir to coat them with the spice mixture, and cook until no more liquid remains and the sausage crumbles start to get browned on the edges (6). Set aside.

Add the ingredients for the vegan egg mixture to a high-speed blender (7) and blend until smooth (8). You’ll need to use the tamper to ensure all of the ingredients get blended up properly. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add the potatoes and vegan cheese (9), diced bell pepper and sliced green onion (10), chopped spinach (11), and the cooked vegan sausage crumbles (12).

Mix everything well (13), then pour in the vegan egg mixture and stir well to combine (14).

Pour the mixture into a 9×13 baking dish (15) and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes and remove foil (16). Sprinkle with additional vegan cheese (optional) and sliced grape tomatoes (17). Bake another 30 to 35 minutes until the top is set and the edges start to pull away from the pan (18).

Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes to continue to firm up before cutting into slices and serving.

Storage and freezing

Make ahead: This vegan breakfast casserole is perfect for making ahead. You can make the entire recipe and stick it in the fridge tightly covered with foil before or after baking.

If you bake it and plan to serve the next day, be sure to let the casserole cool completely before covering and refrigerating.

If you refrigerate the casserole before baking, the mixture will thicken up overnight and it won’t need as much baking time the next morning. Bake, covered in foil, for 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake another 20 to 25 minutes until the top is set.

Fridge: Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezer: You can also freeze this vegan egg bake. After baking, cool completely, then tightly cover with plastic wrap and foil. It should keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Pro tips and tricks

~ Be sure to rehydrate the Improved Nature Nature’s PRIME Bits according to package directions.

~ Sauté the spices for the vegan sausage crumbles in a bit of oil to release their flavors.

~ Cook the sausage crumbles until no liquid remains in the pan.

~ Use regular firm tofu, not silken.

~ Drain the liquid from the tofu packages and blot the blocks of tofu dry. However, there is no need to press the tofu.

~ Blend the vegan “egg” mixture until smooth and creamy. Use the tamper with the blender to ensure all the ingredients are blended properly. Add additional milk (or water) one tablespoon at a time if needed to blend. But do not add too much liquid, the mixture should be thick, yet pourable, with a spatula needed to scrape out the last of the mixture.

~ Spray the baking dish with cooking spray so the casserole doesn’t stick. You can also line the dish with parchment paper if you prefer.

~ Mix all of the casserole ingredients together before pouring into the baking dish. Do not layer the ingredients in baking dish. The vegan egg mixture is too thick to seep into the other layers and the casserole won’t bind properly in layers.

~ Cover the casserole with foil for the first part of baking. Otherwise, the top may be burn before the middle is set.

~ Let the baked casserole sit for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing to allow it to firm up.

FAQs

More vegan brunch recipes

• Vegan Blueberry Breakfast Cake
• Vegan French Toast Casserole
• Breakfast Hash Browns and Veggie Skillet
• Vegan Chickpea Scramble
• Eggless Banana Scones
• Breakfast Nachos
• Vegan Cinnamon Coffee Cake
• Vegan Baked Oatmeal Muffins

Don’t forget to grab a package of Nature’s Prime Bits to make this recipe! And while you’re there, stock up on some other fun shapes, like cutlets, nuggets, or poppers so a delicious vegan meal is always at your fingertips!