My plan was to wake up early on Christmas Eve morning for a nice breakfast with my husband next to the Christmas tree.
Everything I needed was on my grocery list and the breakfast itself was on my Christmas to-do list, but even my lists couldn't save me.
The plan was to have hot chocolate and coffee, fruit and a sausage biscuit and gravy casserole.
Instead, I ate a bowl of instant oatmeal while watching the Today Show and my husband ate dry cereal out of the box while reading the newspaper.
I did wake up early, but immediately began cooking. I made a buttermilk pie to take to my in-law's and a sour cream-coconut cake to take to my grandmother's. There was no time for biscuits and gravy or enjoying the tree. But that's OK, today and tomorrow will be filled with family, good food and making new Christmas memories.
But I'm going to save that sausage biscuit and gravy casserole for next year.
SAUSAGE BISCUIT AND GRAVY CASSEROLE
6 frozen biscuits
1 (12-ounce) package ground sausage
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 tablespoons butter, melted
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups milk
1 package sausage country gravy or country gravy mix (such as Pioneer brand)
1. Bake frozen biscuits according to instructions on package. Cool slightly. Cut across center to create top and bottom. Set aside.
2. Brown crumbled sausage in skillet over medium heat. Drain.
3. Layer biscuit bottom halves in an 11-by-8-inch baking dish that has been lightly coated with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle sausage over the biscuits. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups cheese over the top of sausage.
4. Whisk eggs, milk and gravy mix. Pour over the cheese. Layer biscuit tops browned-side up.
5. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
6. Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and return to the oven for 5 minutes or until a knife is clean when removed. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
