Simply Delicious Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole

My mother taught me to cook and on a scale of 1-10, I'd consider myself an 8 when it comes to my ability to put a good meal on the table. Well, maybe a 7. No one could ever mistake me for a gourmet cook. I'm more of a down-to-earth southern cook. I like comfort food and good old southern traditional dishes.

There are some things that are just hard to screw up and this recipe is one of them. I would love to tell you that I use only whole foods and organics when I cook but if I did I would be lying. The truth is, I consider myself an "aware" shopper who thinks about what I'm buying and tries to make informed choices. It's all about choice and I'm here to tell you that I'm not perfect. I don't always make the best choice when it comes to food but I try.

With age I've become more aware of the food choices I make regarding the source and quality of my ingredients. I've learned that by keeping my pantry stocked with a few high quality basics, I can spend less money and eat healthier. When I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, I found that reducing carbohydrates lowered my blood glucose levels and that if I started my day with more protein, I felt better and had more stable glucose levels throughout the day. But, I don't always have time to cook in the morning. This Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole can be thrown together in less than 30 minutes on a weekend and will provide several days of leftovers with just a quick trip through the oven or microwave.

So, whether you're looking for a high protein start to your day or need to feed a crowd over the holidays, this Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole will do the trick. It may not be the healthiest breakfast but with the right choice of ingredients, you can justify it for the sake of ease and taste.

• Pork sausage locally raised or turkey sausage
• Local eggs from free-range chickens
• Low fat or soy milk
• Cheese from your local farmer's market or low-fat commercial cheese

This Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole is a complete meal in a dish. With the pastry on the bottom and eggs, cheese, and meat on top, the only thing missing is fruit.

Here in the south, we think apples are the perfect compliment for anything sausage so why not try a side of stewed or baked apples on the side. Spice them up with a little cinnamon and sprinkle a few raisins on top for a beautiful and delicious compliment to the main attraction.

Due to the dense consistency of the main course, you might also like a lighter, more acidic side dish of citrus fruit salad using orange and grapefruit sections with a few blueberries and some kiwi tossed in. The citrus salad is not only refreshing after a heavier fare but also adds beautiful color to your breakfast table.

At my house, we are all about leftovers. The Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole is just as good on the second and third day as it is right out of the oven. It's a great jump start for a high protein breakfast or a warm breakfast for your children that you can make ahead.

To reheat in the microwave: Place a piece on a microwave safe plate and heat on high for about 90 seconds.

To reheat in a conventional oven: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Wrap a serving of Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole in aluminum foil and close tightly. Place in the oven for about 15 minutes.

As a girl growing up in the south, feeding your guests was expected. As I look back at he generations of women who instilled these traditions in me, I wonder how they did it. Most lived on a moderate budget and had very little time to spare. Dishes like the Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole made feeding unexpected guests possible. It had few ingredients that weren't staples in the kitchen and cost literally pennies per serving. It was quick to prepare and could go from an idea to the table in 30 minutes.

Southern cooks are also creative cooks. Back in the day. it was not uncommon for them to substitute ingredients, using what was on hand rather than what the recipe called for. It may be the very thing that made them good cooks. So, have some fun when you cook. Don't be afraid to substitute.

Go ahead and try this Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole. If you don't have sausage, try some bacon or ham. Make your own pastry base from your favorite dough recipe. Experiment with different cheeses. Just remember - the only failed recipe is the one you didn't try.