📖 Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: First things first, get your oven ready! Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While it's warming up, grab a 9x13 inch baking dish and give it a good spray with cooking oil or butter it generously. You want to make sure your delicious egg bake doesn't stick.
2. Sausage Sizzle (Optional but Recommended!): If you're using breakfast sausage, now's the time to cook it. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your sausage (if it's links, remove them from their casings first!). Break it up with a spatula and cook until it's beautifully browned all over, usually about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease – nobody likes a greasy bake, right? Set the cooked sausage aside to cool slightly.
3. Veggies First (If Using): If you're incorporating any water-rich vegetables like mushrooms or spinach, or heartier ones like bell peppers or onions, it's a great idea to give them a quick sauté in the same skillet (after removing the sausage). This helps remove extra moisture and brings out their flavor. Cook until softened, then set aside with the sausage.
4. Whisk Those Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, crack all 12 eggs. Add the milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Now, get your whisk out and go to town! Whisk everything together really well until the yolks and whites are completely combined and the mixture is slightly frothy. You want a consistent, pale yellow color. This ensures a fluffy, even texture in your final bake.
5. Layer the Goodness: Sprinkle half of your cooked sausage (and sautéed veggies if using) evenly over the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
6. Cheese Please!: Next, sprinkle about half of your shredded cheddar cheese and half of your Monterey Jack cheese over the sausage and veggies. This layering technique helps distribute the cheese throughout the bake, so every bite is wonderfully cheesy.
7. Pour it Over: Carefully pour the whisked egg mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Make sure the liquid covers all the solids.
8. Top it Off: Sprinkle the remaining cooked sausage (and veggies) and the rest of the shredded cheeses on top of the egg mixture. You can give it a gentle swirl with a spoon if you want, but don't mix it all up.
9. Bake Away!: Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes. You're looking for a golden-brown top, and when you gently jiggle the dish, the center should be set and not wobbly. If it’s getting too brown too fast, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
10. Rest and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the egg bake from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the eggs to set completely and makes for cleaner slices. I usually just can't wait but it really does make a diffrence.
11. Enjoy Your Dream Breakfast!: Serve warm with your favorite breakfast sides like toast, fresh fruit, or a sprinkle of fresh chives. Dig in and savor that cheesy, savory goodness!