Wake up to a hearty southern breakfast enchiladas with sausage gravy that will jumpstart your morning with pure comfort.
Fluffy tortillas wrapped around savory sausage create a mouthwatering dish that breaks all breakfast rules.
Layers of melted cheese and rich, creamy gravy turn an ordinary meal into a southern culinary celebration.
Weekends demand something special, and this recipe delivers bold flavors that dance across your palate.
Weekend brunch enthusiasts will fall in love with each decadent bite of these enchiladas.
Grab your skillet and get ready to impress everyone at the breakfast table with this irresistible southern-style masterpiece.
These enchiladas promise to be the star of your morning meal.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Calories: 520 kcal
Servings: 11
What Goes into Southern Breakfast Enchiladas with Sausage Gravy
For Protein and Spice Base:
Pork Sausage: Delivers rich, hearty flavor and provides the fundamental meaty foundation for the dish.
Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to enhance the sausage's flavor profile.
Jalapeno: Introduces a vibrant, spicy kick that brightens the overall taste experience.
For Binding and Texture:
Flour: Creates a smooth, thickening agent for the gravy, ensuring a creamy consistency.
Milk: Provides silky richness and helps develop the classic Southern-style gravy texture.
Eggs: Adds protein and creates soft, luxurious scrambled layers within the enchiladas.
Butter: Contributes rich flavor and helps prevent egg sticking during cooking.
For Assembly and Topping:
Tortillas: Serves as the flexible wrapper that holds all the delicious ingredients together.
Tater Tots: Brings crispy potato texture and adds a playful, unexpected element to the dish.
Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a golden, gooey top layer with sharp, tangy notes.
Monterey Jack Cheese: Offers mild, creamy melting properties that complement the cheddar.
Salt and Pepper: Balances and elevates the overall seasoning of the dish.
Tools for Making Southern Breakfast Enchiladas with Sausage Gravy
Large Nonstick Pan: Perfect for cooking sausage and creating gravy without sticking.
Baking Dish (9×13-inch): Essential for assembling and baking enchiladas evenly.
Slotted Spoon: Helps remove sausage mixture precisely without excess grease.
Whisk: Great for smoothly blending milk into gravy without lumps.
Medium Bowl: Ideal for mixing filling ingredients together.
Spatula: Useful for scrambling eggs and stirring mixtures.
Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot dishes.
How to Prepare Southern Breakfast Enchiladas with Sausage Gravy
Sausage Sizzle Kitchen magic begins with browning savory sausage in a hot skillet, adding diced onions and spicy jalapeños for extra flavor punch.
Gravy Preparation creamy white sauce emerges by sprinkling flour into sausage drippings, slowly whisking milk until silky smooth and rich.
Egg Scramble fluffy eggs dance lightly in butter, seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper, creating soft golden clouds of deliciousness.
Filling Fusion mixing cooked sausage, crispy tater tots, scrambled eggs, and melty cheese creates a mouthwatering stuffing bursting with Southern charm.
Tortilla Transformation gently rolling the filling into soft tortillas and nestling them snugly in a baking dish, creating enchilada bundles of joy.
Gravy Cover generously drench the enchilada rolls with velvety sausage gravy, then shower with remaining cheese for maximum comfort food appeal.
Oven Magic bake until golden edges crisp and cheese melts into a bubbling masterpiece, filling the kitchen with irresistible aromas that promise pure breakfast bliss.
Flavor Ideas for Southern Breakfast Enchiladas with Sausage Gravy
Personalized Cooking Tips & Variations
Adjust jalapeno quantity or swap with milder green chiles for family-friendly heat levels, letting everyone enjoy their preferred spiciness.
Replace pork sausage with turkey sausage or chorizo for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences while maintaining the hearty breakfast concept.
Assemble enchiladas the night before, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking and consistent temperature.
Broil enchiladas for 2-3 minutes after baking to create a golden, slightly crispy cheese layer that adds delightful texture and visual appeal.
Substitute sausage with black beans, diced bell peppers, and meat-free crumbles to create a delicious plant-based version of this Southern-inspired breakfast dish.
Southern Breakfast Enchiladas with Sausage Gravy: Serving Tips
Serve with Fresh Toppings: Sprinkle diced green onions, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños on top for a burst of color and extra flavor.
Pair with Cool Sides: Add a refreshing side of pico de gallo or a light Mexican-style coleslaw to balance the rich, creamy enchiladas.
Create a Breakfast Feast: Complement the dish with crispy hash browns, fresh fruit salad, or a zesty morning cocktail like a spicy bloody mary.
Garnish for Presentation: Drizzle some sour cream or hot sauce over the enchiladas to add a creamy or spicy finish that'll make your breakfast pop.
Storing and Reheating Southern Breakfast Enchiladas with Sausage Gravy
Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble enchiladas up to 24 hours before baking, covering tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerating until ready to cook. This technique saves morning prep time and intensifies flavor combinations.
Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap unbaked enchiladas securely in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking, adding 10-15 minutes to original cooking time to ensure thorough heating.
Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover enchiladas in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in microwave at 50% power to maintain moisture and prevent rubbery texture.
Portion and Prep: Cut enchiladas into individual servings before storing, making reheating and grab-and-go breakfast options easier throughout the week. Use glass containers for best quality retention and easy microwave reheating.
Hearty southern breakfast enchiladas with sausage gravy combine rich comfort ingredients from classic American cuisine. Crispy tortillas cradle spicy sausage and creamy sauce, delivering bold morning flavors you will savor with pure southern delight.
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound (454 g) ground breakfast sausage
10 large eggs
1 cup (240 ml) shredded Pepper Jack cheese
1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups cooked tater tots
½ cup (120 ml) diced onion
1 jalapeno, minced
⅓ cup (80 ml) all-purpose flour
2 ¾ cups (655 ml) milk
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tbsps butter
10 fajita-size flour tortillas
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Sausage Foundation: In a large skillet, brown ground sausage over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbly pieces. Incorporate diced onions and minced jalapeños, cooking until vegetables soften and meat is fully cooked.
Gravy Creation: Remove portion of sausage-vegetable mixture to a mixing bowl. Dust remaining skillet sausage with flour, creating a roux base. Gradually whisk whole milk into the skillet, stirring until gravy becomes smooth and thickened.
Egg Preparation: In a separate pan, melt butter and gently scramble eggs with kosher salt and black pepper, removing from heat while slightly runny.
Filling Assembly: Combine reserved sausage mixture, crispy tater tots, scrambled eggs, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses in the mixing bowl.
Enchilada Rolling: Spoon filling into flour tortillas, rolling tightly and placing seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
Final Touches: Pour sausage gravy evenly over enchiladas and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Baking: Bake for 30-40 minutes until cheese turns golden and edges become bubbly.
Notes
Sausage Selection Strategy: Choose high-quality breakfast sausage with robust flavor for maximum taste impact.
Flour Power Technique: Consistently whisk flour to prevent lumps when creating smooth, creamy gravy.
Egg Texture Tip: Remove scrambled eggs from heat while slightly runny to prevent overcooking during baking.
Cheese Melting Hack: Let enchiladas rest 5-10 minutes after baking for optimal cheese melting and easier serving.
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Program: Classic Culinary Arts
Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.
Michael Rivera
Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor
Expertise
Education
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.