Pin it
I've been fixing my morning hunger with this filling English Muffin Breakfast Pizza for ages now. It brings together all your favorite morning foods in one tasty, open sandwich creation.
These breakfast pizzas first showed up when my in-laws came to stay during a holiday. They were such a success that now we make them whenever we want to treat ourselves on lazy weekend mornings.
Ingredients
- English Muffins: They give you that nice crunchy bottom that doesn't get soggy with toppings
- Eggs: Try to use them straight from the counter, not the fridge, for extra fluffiness
- Breakfast Sausage: Adds that meaty taste and fills you up
- Mild Cheddar Cheese: Gets all gooey while working well with everything else
- Milk: Go for the full-fat kind to make your gravy extra creamy
- Sausage drippings: This is what makes southern gravy taste so good
- Flour: Regular flour works just fine to thicken everything up
- Salt and pepper: Add as much as you want until it tastes right to you
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the Sausage:
- Get your sausage nice and brown in a cast iron pan until you can't see any pink bits anymore. It'll take about 8 minutes on medium high heat. Take the cooked meat out but keep exactly ¼ cup of the fat for your gravy.
- Prepare the Sawmill Gravy:
- Put flour into the sausage fat while your pan's still hot. Keep stirring over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes until it turns a bit golden. This gets rid of that raw flour taste and makes everything tastier. Pour in your milk bit by bit while you keep stirring so it doesn't get lumpy. Cook until it bubbles up and gets thick enough to stick to your spoon.
- Toast and Prepare Components:
- Pop your English muffins in the toaster while you finish the gravy. In another pan, scramble your eggs until they're just done, maybe add a splash of milk if you want them extra fluffy. Get your cheese slices ready for putting everything together.
- Assemble the Pizzas:
- Put your toasted muffin halves cut side up on a baking tray. Spoon lots of that sawmill gravy on each half. Add some scrambled eggs, a slice of cheese, and crumble that cooked sausage on top.
- Broil to Perfection:
- Stick the tray under your hot broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Keep an eye on it until the cheese gets all melty and bubbly with some light brown spots.
Pin it
The fat from the sausage is really what makes this special. My grandma taught me to make sawmill gravy and always said that store bought breakfast sausage makes the tastiest drippings. You just can't get that same flavor using plain butter or oil.
Making Ahead
You can totally prep these breakfast pizzas early. Make all the parts separately up to two days before you need them. Keep your cooked sausage, scrambled eggs, and gravy in different containers in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, just warm up the gravy with a bit of milk if it's too thick, heat the eggs in the microwave, and then put everything together and broil for a fast breakfast.
Substitution Options
Feel free to play around with this recipe. Want something lighter? Try turkey sausage and low-fat cheese. Don't eat meat? Go for plant based sausage and milk. Not into English muffins? Use bagels, biscuits, or thick sourdough bread instead. Each change gives you a different but still yummy breakfast.
Serving Suggestions
These filling breakfast pizzas are great on their own, but for a full brunch spread, try adding some fresh fruit, crispy breakfast potatoes, or a light green salad with tangy dressing. Drink-wise, nothing beats fresh coffee, orange juice, or maybe some mimosas if you're making these for a special weekend get-together.
Pin it
A tasty and simple way to make your mornings special, these pizzas will soon become the breakfast everyone asks for!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use a different type of cheese?
Sure thing! Any good melting cheese works great - try mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even sharp cheddar for extra flavor.
- → How do I make sawmill gravy without sausage drippings?
No drippings? Just use butter or a mix of butter and plain oil to create a similar base for your gravy.
- → Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can make the gravy and cook the sausage early, but it's best to put everything together and broil it right before you eat for the tastiest results.
- → Can I substitute the English muffins?
You bet! Bagels, regular toast, or even biscuits can work instead of the muffins.
- → What other toppings can I add?
Go wild with cooked veggies, fresh herbs, or spicy chorizo to make this breakfast your own.