Golden Breakfast Pizza Muffins

These breakfast pizza muffins transform ordinary English muffins into a complete morning meal that satisfies both pizza cravings and breakfast needs. Loaded with homemade sausage gravy, fluffy scrambled eggs, and melted cheese, they're the perfect solution for busy mornings when you want something substantial without the fuss.

I created these one weekend when my kids were begging for both pizza and breakfast foods. The compromise became an instant hit, and now they request these "breakfast pizzas" almost every Saturday morning.

Ingredients

• English muffins provide the perfect sturdy base that gets crispy when toasted yet still holds all the toppings
• Breakfast sausage adds savory flavor and protein try using sage variety for extra dimension
• Flour and milk transform simple sausage drippings into rich creamy gravy look for whole milk for best texture
• Large eggs create the protein rich middle layer farm fresh makes a noticeable difference in flavor
• Mild cheddar cheese melts beautifully and adds that pizza like finish sharp cheddar works too if you prefer more tang
• Salt and pepper are essential for properly seasoning the gravy start with the amounts listed then adjust to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brown The Sausage

Cook the breakfast sausage in a medium hot cast iron pan breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes until no pink remains. Remove the cooked sausage to a paper towel lined plate to drain but reserve about 1/4 cup of the flavorful drippings in the pan.

Make The Sawmill Gravy

Keep those precious sausage drippings in the pan and sprinkle in the flour. This creates a roux which will thicken your gravy. Cook this mixture for 5 to 10 minutes over medium heat whisking constantly until it turns a beautiful golden brown color. The longer you cook the roux the more flavor develops. Gradually pour in the milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the gravy thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Prepare The Base

While your gravy is simmering split your English muffins and toast them lightly. You want them golden but not too dark since they will go under the broiler again later. Arrange them on a baking sheet with the cut sides facing up.

Scramble The Eggs

In a nonstick skillet over medium low heat scramble your eggs until just set but still slightly glossy. They will continue cooking slightly under the broiler so keeping them slightly underdone now ensures they wont become rubbery later. For extra creamy eggs whisk in a tablespoon of milk before cooking.

Assemble The Pizzas

Turn your oven to broil setting. Spread a generous spoonful of the warm gravy over each toasted muffin half. Layer scrambled eggs on top of the gravy dividing equally among all muffins. Sprinkle the cooked sausage crumbles over the eggs. Finally top each with a slice of cheddar cheese making sure it covers all the toppings.

Broil To Perfection

Place the baking sheet under the broiler keeping a close eye on them. They only need about 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and just beginning to brown in spots. Dont walk away during this step as broilers can burn food quickly.

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The homemade sawmill gravy is truly the star of this recipe. My grandmother taught me this technique when I was just learning to cook, and I remember her insisting that a properly made gravy should be stirred with a wooden spoon for the best texture. To this day, I still use her handed down wooden spoon whenever I make this recipe.

Make Ahead Options

You can prepare several components of this recipe in advance to make your morning routine even smoother. Cook the sausage and prepare the gravy up to three days ahead and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve simply reheat the gravy in a small saucepan with a splash of milk to thin it if needed. The English muffins can be split and toasted just before assembly, and the eggs are best scrambled fresh for optimal texture.

Ingredient Swaps

This recipe welcomes customization based on what you have available. Turkey or chicken sausage works beautifully as a lighter alternative to pork sausage. Dairy free folks can substitute plant based milk and cheese with good results though the gravy may need a touch more thickening. For a vegetarian version replace the sausage with sautéed mushrooms and use butter instead of meat drippings for the gravy. The hearty mushroom flavor creates a similarly satisfying experience without the meat.

Serving Ideas

These breakfast pizzas make an excellent centerpiece for a weekend brunch spread. Serve them alongside fresh fruit salad and perhaps a light green salad with vinaigrette to balance the richness. For a special occasion brunch add a pitcher of mimosas or bloody marys. If serving for a family breakfast keep things simple with sliced avocado on the side for an extra hit of healthy fats that complement the savory flavors perfectly.

The History Behind The Dish

The concept of breakfast pizza has roots in American diner culture where hearty morning meals often feature savory gravy and breakfast meats. This handheld version modernizes the classic meat and gravy breakfast by serving it on English muffins a nod to English muffin pizzas that became popular in American home kitchens during the 1970s and 80s. The sawmill gravy itself has deep Southern roots originally created to provide sustaining calories for hardworking lumberjacks hence the name sawmill gravy.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make Breakfast Pizza Muffins ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the components (gravy, scrambled eggs, and cooked sausage) up to 2 days ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, toast the English muffins, assemble with the toppings, and broil until the cheese melts. This makes for a quick morning assembly with minimal effort.

→ What can I substitute for English muffins?

If you don't have English muffins, you can use bagel halves, thick slices of sourdough bread, or even small pre-baked pizza crusts as the base. Each alternative will provide a different texture but will work well with the toppings.

→ How do I make these Breakfast Pizza Muffins vegetarian?

For a vegetarian version, replace the sausage with sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers. For the gravy, use butter instead of sausage drippings and add vegetable broth and a bit of soy sauce or miso paste for umami flavor. You can also add vegetarian breakfast patties, crumbled and prepared according to package directions.

→ Can I freeze these breakfast muffins?

Yes, these freeze well! Assemble and cook them completely, allow to cool, then wrap individually in foil and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through, or microwave for a quicker option.

→ What makes a good sawmill gravy for Breakfast Pizza Muffins?

The key to perfect sawmill gravy is cooking the flour in the sausage drippings until it's golden brown (about 5-10 minutes) before adding milk. This creates a nutty flavor and eliminates the raw flour taste. Whisking constantly while adding milk prevents lumps, and simmering until thickened ensures the right consistency for spreading on muffins.

→ What cheese works best for these breakfast muffins?

While the recipe calls for mild cheddar, you can experiment with different cheeses. Sharp cheddar adds more flavor, while mozzarella gives a classic pizza-like stretch. Pepper jack adds a nice kick, and Swiss cheese pairs beautifully with the sausage. For extra richness, try a combination of cheeses.