If you’re looking for a breakfast dish that combines comfort food with a fun twist, this English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe is an absolute winner. Imagine fluffy scrambled eggs, savory breakfast sausage, rich sawmill gravy, and melted cheddar cheese piled high on a toasted English muffin base—every bite is a symphony of textures and flavors that will brighten your morning. It’s not only incredibly satisfying but also a great way to bring the family together with a simple recipe that feels special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are basic pantry staples and fresh breakfast favorites that come together to create a cozy yet dynamic dish. Each component plays a role in balancing richness, creaminess, and a little bit of crispness to the final pizza.
- English muffins: The perfect sturdy base that crisps up nicely under the broiler and holds all your toppings.
- Eggs: Fluffy and light, eggs add protein and a soft texture that complements the other elements.
- Breakfast sausage: Brings savory, meaty flavor and a bit of spice if you like it mild but flavorful.
- Mild cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully and offers creamy, cheesy goodness that crowns the pizza.
- Milk: Adds fluffiness to eggs and creaminess to the gravy with just a splash.
- Sausage drippings: Full of flavor, these drippings are essential for making that luscious sawmill gravy.
- Flour: Thickens the gravy to just the right consistency.
- Salt: Enhances every ingredient and marries the flavors perfectly.
- Pepper: Adds a gentle kick that brings depth to the dish.
How to Make English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Sausage
Start by cooking the breakfast sausage in a cast iron skillet until it’s well browned and cooked through. Once done, carefully remove the sausage and reserve about ¼ cup of the flavorful drippings left in the pan. These drippings are the secret to the rich gravy that will tie the whole pizza together.
Step 2: Make the Sawmill Gravy
In the same pan with the reserved sausage drippings, sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture turns a beautiful golden color. This step cooks off the raw flour taste and gives your gravy that nutty flavor.
Slowly pour in the milk bit by bit, whisking vigorously to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the gravy thickens to a creamy consistency that’s perfect for spreading generously on your English muffins. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Toast the English Muffins
While your gravy is thickening, lightly toast the English muffins. This helps them stay sturdy and adds a slight crunch that contrasts wonderfully with the creamy toppings.
Step 4: Scramble the Eggs
In a separate skillet, beat the eggs with a splash of milk and scramble them gently over medium heat. The milk makes the eggs extra fluffy and tender, a perfect match for the rich sausage and cheese layers.
Step 5: Assemble the Breakfast Pizzas
Preheat your oven broiler. On a baking sheet, lay out your toasted English muffin halves. Spread a generous spoonful of sawmill gravy over each, followed by a layer of scrambled eggs. Sprinkle on the cooked sausage pieces, then top everything with mild cheddar cheese.
Step 6: Broil Until Bubbling
Place the baking sheet under the broiler for just a few minutes, keeping a close eye so the cheese melts perfectly and bubbles with a lovely golden tint without burning. As soon as the cheese is melted and bubbly, your English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe is ready to serve.
How to Serve English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra pop of freshness and color, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or chives right after broiling. A little cracked black pepper or even a dash of hot sauce will also amp up the flavor if you like a bit of heat.
Side Dishes
This breakfast pizza pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit salad to balance out the savory richness, or a crisp green side like arugula tossed with lemon juice for a bright contrast. A cup of your favorite morning coffee or fresh-squeezed orange juice rounds out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving each portion on a colorful plate with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on the side for dipping. For a brunch gathering, arrange the pizzas on a rustic wooden board for a casual, inviting presentation everyone will love. You can also add a scattering of microgreens or edible flowers for an elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you manage to save some of this delicious English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe, wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to two days—just make sure you reheat thoroughly before enjoying again.
Freezing
While this dish is most delightful fresh, you can freeze individual muffins after assembling but before broiling. Wrap each one tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag. Store for up to a month. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and broil as usual to melt the cheese perfectly.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven vibe, reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or under the broiler just until warm and cheese is bubbly again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to make the English muffin soggy rather than crisp.
FAQs
Can I use another type of cheese for this recipe?
Absolutely! While mild cheddar is classic and melts well, you can swap in mozzarella for a gooier texture or pepper jack if you want a bit of spice. Just make sure your cheese melts smoothly for that perfect pizza finish.
What if I don’t eat pork? Can I substitute the breakfast sausage?
Definitely. Turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or even vegetarian sausage crumbles work beautifully. Just cook them thoroughly and reserve any drippings or add a bit of butter to make your gravy.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free English muffins and substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or cornstarch for thickening the gravy. Just be mindful of any seasoning blends in your sausage and gravy ingredients.
How do I make the eggs extra fluffy?
The trick is whisking the eggs really well with a splash of milk or cream before cooking and scrambling them gently over medium-low heat. Avoid overcooking to keep them soft and tender.
Can I assemble these pizzas in advance?
You can prepare the gravy, scramble the eggs, and cook the sausage ahead of time, but it’s best to assemble and broil just before serving to keep the muffins from getting soggy and to enjoy that delightful melted cheese topping.
Final Thoughts
This English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe is truly a beloved way to start the day with a hearty, delicious meal that feels both nostalgic and new. It’s simple enough for a laid-back morning but special enough to impress guests or treat yourself. Trust me, once you try this, it will become one of your favorite breakfast go-tos that you’ll want to make again and again.
Print
English Muffin Breakfast Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and satisfying English Muffin Breakfast Pizza featuring savory sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs, creamy sawmill gravy, and melted cheddar cheese, all broiled to perfection for a delicious morning meal.
Ingredients
Base
- 4 English muffins, split
Eggs
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
Sausage and Gravy
- 1/2 pound breakfast sausage
- 1/4 cup sausage drippings (reserved)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Cook Sausage: In a cast iron pan, cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until well done and browned throughout. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of the drippings in the pan.
- Make Sawmill Gravy: Add the flour to the reserved sausage drippings in the pan. Cook while stirring constantly until the mixture turns a golden color. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toast English Muffins: While preparing the gravy, lightly toast the split English muffins until just golden and slightly crisp.
- Scramble Eggs: In a separate skillet, beat the eggs with 2 tablespoons of milk. Cook over medium heat, gently stirring, until the eggs are fluffy and fully cooked. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Pizzas: Preheat your broiler. On a baking sheet, place the toasted English muffin halves. Spread a generous layer of sawmill gravy on each muffin, then top with scrambled eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked sausage pieces.
- Broil: Place the baking sheet under the preheated broiler. Broil just until the cheese melts, is bubbly, and starts to brown lightly, usually about 2–4 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- Use a cast iron pan for best sausage flavor and gravy consistency.
- Adjust milk quantity in eggs for preferred fluffiness.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to prevent burning the cheese.
- You can substitute mild cheddar with any preferred cheese like mozzarella or pepper jack for variation.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
