Easy Sausage Breakfast Muffins

Key Ingredients:
Breakfast Sausage: Choose your favorite breakfast sausage—mild, spicy, or even maple-flavored all work well. Cook it until fully browned and crumble it finely for easy mixing.

Bisquick Baking Mix: Bisquick gives these muffins their fluffy, muffin-like texture. If you don’t have Bisquick, you can make a DIY mix by combining flour, baking powder, salt, and a bit of fat (like butter or shortening).
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The sharpness of cheddar adds a bold flavor that complements the sausage. You can experiment with other cheeses, but cheddar melts particularly well and has a great, tangy taste.

Eggs: Eggs bind everything together and give the muffins a soft, tender structure. Whisk them well to ensure even mixing with the other ingredients.
Instructions:

1. Oven Preparation
   Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking.
   Grease the Muffin Tin: Thoroughly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray or a light brushing of butter or oil to prevent sticking.
2. Cook the Sausage
   Brown the Sausage: Place a skillet over medium heat and add breakfast sausage. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
   Drain Grease: Remove any excess grease to keep the muffins from being too oily.
3. Mix the Ingredients
   Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, crack the eggs and whisk until combined.
   Add Cheese and Bisquick: Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Bisquick baking mix until a smooth batter forms.
   Fold in Sausage: Gently fold the cooked sausage into the batter, distributing it evenly.
4. Fill the Muffin Tin
   Spoon the Batter: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
5. Baking
   Bake the Muffins: Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool and Serve
   Cool in Tin: Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack or serve warm.
   Serving Suggestions:
   These muffins are versatile and easy to pair with various sides or drinks. Here are some ideas:

Fruit and Yogurt: Serve these muffins with a side of fresh fruit and a dollop of yogurt for a balanced, filling breakfast.
Breakfast Spread: For a full brunch experience, pair these muffins with scrambled eggs, hash browns, and sliced avocado.
Hot Coffee or Tea: A warm drink, like coffee or tea, makes the perfect pairing for these savory muffins.
They’re also perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts or mid-morning snacks that provide lasting energy.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
These sausage breakfast muffins are excellent for meal prepping, so you can have a quick breakfast or snack ready throughout the week!

Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover muffins in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat them as needed, either in the microwave or oven.
Freezing
These muffins freeze well, making them perfect for longer-term meal prep. Once cooled, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, pop a muffin in the microwave for about 30 seconds if refrigerated, or 1 minute if frozen. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes for a freshly-baked texture.