Prepping the Oven and Greasing the Pan

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature while you prepare the ingredients.
2. Prepare the Pan: Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This step is crucial to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Browning the Sausage and Draining Fat

3. Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the vegetarian sausage until browned and thoroughly cooked. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
4. Drain the Fat: Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet to avoid a greasy casserole.

Preparing the Biscuit Dough Base

5. Cut the Biscuits: Cut the biscuit dough into 1-inch pieces. Arrange these pieces evenly along the bottom of the prepared baking dish. The biscuits will serve as the delicious, flaky base for your casserole.

Adding Sausage and Cheese Layers

6. Layer the Sausage: Evenly distribute the cooked sausage over the layer of biscuit pieces.
7. Add the Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the sausage layer. Cheddar cheese is a great choice, but feel free to use any cheese you prefer.

Whisking the Egg and Milk Mixture

8. Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well blended.
9. Pour the Mixture: Slowly pour the egg mixture over the layers in the baking dish, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

Pouring the Gravy and Baking the Casserole

10. Make the Gravy: Prepare the peppered gravy mix according to the package instructions, which typically involves whisking the mix with water and cooking until thickened.
11. Add the Gravy: Pour the prepared gravy evenly over the casserole mixture.
12. Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the biscuits are golden brown. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the casserole is ready.