MONTEREY SAUSAGE PIE

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground sausage (such as breakfast sausage or Italian sausage)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (red or green)
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium heat until it’s browned and cooked through. Use a spoon to break it into smaller pieces as it cooks. Once done, remove any excess fat.
3. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms (if using). Cook them for about 5 minutes until they become tender. If needed, drain any excess liquid from the vegetables.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
5. Place the pie crust in a pie dish and crimp the edges if it’s not pre-formed. Spread the cooked sausage evenly in the pie crust. Sprinkle half of the Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese over the sausage.
6. Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and cheese.
7. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
8. Place the pie dish on a baking sheet (to catch any potential spills) and bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the Monterey Sausage Pie to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

This dish is great for breakfast or brunch, and you can customize it by adding other ingredients like diced tomatoes, spinach, or jalapeños for a bit of heat. Enjoy your Monterey Sausage Pie!