Since 95% of my extended family lives in Ohio, where both of my parents grew up, my family always drove “home” twice a year when I was young. Once in the summer for a week, then again in December to celebrate Christmas.
I remember those car trips like it was yesterday, especially the anticipation of getting through the 12 hour drive to arrive at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house where my cousins, aunts, uncles (and Santa!) would all be waiting. To say the trip was long would be the understatement of the century.
My Mom and Dad would pack the van up around 4am, sneakily stashing Santa’s gifts in the cartop carrier on the roof, and the suitcases in the trunk, then bundle my brothers and I up in blankets and strap us in. We’d ride in silence, snoozing, until reaching Iowa City about two hours away. That’s when we’d wake to feel the bumps on the exit ramp underfoot, and the car slowing down. IT WAS BREAKFAST TIME!
We rarely ate out as a family growing up – save for everyone’s birthday dinner – and my Mom always packed a cooler full of turkey sandwiches and carrot sticks for long car trips. Breakfast on those trips, though, was always at McDonalds, and it was always the highlight of the trip.
No matter the year, my order was always the same – Sausage, Egg and Cheese McMuffin. Hot, salty, cheesy, and totally sink-your-teeth-into-worthy. I haven’t had the real thing in years, and probably never will again because these babies are so easy to make at home, and are total crowd pleasers. Sausage, Egg and Cheese McMuffins are filling, inexpensive, and the recipe is easily scalable, making them the perfect breakfast to make for overnight guests during the holidays!
Start by cooking 2oz pork sausage patties (I bought the sausage in bulk then formed my own patties) in a large skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. To lighten the sandwiches up, use Morningstar patties, or turkey sausage!
Drain the fat from the skillet then return it to the stove, turning the heat down to medium. Give ‘er a fresh coating of non-stick spray, then whisk 1 egg per sandwich with salt and pepper, and pour it into the bottom. Let the egg cook until the top is just barely glossy, then fold the egg in half, then in half again. If you’re making 5+ sandwiches, just go ahead and scramble the eggs.
Meanwhile, lightly toast an English muffin then layer the egg, sausage patty, and a slice of cheese on the bottom half. Microwave for 20-30 seconds to melt the cheese, then top with the other English muffin half. Serve with fresh fruit for the PERFECT, copycat breakfast!
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Copycat McDonalds Sausage, Egg and Cheese McMuffin
Description
Copycat McDonalds Sausage, Egg & Cheese McMuffin tastes just like the real thing made right at home!
Ingredients
- 8oz pork sausage
- 4 eggs
- salt & pepper
- 4 slices cheese (cheddar or American)
- 4 English muffins
Directions
- Form sausage into 4, thin patties then cook in a large, non-stick sprayed skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes a side, or until golden brown and crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Drain fat from skillet then return to stove and turn heat down to medium. Whisk eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl then pour into the skillet. Cook until top is nearly set but still glossy, then carefully fold eggs over in half. Remove from heat to finish cooking. Meanwhile toast English Muffins.
- To assemble, place 1/4 of the egg on the bottom of a toasted English muffin then top with cooked sausage patty and slice of cheese. Microwave for 20-30 seconds to melt cheese then cap with English muffin top.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I am honest to goodness transported right back to that van, with one brother kicking the back of my seat, the other chewing loudly in my ear, and the dog begging for leftovers when I take a bite of this breakfast sandwich!
As wretched as that sounds…wait, no, that was really wretched. But this sandwich – my goodness this sandwich! – is so stinking good. And quick and easy. Makes an awesome breakfast for dinner meal (brinner, y’all) too. Enjoy!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 12.14.2012
This looks good! I remember always loving Egg McMuffin sandwiches from McDonald’s, but also remember them making me feel not so great after eating them…I am almost certain that a homemade version would not have this effect! As a vegetarian, I would make mine with a MorningStar Farms sausage patty! Yum! :)
ColleenB. 12.14.2012
Great looking Breakfast sandwich and nothing better then having the fruit along side. Yummy. It all looks very appetizing
Jill 12.14.2012
We always have breakfast at McD if we go on a road trip and we love their McMuffins. We used to make these at home all the time, but have forgotten all about them. Thanks for the reminder! They are so good!
Laura Clark 12.14.2012
Hi! First I LOVE your blog, such a wonderful depiction of what a well-balanced and enjoyable life looks like :) I had one question:
What kind of camera do you use? I am looking to invest in a good camera, but wanted to get some outside opinions! Have a Merry Christmas!
Iowa Girl Eats 12.14.2012
I was using a Nikon D3000, but just got a Nikon D7000 on mega sale at Best Buy for Black Friday!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel 12.14.2012
This is one of those classic breakfast sandwiches everyone should know how to make!
Victoria S. 12.14.2012
My sister and I make huge batches of these and freeze them in individual Ziploc bags for grab-microwave-and-go breakfasts!
We’ve discovered that the best way to get the egg just like McDonald’s is to use a small round Glad plastic container. Scramble 1 egg in it and pop it in the microwave for about a minute. The egg becomes super fluffy and stays in the shape of the sandwich.
Sara T Achinson 12.13.2012
I’ve made these in advance and froze them in the freezer. I use a whoopie pan to bake the eggs in, then assemble the sandwiches and freeze. In the future, I think I will freeze the egg and meat together and then add the cheese and english muffin later. Yum!
Bek @ Crave 12.13.2012
These look way better than the Maccas versions anyways!
Kariana 12.13.2012
My family also travels to Ohio twice/year, always stopping for breakfast at McDonalds along the way. :) Despite the long road trips, those hours bring back good memories. Thank you for reminding me.
I look forward to every post you make. Tonight, I rewarded myself with reading your blog after finishing a research paper for grad school. Thank you for the motivation to finish!
Candy 12.13.2012
I make these a lot, but make the regular egg mcmuffin, which I call “Candy McMuffin” with egg, Canadian bacon, and cheese. We’ve even made them for breakfast when camping….ended up make quite a few as everyone wanted one!!
Ashley 12.13.2012
These are my go-to! I have been making mine with a bagel or bagel thin, soo good!
Carrie @ Season It Already! 12.13.2012
Those are my favorite, too… and I have never made one at home. Doh!
Kristen 12.13.2012
We always stopped at rest stops in Canada! Just wanted to add the pineapple looks so good–and the Morningstar Farms veggie sausage patties are so good my husband likes them! Highly recommend!
Lauren 12.13.2012
Oh how I will never forget those car trips! Our stop was always cracker barrel for a big breakfast to load up before a long trip.
These look great! My hubby is drooling from across the room.
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 12.13.2012
I’ve gotta be honest, the real ones kind of irk me out… but these look so good!!!
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} 12.13.2012
Yum! I keep forgetting to make these! :)
Emily @ Have Your Cake And 12.13.2012
yummmm I love making these with whole wheat english muffins and Morningstar’s veggie patties! Got any tips on surviving long car trips?? I’m driving home from Florida to Michigan for Christmas next week… uggghh dreading it
Dione 12.13.2012
Now I am taking out English muffins from my freezer for an egg sandwich tomorrow for breakfast!:)
the 3volution of j3nn 12.13.2012
The best part is the melty cheese and of course the English muffin! My husband is from Dayton. Takes us about 12 hours when we drive there from NY but I never got a McMuffin out of it! :(
Lisa 12.13.2012
What a great breakfast. Although I love the sandwich, it’s wonderful to balance that out with the colorful fruit.
I used to make the same trip as you did, only from the opposite direction. Driving from MD to Ohio for the Holidays. Thanks for bringing back a few fantastic Holiday memories!!