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!

Copycat McDonalds Sausage, Egg and Cheese McMuffin

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Description

Copycat McDonalds Sausage, Egg & Cheese McMuffin tastes just like the real thing made right at home!

Ingredients

Makes 4 sandwiches

  • 8oz pork sausage
  • 4 eggs
  • salt & pepper
  • 4 slices cheese (cheddar or American)
  • 4 English muffins

Directions

  1. 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.
  2. 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!