Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich
A sausage, egg and cheese is the ideal belly-filling, on-the-go breakfast popular at bodegas, food carts and coffee shops. It’s impossible to replicate the deliciousness that comes from making it on a well-seasoned griddle — and by a cook who’s made thousands — but making an SEC (or a BEC) at home has its own perks. For starters, instead of pre-made sausage pucks, smashing patties of fresh sausage creates juicier meat with caramelized, crisp edges. You can also fry the egg just right, until the broken yolk is barely set (or for scrambled eggs, follow the directions here). The best part is, you can have an SEC anytime you want, even if there isn’t a deli on your corner.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 1 person
Ingredients
- 1English muffin, split
- Unsalted butter
- 4ounces uncooked breakfast or Italian sausage (about 4 small or 1 large), casings removed
- 1large egg
- Salt and black pepper
- 1slice American cheese
- Ketchup or hot sauce, or both (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Toast the English muffin, then spread the cut sides with butter.Step 2
Roll the sausage into a loose ball. Heat a small (8-inch) or medium (10-inch) cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add the sausage and immediately press down with a spatula or second skillet until 1/4-inch thick. Cook, undisturbed, until browned and crisp, 1 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the bottom of the muffin and turn off the heat.Step 3
Wipe out the skillet and add a pat of butter. With the heat still turned off, add the egg. Cook until the whites are set but the yolk is not firm, 3 to 5 minutes. The heat of the skillet should gently cook the eggs, but if the egg isn’t sizzling, turn the heat to medium-low. Use a spatula to burst the yolk and spread it over the whites. Season with salt and pepper. Flip the egg and let the yolk cook for just 30 seconds or so to set slightly, then flip back. Top with the cheese, cover, and let sit until the cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes.Step 4
Place the egg on top of the sausage, add ketchup and hot sauce as desired, then add the top muffin and press down. You can wrap in parchment or foil for later, or eat right away.