Step 1: Preheat the Oven
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Cook the Sausage
1. Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Batter
1. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
1. Grease Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Layer Ingredients: Spread the cooked sausage evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. If using, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the sausage.
3. Pour Batter: Pour the pancake batter over the sausage and cheese, spreading it evenly.

Step 5: Bake the Casserole
1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed and golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Step 6: Serve
1. Cool and Slice: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares.
2. Top and Enjoy: Serve warm, drizzled with maple syrup and topped with fresh fruit if desired.