Breakfast Bowl

Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published March 17, 2023 • Updated February 1, 2026

Like Jimmy Dean's Breakfast Bowls, but keto!

Reader Rating
5 Stars (2 Reviews)

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

These hearty & filling keto breakfast bowls will save you time in the morning. I only need about 20 minutes to prep up 10 breakfast bowls to store in the refrigerator or freezer. Come breakfast time, just crack in an egg or two and microwave!

Meal prepping breakfast definitely saves time in the morning, which is ideal if you aren’t really a morning person and find yourself running behind often. Besides other easy low carb make ahead breakfast options like chia pudding or breakfast sandwiches, these breakfast bowls are already portioned into single serve containers, so there’s no extra dishes and no measuring out portions.

A hand taking out a forkful of scrambled eggs from a white bowl.

Since each of these breakfast bowls is already portioned into mason jars or containers, just grab from the fridge, add in an egg or two, stir and microwave! In under two minutes, you’ll have a satisfying protein packed breakfast to keep you going. Plus these breakfast bowls are healthier than the processed stuff you get from a Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowl or Egg Scrambles. Those packaged products you find at the store have lots of preservatives and unnecessary ingredients. Making your own homemade keto breakfast bowl allows you to control the ingredients so you get a fresh tasting breakfast made from real food ingredients: eggs, sausage, cheese, vegetables!

If a savory breakfast bowl doesn’t sound good, try a smoothie bowl. It’s filled with low sugar fruits and healthy fats to keep you satisfied. Plus it offers a sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with crunchy toppings like coconut flakes and nuts.

How to make a breakfast bowl

  1. Prep your vegetables, if using. Chop up bell pepper, onion or any other vegetables you feel like adding.
  2. Cook the proteins. Whether you are using sausage (like this recipe), bacon, turkey sausage or chorizo, prepare and heat until cooked through.
  3. Sauté vegetables. To the same skillet, cook the vegetables until just softened. Then mix proteins back into the vegetables. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. Portion out. Assemble meal prep containers by adding 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the protein vegetable mixture to your container first. Top with shredded cheese.
  5. Store. Replace lid and store in the refrigerator or the freezer.
  6. To prepare, crack in 1-2 fresh eggs or add 1/4 cup egg whites on top of the mixture. Stir and microwave for 1 minute and 45 seconds, stirring halfway through.

Pro Tip: If you plan on freezing your breakfast bowls, don’t use Mason jars to store your breakfast mixture in. These glass jars will easily break or crack, especially if you put them in the freezer with the sausage and veggie mixture still hot.

Homemade Jimmy Dean breakfast in meal prep jars stacked next to each other.

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Breakfast Bowl

5 (2) Prep 7m Cook 13m Total 20m 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground breakfast sausage or pork
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 10 - 20 eggs

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Cook sausage

In a large skillet over medium high heat, add sausage. Break up and crumble. Let cook until almost cooked through. Then add in seasonings: salt, onion powder and pepper. Stir to combine. Continue cooking until sausage is browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet into a large bowl and set aside.

A skillet with cooked ground sausage inside.
Tip Can use any protein in this recipe. More ideas down below!
Ingredients for this step
  • 2 pounds ground sausage
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2
Chop vegetables

While the sausage is cooking, dice red and green bell pepper, removing stems and seeds. Peel and dice onion. Set aside.

A cutting board with purple onion, red bell pepper and green bell pepper all diced in a row.
Tip Can use any vegetable in this recipe. More ideas down below!
Ingredients for this step
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 onion
3
Sauté vegetables

Return skillet that cooked the sausage back to the stovetop. Turn to medium high heat and add diced vegetables. Season with a pinch or two of salt and stir. Let cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender.

Pepper and onions sautéing in a skillet.
4
Mix together

Return cooked sausage back into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir to combine. Remove from heat.

A mixture of ground sausage and pepper and onions with a spatula in the skillet.
5
Assemble breakfast containers

Using a mason jar or meal prep container, add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the sausage and vegetable mixture to each container. Evenly divide shredded cheddar cheese between all containers. Secure the lid and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Jars containing layers of a breakfast bowl inside.
Tip I made 10 containers.
Ingredients for this step
  • 8 oz shredded cheese
6
To prepare a breakfast bowl

To the jar or container, crack in 1-2 eggs. Stir to combine. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir to distribute contents. Microwave for 45 more seconds or until egg is cooked. Enjoy!

A fork stirring a scrambled egg inside a jar.
Tip To cook from frozen, let container or jar sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes or place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Cook as directed above. It might need a few extra seconds.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1-2 eggs
Nutrition Per Serving
545 Calories
44.5g Fat
32.4g Protein
2.5g Net Carbs
3g Total Carbs
10 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Close up of a meal prep jar showing the layers of the breakfast bowl - the sausage and bell pepper layer, the cheese layer and the egg layer.

Savory breakfast bowl options

Besides just the sausage, bell pepper, egg and cheese breakfast bowl, you can mix it up and try other variations by changing the protein, vegetables, eggs or cheeses.

Use different proteins

  • Sausage: breakfast sausage, mild Italian sausage or even ground pork.
  • Bacon: Make up a bunch ahead of time by cooking it in the oven or even on the grill.
  • Turkey bacon: a high protein, low fat alternative to bacon
  • Chorizo: Cured or smoked meat with loads of flavor.
  • Ham: Dice up chunks of ham. The perfect way to use up leftover ham from the holidays.

 

Vegetables mean flavor

  • Bell pepper: Try all colors of bell pepper. Besides red and green, go for yellow or orange.
  • Onion: Any type of onion, from purple, white, yellow, green or even shallots
  • Zucchini: Finely diced zucchini or squash helps add substance to your breakfast bowls
  • Potatoes: Not low-carb but a popular addition to breakfast bowls. Sweet potatoes are sometimes substituted to cut the carbs.
  • Tomatoes: Add flavor and color.

 

Did you say cheese??

  • Cheddar cheese: From sharp, medium or mild, cheddar is always a good option with breakfast. Shred your own to avoid the anticaking agents in packaged shredded cheeses.
  • Monterey Jack cheese
  • Colby Jack cheese
  • Pepper Jack cheese
  • Goat cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Swiss cheese
  • Provolone cheese
  • Mozzarella cheese

 

Eggs

  • Whole eggs: Add one or two eggs for more protein and to turn your breakfast bowl into a scramble.
  • Egg whites: If you’re trying to avoid excess fat or cholesterol, just add egg whites!
A forkful of sausage and egg scrambled over a bowl with more scrambled eggs.

Storage information

Refrigerator

If you plan on eating your make ahead breakfast within 5 days, just pop them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

Freezer

For anything longer, store your meal prepped breakfast in the freezer. They’ll keep for 1-2 months without getting freezer burnt. Avoid Mason jars if freezing since they can crack or break. Use plastic, silicone or ziploc bags instead.

Breakfast Bowl

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Jimmy Dean breakfast bowls healthy?

Although they do contain a hearty dose of protein, you are better off making your own breakfast bowls. Jimmy Dean bowls have preservatives and artificial ingredients. With making your own, you can add any type of vegetable or more protein.

How many carbs are in a Jimmy Dean breakfast bowl?

It depends on the bowl but the sausage breakfast bowl has 16 carbs per serving. The carbs come from the diced potatoes.

What toppings can you add to your sausage egg scramble?

Some favorite toppings to a savory breakfast bowl are sriracha, ketchup, hot sauce, chives, green onions, salsa and sour cream.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

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  1. L
    Lynn T May 16, 2025

    Tried this last week and it was super helpful for my early shifts. I added hot sauce after microwaving and it worked out great.

  2. K
    Kevin H Mar 2, 2025

    I made these breakfast bowls last weekend and they were great for busy mornings. I used spicy sausage and it added a nice kick. I didn’t have sharp cheddar so I used Colby Jack and it still tasted good.

  3. S
    Susan Feb 6, 2024

    The straight sided ball jars are perfectly fine to freeze stuff in. But they have to be the straight sided ones. People been doing it for many many years.

  4. K
    Katie Mar 26, 2023

    What a great idea, Annie! My daughter doesn't have a microwave. (i don't know how she does it!) Do you have any idea what temp and time she might try for cooking in her oven? Thank you for all you do.

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Jan 8, 2024

      I would try baking them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

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