Breakfast-Sausage-and-Gruyere Drop Biscuits

Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment, then crumble sausage onto it. Roast until cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes, then remove sausage from pan and break into small pieces (you should have 3/4 cup).

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, thyme, and red-pepper flakes. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal with a few pea-size pieces remaining. Stir in cooked sausage and cheese.

Add buttermilk and stir to create a thick, sticky batter (do not overmix). Using two spoons, scoop and drop 8 (approximately 1/2-cup) biscuits onto same baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them.

Brush tops with buttermilk and sprinkle with thyme sprigs. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Biscuits are best eaten still warm from the oven, but can be stored at room temperature, lightly covered, up to 1 day, or frozen up to 1 month. Reheat (after defrosting if frozen) in a 350° oven to refresh, about 10 minutes.