Overnight Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole: A make-ahead sweet and savory combination of honey glazed ham, sharp cheddar cheese, and sweet bread baked in an egg custard. Perfect for Entertaining.
There is something about sweet and savory combinations at breakfast.
That has to be why Brunch is so popular–you can have a little bit of a savory, a little bit of sweet and be incredibly satisfied.
That is why a breakfast casserole with ham and sweet bread is a perfect way to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Overnight Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole has it all!
Sweet cranberry walnut bread, savory ham, sharp cheddar, and a rich egg base are baked up into an EASY breakfast casserole.
Since this is an overnight ham and egg casserole, it is absolutely PERFECT for entertaining. Prep the night before, and your only job will be to brew the coffee while your casserole bakes.
How to Make Ham and Egg Casserole
Ingredients
- Cranberry Walnut Bread or Cinnamon Raisin Bread for a subtle sweetness from the cinnamon and dried cranberries (or raisins)
- Leftover diced ham or cube up a large piece of ham steak
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Eggs
- Cottage Cheese to add more flavor, protein, and keep the eggs light and fluffy
- Dijon to add a punch of flavor
- Maple Syrup for sweetness with a bit of smoky undertones
The Process
- Grease a large casserole dish (9 by 13 or 2 quart) with butter.
- Layer the bread, ham and cheese inside the prepared dish.
- Whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, dijon, maple syrup and seasonings.
- Pour the egg custard over the mixture.
- Cover and place in the fridge overnight.
- In the morning, bake and serve.
Do you have to make this Overnight Breakfast Casserole the night before?
No, by making it the night before, the bread has a chance to soak up the custard, but you can bake it immediately. If you bake right away, just be sure to press down the bread into the custard to “help” it absorb the egg mixture.
Tips for Overnight Ham Breakfast Casserole
- If you need this be a gluten-free breakfast casserole, use your favorite Gluten-Free Bread and be sure your ham is gluten-free as well.
- If you want to have cranberries or raisins in this breakfast casserole without raisin or cranberry bread, sprinkle raisins or cranberries over the ham and bread and add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to the egg custard.
- You can use whole wheat bread, french bread, or brioche bread as well.
- Cooked maple sausage would be great in this casserole in place of ham if desired.
- You may be tempted to serve this casserole with a side of maple syrup. I say go for it–adding an additional touch of sweetness to a dominantly savory and salty dish, completely takes this over the top–and you want to be over the top when it comes to wowing people with food.
More Breakfast Casserole Recipes
- Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Easy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
- Easy Skinny Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Green Chile Egg Casserole
Overnight Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 cups Cranberry Walnut Bread or Raisin Bread, cubed
- 1 cup ham cubed
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- butter for greasing
Instructions
- Butter a 2 quart or 9x13 casserole dish.
- Spread bread over casserole dish, and top with ham and cheese.
- Mix together eggs, milk, cottage cheese, maple syrup, mustard, nutmeg, and salt. Pour over bread and ham.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, preheat oven to 350.
- Uncover casserole and bake for 40-45 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve with maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- If you need this be a gluten-free breakfast casserole, use your favorite Gluten-Free Bread and be sure your ham is gluten-free as well.
- Do you have to make this Overnight Breakfast Casserole the night before? No, by making it the night before, the bread has a chance to soak up the custard, but you can bake it immediately. If you bake right away, just be sure to press down the bread into the custard to "help" it absorb the egg mixture.
- If you want to have cranberries or raisins in this breakfast casserole without raisin or cranberry bread, sprinkle raisins or cranberries over the ham and bread and add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to the egg custard.
- Cooked maple sausage would be great in this casserole in place of ham if desired.
This is a keeper! Made it for a brunch bible study with friends and it was a hit! I used a brioche bread rather than cranberry walnut and it was very good! Making it again for a church brunch this time adding cranberries and cinnamon as instructed! Love it!
Hi Mary! I am so glad your bible study group enjoyed so much! It is great to use whatever bread you have on hand, but I think you will like the added sweetness of the cranberries and cinnamon. Thank you for sharing your review and enjoy your church brunch!