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    Home » Real Food » Breakfast Recipes » Overnight Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole

    Overnight Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole

    By Kristen Chidsey | 40 Comments | Published March 27, 2022 | Updated March 27, 2022 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Overnight Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole is a delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole that features cubed bread, chunks of savory ham, and sharp cheddar cheese, enveloped in a rich egg custard. It is a sweet and savory Ham and Egg Casserole that is the perfect choice for a holiday brunch or a make-ahead family breakfast.

    Overnight Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole is a delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole that features cubed bread, chunks of savory ham, and sharp cheddar cheese, enveloped in a rich egg custard. It is a sweet and savory Ham and Egg Casserole that is the perfect choice for a holiday brunch or a make-ahead family breakfast.

    Slice of ham and egg breakfast casserole on white plate with fork next to it.

    There is something about sweet and savory combinations at breakfast.

    And when you can combine sweet and savory into one dish, as this Breakfast Casserole with Ham does, you can guarantee it satisfies.

    From the salty ham to the sharp cheddar to the sweet cinnamon raisin bread to the rich egg custard, this Ham and Egg Casserole is a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and unbelievably delicious. It reminds me of a Monte Cristo Sandwich, yet it is so much easier to make.

    And because this breakfast casserole is designed to be prepared in advance, it is absolutely PERFECT for entertaining. Prep the night before, and your only job will be to brew the coffee while your casserole bakes.

    Notes on Key Ingredients

    This ham and egg breakfast casserole is a great example of how you can use leftover ingredients to create something new and divine. It is a great dish to put leftover ham, whether using leftover Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham or Baked Ham, and stale bread to use. The stale bread will absorb the egg custard better and the ham is given new life in this sweet and savory breakfast casserole.

    Ingredients for Ham and Egg Casserole labeled on counter.
    • Bread: I love using sweet bread, such as Cranberry Walnut Bread or Cinnamon Raisin Bread when making this Ham and Egg Casserole Bake, as both options lend a subtle sweetness to the dish that pairs beautifully with the savory ham and sharp cheese. However, you can use whole wheat bread, french bread, brioche bread, or even gluten-free bread with great results.
    • Ham: Use either leftover diced ham or cube up a large piece of ham steak. If you don't have ham, cooked, crumbled maple breakfast sausage is a great alternative.
    • Cheese: I recommend using sharp cheddar, Colby, or Swiss cheese for this casserole, as either option is a perfect pairing to the salty, savory ham. And it is always best to grate the cheese yourself, as it will melt more uniformly than pre-grated cheese that is coated in anti-caking agents.
    • Dijon Mustard: A little bit of Dijon adds a nice kick to the egg custard. Use either brown or Dijon mustard, not yellow mustard, for best results.
    • Maple Syrup: The maple syrup will work to sweeten the custard and the maple flavor pairs perfectly with the savory ham.
    • Half and Half: For a rich, creamy custard use half and half. If you don't have half and half on hand, whole milk or a combination of milk and heavy cream will work in place of the half and half.
    • Nutmeg: I recommend using whole nutmeg and grating with a Microplane. Whole nutmeg's flavor is superior to dried nutmeg powder.

    How to Make Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole

    • Grease a large casserole dish with butter. This will help the casserole not stick to the baking dish.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, mustard, maple syrup, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
    Egg custard with cinnamon and nutmeg mixed together in mixing bowl.
    • Cube the bread of your choice into ½-inch cubes and then spread the cubes out into an even layer in the greased dish.
    • Sprinkle the ham evenly over the bread and then top with the shredded cheese.
    • Pour the egg casserole over the layers, and then using your hands, lightly push the ingredients down to submerge them in the egg mixture.
    Collage of 4 pictures showing steps of layering bread, ham, cheese, and eggs in casserole dish.
    • Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge overnight, or up to 18 hours. This will give the bread time to absorb the egg mixture and all the flavors marry together.
    • When ready to bake the egg casserole, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature and the oven preheats. This is crucial, as you don't ever want to put a really cold dish into a hot oven, as it can crack due to the extreme change in temperature.
    • Once the oven is fully preheated, remove the plastic wrap from the casserole dish and bake the Ham and Cheese Casserole until the eggs are set.
    • Serve warm with additional maple syrup if desired.
    Baked Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole in blue baking dish next to strawberries.

    Short on Time?

    This ham and egg breakfast casserole is best assembled in advance, to allow the bread to really absorb the egg custard. I recommend refrigeration for at least 6 hours.

    However, if you do not have time to refrigerate the ham and egg casserole overnight you can opt to bake the casserole immediately after assembling. To do this, be sure to firmly press the bread into the custard to "help" it absorb the egg mixture and then bake for 10 minutes less than directed, as it will not be chilled. The result will be a more eggy casserole.

    Recipe Modifications

    • Gluten-Free Modifications: If you need this breakfast casserole with ham to be gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free bread and be sure your ham is gluten-free as well.
    • Cranberry/Raisin Addition: If you want to have cranberries or raisins in this breakfast casserole without using raisin or cranberry bread, layer about ⅓ cup of raisins or cranberries with the bread, ham, and cheese before adding the egg custard.

    More Breakfast Casserole Recipes

    • Overnight French Toast Casserole
    • Easy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
    • Green Chile Egg Casserole
    • Instant Pot French Toast Casserole
    • Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole

    If you tried this Ham and Egg Casserole, I would love for you to leave a comment to let me know how much you enjoyed this recipe!

    Slice of ham and cheese breakfast casserole on white plate next to fork.

    Overnight Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole

    This recipe makes a delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole made with ham, sharp cheddar cheese, and a sweet and savory egg custard.
    4.87 from 23 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Refigerate: 8 hours
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 146kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 8 cups cubed bread see note
    • 1 cup cubed, cooked ham
    • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, Colby, or Swiss cheese
    • 6 eggs
    • 1 cup half and half see note for substitutions
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • butter for greasing pan
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Butter a 2-quart or 9x13 casserole dish.
    • Evenly spread the cubed over the base of the casserole dish. Top evenly with ham and cheese. Set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mix together eggs, milk, half and half, maple syrup, mustard, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and ham. Use your hands to gently push the bread into the egg mixture.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to 18 hours.
    • In the morning, remove the casserole from the fridge while the oven preheats to 350 degrees F.
    • Remove the plastic wrap from the casserole and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the eggs are set. Allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
    • Serve with maple syrup if desired.

    Equipment Needed

    • 9x13 pan

    Notes

    Bread: Stale, or slightly dried out, bread is best for this casserole, as it will absorb the egg custard better. As for the type of bread,  use cinnamon raisin bread or cranberry walnut bread for a delicious sweet spin on this savory casserole. Alternatively, use your favorite cubed bread and add ⅓ cup of raisins or cranberries to the casserole dish. Note that the cranberries/raisins are optional!
    Gluten-Free Modifications: If you need this to be gluten-free, use your favorite Gluten-Free Bread and be sure your ham is gluten-free as well.
    Half and Half Notes: Feel free to use a combination of milk and cream in place of half and half. You can also use all milk or all cream if that is what you have on hand. 
    Ham Substitutions:  Use your favorite cooked, maple breakfast sausage in place of the ham if desired. 
    Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 45-60 seconds to warm through.
    Freezing Casserole: Bake the casserole in a freezer-safe pan (like a foil disposable pan) and cool completely. Wrap well in foil and freeze. Defrost in refrigerator overnight and then bake, uncovered at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until warmed through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 472mg | Potassium: 137mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2017 but has been updated with new photos and a video in 2022.

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kayla

      October 27, 2021 at 10:15 pm

      5 stars
      This was a hit with my family! Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Lisa

      May 09, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      The ingredient list cites cottage cheese but the instructions reference cream. I'd really like to make this but I'm not sure what to use.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 09, 2020 at 1:16 pm

        There is no cottage cheese in this recipe, just cream or milk. I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Denay DeGuzman

      April 17, 2020 at 1:01 am

      5 stars
      When I think of breakfast casseroles, I think of family gatherings, fun times, and Sunday Brunch. This is the ideal recipe for the weekend! Yum. Yum.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 17, 2020 at 7:32 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed this so much Denay!

        Reply
    4. Jessica

      April 16, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      5 stars
      The thing that stood out for me was using raisin bread. It added such a unique flavor and texture. Loved it!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 17, 2020 at 7:32 am

        It really does make this casserole hit all the notes--sweet, savory, and delicious! So glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    5. Mary

      December 20, 2019 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 21, 2019 at 8:18 am

        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!

        Reply
    6. ANGEL BROWN

      February 06, 2019 at 10:51 pm

      Can this be made 24-48 hrs ahead of time or just 12?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 07, 2019 at 7:29 am

        Hi Angel! I would make this casserole up to 24 hours in advance. At 48 hours, the bread may disintegrate. Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Nancy

      November 18, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      Do you bake it covered?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 19, 2018 at 6:54 am

        Hi Nancy, this is a casserole you bake uncovered. I will be sure to clarify in directions Nancy! Enjoy!

        Reply
    8. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      September 27, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      What a tasty and easy breakfast to make for a crowd! Looks very tasty!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 28, 2018 at 7:05 am

        Thanks Shadi!

        Reply
    9. Britni

      September 27, 2018 at 3:09 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect! Im always looking for fun easy recipes to make my morning run smoother.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 27, 2018 at 3:20 pm

        YAY!! This makes the mornings so easy!

        Reply
    10. Rebecca Hubbell

      September 27, 2018 at 2:21 pm

      5 stars
      I love overnight casseroles because they make weekdays so easy, this one was so delicious!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 27, 2018 at 3:21 pm

        I am so glad your family enjoyed Rebecca!

        Reply
      • Jill

        April 16, 2022 at 1:28 pm

        Can I use bacon instead of ham?

        Reply
        • Kristen Chidsey

          April 16, 2022 at 5:17 pm

          Yes, or even breakfast sausage. Just be sure bacon or sausage is precooked. Enjoy

          Reply
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