Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Cheese
Sweet, savory, and packed with flavor, this Overnight Breakfast Casserole with ham, eggs, and cheese is the ultimate make-ahead brunch dish. Perfect for stress-free holiday mornings or entertaining guests with ease.
Servings: 10
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 cups dried-out cinnamon raisin bread ~8 ounces of bread
- butter for greasing pan
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk or half and half
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cups cubed, cooked ham
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded and divided
Instructions
- Cube bread into 1½-inch cubes. If your bread is not already a bit stale or dried-out, let it sit out on the counter for a few hours or quickly dry it out by baking at 300°F for 15-20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.
- Butter a 2-quart or 9x13 casserole dish.
- In a large bowl whisk together 8 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg until well combined.
- Add the ham, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and dried-out bread and gently fold together until the bread is evenly coated in the egg mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for 15-30 minutes, to take the chill off the casserole dish. Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃).
- If needed, remove the plastic wrap and cover the casserole with foil. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the cheese has melted.
- Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Video
Notes
Bread: You will need 8 cups of cubed bread to make this casserole, which is about 8 ounces of bread. Stale or slightly dried out bread is best for this casserole. As for the type of bread, use cinnamon raisin bread or cranberry walnut bread for a sweet spin on this savory casserole. Alternatively, keep it simple and use French, Italian, or sourdough bread.
Gluten-Free Modifications: Use your favorite gluten-free bread, and be sure your ham is gluten-free as well.
Cheese: Feel free to use Colby or Swiss if desired. And it is best to grate the cheese from a block for a smooth and creamy melt.
Ham Substitutions: Use your favorite cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage or cooked and crumbled bacon in place of the ham if desired.
Storage:Store the cooled casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings on a heat-safe plate in the microwave for 45-60 seconds to warm 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
