Overnight Breakfast Casserole
User Reviews
5
Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Description
The casserole starts by lining a buttered baking dish with a layer of English muffin bread slices, layered with Swiss cheese, ham slices, cheddar cheese, and herbs such as parsley and dill, plus dried mustard for a subtle savory note. Salt and pepper season the layers. A second bread layer is buttered on top and placed over the fillings. An egg and milk custard mixture, blended to a smooth consistency, is poured evenly over the assembled layers to soak overnight in the fridge, allowing the bread to absorb flavors and moisture.
Baking begins at a low temperature covered to set the custard, then finishes uncovered at a higher temperature after spreading a topping of buttered corn flakes over the surface, which crisps during baking. The result is a creamy, savory breakfast bake with a crunchy crust and rich flavors from the cheeses, ham, and spices.
This casserole is flexible with bread choice based on availability, and cheeses can be substituted as preferred. The dish yields about 12 servings, making it appropriate for feeding groups, and leftovers keep well refrigerated for several days. The topping provides texture contrast to the soft interiors, enhancing the overall eating experience.
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 1 loaf English Muffin sliced (see note 1, bread form
- 1/2 cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 2 cups swiss cheese see note 2, shredded
- 6 lices ham see note 3, deli
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley, fresh
- 1 tablespoon dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill, fresh
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard (see note 4)
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 3 cups milk
- 10 large egg
For the topping:
- 1 1/2 cups corn flakes (see note 5)
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
To make the casserole:
- Coat a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Spread butter on one side of each bread slice and lay half (about 6 slices) face up in prepared baking dish.
- Top with Swiss cheese, ham slices, and cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with parsley, dill, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Top with a second layer of bread, butter-side up.
- Combine milk and eggs in a blender and process for 30 seconds (or whisk vigorously in a large bowl by hand). Pour evenly over the top of casserole. Cover with foil and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
To bake the casserole:
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Bake covered casserole for 30 minutes. While the casserole is baking, combine corn flakes and butter and mix well to combine.
- Remove casserole from oven. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees. Remove foil and spread topping. Return to oven and bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- English muffin bread is sturdy and chewy, ideal for holding the casserole layers, but soft sandwich bread or buttery croissants can substitute if unavailable.
- Feel free to mix Swiss and cheddar with other melty cheeses of your choice.
- Use deli ham slices or leftover holiday ham thinly sliced for the meat layer.
- Powdered dried mustard adds subtle savory flavor; for yellow or Dijon mustard, substitute an equal amount mixed into the custard.
- Corn flakes create a crisp topping similar to cracker crumbs on dinner casseroles, lending a breakfast-appropriate crunch.
- The recipe makes around 12 brunch-sized servings and can be scaled; increase custard ingredients accordingly.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 534 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 534kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 206mg | 69% |
| Sodium | 845mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 323mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1216IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 453mg | 45% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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