Delicious Make-Ahead Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake: Your Ultimate Brunch Casserole
The Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake is a quintessential make-ahead casserole that promises a comforting, hearty start to any day, especially perfect for leisurely weekend brunches or busy weekday mornings. What truly sets this particular recipe apart is its exquisite balance: it’s wonderfully rich and delightfully cheesy, yet never overwhelmingly eggy, striking that perfect harmony many breakfast bakes often miss. It’s a fantastic solution for utilizing leftover bread, transforming what might otherwise go to waste into a star dish. Whether you have a surplus of homemade Challah, a sturdy sourdough loaf, or even a simple French baguette, this recipe offers a delicious and practical way to enjoy every last crumb. Its adaptability and robust flavor make it a perennial favorite for families and entertaining alike.
Choosing the Right Pan Size for Your Breakfast Casserole
This versatile Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake recipe can be scaled to fit your needs, making it ideal for both large gatherings and smaller family meals. The standard preparation calls for a 9×13 inch baking pan, which yields a generous casserole perfect for serving twelve or more guests. However, if you’re cooking for fewer people or prefer a smaller portion, you can easily scale the recipe down to one-third and bake it in a loaf pan. This flexibility ensures you always have the right amount without unnecessary leftovers, though truth be told, leftovers of this dish are always a welcome sight!
One fascinating characteristic of this breakfast bake, much like a classic lasagna, is that its flavors and textures often improve with time. Many find that the casserole is even better after it has been baked, allowed to cool completely, and then gently reheated. During the cooling and resting period, the ingredients have more time to meld together, allowing the savory ham, rich cheeses, and delicate egg mixture to deepen in flavor. Reheating also helps the structure of the casserole to set more firmly, resulting in cleaner slices and a less “wet” texture. So, don’t hesitate to prepare this dish the day before your event; it’s a make-ahead marvel that truly shines when given a little extra time to develop.
Customize Your Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake: Endless Mix & Match Options
The beauty of the Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake lies in its incredible versatility. While the recipe features a delightful combination of spinach and asparagus, these are merely suggestions, opening the door to a world of customization based on your preferences or what you have on hand. The golden rule when incorporating vegetables is to always sauté them or use pre-cooked vegetables. Raw vegetables, particularly those with high water content, release too much moisture during baking. This excess liquid can lead to a soggy, mushy texture in your casserole, detracting from the desired firm yet tender consistency. For instance, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or even kale would be fantastic additions, but always ensure they are softened and their excess moisture has been cooked off before adding them to the bake.
Beyond vegetables, you can experiment with various bread types. While Challah bread provides a rich, slightly sweet base and French bread offers a classic, hearty chew, the possibilities don’t end there. Consider using slices of sturdy sourdough for a tangy note, brioche for an extra touch of buttery richness, or even a good quality whole wheat bread for a nuttier flavor and added fiber. For those with dietary restrictions, many excellent gluten-free breads can also be cubed and used successfully. The key is to choose a bread that can hold up to the liquid mixture without disintegrating, ideally a day-old loaf that is slightly firm.
The “Ham and Cheese” part of this bake is also open to interpretation. Instead of diced ham, try cooked breakfast sausage (pork, turkey, or even vegetarian varieties) for a different flavor profile. Crumbled, crispy bacon is another excellent choice that adds a smoky depth. For a leaner option, diced turkey or chicken can be used. And let’s not forget the cheese! While cheddar and an Italian blend are specified, feel free to explore other meltable cheeses. Gruyere offers a nutty, earthy flavor, Swiss cheese adds a delicate sweetness, and Monterey Jack provides extra creaminess. A combination of sharp and mild cheeses often yields the best complexity. You could even sprinkle some feta or goat cheese for a Mediterranean twist or a stronger, saltier note. Don’t be afraid to mix and match; this casserole is incredibly forgiving and encourages culinary creativity!
For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or a touch of nutmeg to the egg mixture. A dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes can introduce a subtle kick, while a sprinkle of paprika on top before baking can add both color and a smoky aroma. With so many possibilities, this Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake truly becomes a canvas for your culinary imagination, making it hard to go wrong.
- Ham & Cheddar Biscuits
- Butterscotch Breakfast Bars
- Chocolate Breakfast Muffins
- Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
- Seven Egg Yolks Challah
Recipe: Hearty Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake
Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake
By Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 6-8 cups cubed Challah bread or French bread (approx. 14-16 oz, preferably day-old for best texture)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ⅔ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cups diced ham (cut into ½ inch cubes)
- 2 cups chopped baby spinach or asparagus (optional, ensure pre-cooked or wilted if raw)
- 1 cup (4 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (4 oz) shredded Italian blend cheese (or your favorite blend like Gruyere, Swiss, or Monterey Jack)
- 6 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 1 ½ cups milk (whole or 2% recommended for richness)
- ½ cup regular or fat-free half & half (adds a lovely creamy texture)
- ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese (or use shredded Parmesan for convenience)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
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Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to a steady 350 degrees F (175 C). Thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. For best results and easy cleanup, consider using a non-stick cooking spray or a thin layer of butter.
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Arrange the Bread: Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Gently press the bread down to create a compact, uniform layer. This helps ensure that all the bread cubes get nicely soaked in the egg mixture.
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Sauté Fillings: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Next, add the diced ham (and asparagus, if you’re using it). Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ham begins to lightly brown around the edges. If incorporating spinach, add it towards the very end of cooking, stirring just until it wilts, which usually takes only a minute or two. This ensures your vegetables are perfectly tender and don’t release excess moisture during baking.
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Layer Ingredients: Carefully spread the sautéed ham and vegetable mixture evenly over the layer of bread cubes in the baking dish.
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Prepare Egg Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the lightly beaten eggs, milk, and half & half until well combined and smooth. Stir in both the shredded cheddar cheese and Italian blend cheese. Pour this creamy egg and cheese mixture evenly over the bread, ham, and vegetables in the baking dish. Make sure all the bread cubes are thoroughly moistened.
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Final Seasoning: Lightly sprinkle the top of the casserole with the shaved Parmesan cheese and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. This adds a beautiful golden crust and extra depth of flavor.
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Bake and Serve: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the center is set (a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean), and the edges are bubbling. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it stand for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the casserole to set further, making it easier to portion.
Notes
Make-Ahead Perfection: This Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake is an ideal make-ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it. On the morning you plan to serve, simply uncover and bake as directed, potentially adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time to ensure it heats through completely from cold. The flavors will meld beautifully overnight, enhancing the overall taste and making your morning stress-free.
Optimal Texture: For the absolute best shape and texture, consider baking the casserole, allowing it to cool slightly, chilling it overnight, and then gently reheating it the next day. This method allows the egg custard to set firmly, preventing a watery consistency and ensuring beautifully defined slices. Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven, covered with foil, until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes.
Storage and Freezing: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To freeze, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or freeze the entire cooled casserole (if planning ahead) in a freezer-safe dish. It can be stored for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions: This savory breakfast bake is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit salad, a side of crispy bacon or sausage (if not included in the bake), or a light green salad for brunch. Don’t forget coffee and juice!