This savory overnight Easter breakfast casserole recipe is made with rich brioche bread cubes, salty ham, deliciously seasoned eggs, and plenty of cheese making it perfect for brunch any time of year.
When you're looking to feed several people breakfast (or brunch), an easy breakfast casserole is always great meal to serve whether it's for Easter gatherings, Christmas brunch or just busy mornings.
The best part is that this breakfast casserole can be put together the night before so that all you have to do is take it out of the refrigerator and bake it in the oven the next morning.
Thanks to the richness of buttery brioche bread and custardy eggs, this ham and cheese casserole is perfect to serve for Christmas or Easter brunch or just because you want something special.
Plus, with using ham, you don't even have a large skillet to clean.
Brioche Breakfast Casserole Ingredients
- 16 ounces brioche - I used a pre-sliced loaf of brioche. You can find them at many grocery stores now including Aldi, The Fresh Market, and Publix - usually in the store bakery area.
If you can't find or don't like brioche, you can use a baguette, sandwich bread, or whatever you enjoy. For this particular egg casserole recipe, the bread doesn't need to be stale but it's okay if it is. - 2 cups cubed cooked ham - I don't recommend using a deli cut ham as it is thin and can dry out quickly. I used a ham steak I cubed up but leftover ham would also work well. If you don't like ham, you could use bacon or sausage instead as long as you precook it.
- 10 ounces cheese, shredded - This is equal to about 2 and a half cups of shredded cheese. I used colby jack but others like cheddar cheese and pepper jack would also work well.
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half - you can also use half milk and half heavy cream
- Dry mustard - This is a great spice to have in your pantry to add an extra kick of flavor to things like eggs and cheese sauces.
- Salt & pepper - I like using seasoned salt with eggs but you can use regular salt as well. You may want to adjust how much salt you use depending on the saltiness of the ham and cheese.
- Granulated onion and garlic - or onion powder and garlic powder
- Cayenne powder - This adds just a slight kick of spice to the dish but if you don't like spice at all, you can leave it out or add paprika instead.
And here are some more delicious options to change things up a bit.
- Optional garnishes - I liked to top with sliced green onions for color and extra flavor. A dollop of sour cream (or make it extra fancy with crème fraîche) is also a nice addition.
- Additional mix-in ideas - Green pepper or other bell pepper colors, partially cooked cubed potatoes or thawed hash browns
Recommended Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Casserole dish - A 9 x 13 works great.
- Dry measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Large bowl
- Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
- Serving spatula
How To Make Overnight Breakfast Casserole
1. Grease your baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Cut the bread into cubes and place half into the bottom of the baking dish in a single layer.
3. Place a cup of the ham on top of the bread and then half of the cheese on top of the ham. Repeat the layers.
4. Whisk the eggs together with the half and half, mustard, salt, granulated onion and garlic and peppers. Pour the mixture evenly over the casserole. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 30 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the cover from the casserole and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 to 55 minutes or until the eggs are cooked through and the cheese is melted. Check after 30 minutes baking time to make sure it isn't getting too browned. If it is, cover with foil until done.
6. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.
Can You Freeze Breakfast Casserole?
I haven't yet tried freezing this particular easy breakfast bake but I do think it should freeze and reheat just fine.
I recommend freezing after the initial bake for up to 3 months. Freezing the unbaked casserole may end up too mushy.
Thaw in the refrigerator, and then heat covered in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Remove the foil to let the casserole crisp up if needed.
If you don't freeze the leftovers (make sure to refrigerate them), reheat them the same way.
What To Serve With Breakfast Casserole
Drinks: Berry Spritzer
Side Dishes: Easy Oven Potatoes, fresh fruit
Dessert: Lemon Blueberry Trifle
More overnight brunch casseroles.
Easter Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This savory overnight Easter breakfast casserole recipe is made with rich brioche bread cubes, salty ham, deliciously seasoned eggs, and plenty of cheese making it perfect for brunch any time of year.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces brioche (does not have to be stale)
- 2 cups cubed cooked ham
- 10 ounces cheese, shredded (I used Colby jack)
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt* (see notes - I used 1 teaspoon seasoned salt)
- ¼ teaspoon granulated onion
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder (use smoked paprika for less spicy)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Grease a 9 x 13 oven-safe dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Cut 16 ounces of brioche bread into ½ inch cubes. Place half of the bread cubes into the baking dish in as even of a layer as you can get.
- Place 1 cup of the ham on top of the bread cubes. Place half of the cheese on top of the ham.
- Top the cheese with the other half of the bread, then the other cup of ham, and the other half of the cheese.
- Break 12 large eggs into a large mixing bowl, preferably one with a pour spout. Whisk to break apart yolks. Whisk in 2 cups half and half, ¼ teaspoon dry mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon granulated onion, ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic, ¼ teaspoon cayenne or paprika, and ½ teaspoon black pepper until thoroughly combined.
- Pour egg mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight or after it sits for at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- When the oven is preheated, put the casserole into the oven and bake for about 45 to 55 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked through and the cheese is melted. Check the casserole around 30 minutes into the baking time to make sure it isn’t getting too brown. If it is, cover loosely with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
- Let sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
* The amount of salt you use may depend on how salty the ham and cheese you use are.
See the original article at https://smartsavvyliving.com for tips to make this recipe, reheating directions, and serving ideas.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1/12th of dishAmount Per Serving: Calories: 359Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 281mgSodium: 755mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 20g
Nutrition information may not be accurate. Optional garnishes and toppings aren't included. Nutrition information is calculated automatically by and provided by Nutritionix. Exact nutrition information depends on the specific ingredients, brands, and amounts you use.
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Seasons01
Sunday 16th of October 2022
I should add it is a little sweeter with the Brioche Bread so make sure you add enough salt.
Seasons01
Sunday 16th of October 2022
I really wanted to make this for my son's birthday breakfast but we ran out of time. So a week later we made it. We used the Brioche Bread this time and boy does that make it so good! Always a hit! Can't wait for Easter!
Smart Savvy Living - Michelle
Sunday 16th of October 2022
@Seasons01, so glad you're still enjoying this recipe so much. Thank you for sharing and I hope your son had a wonderful birthday!
Seasons01
Saturday 16th of April 2022
Oh we used Country Potato white bread.
Seasons01
Saturday 16th of April 2022
* * * * *
I halved the recipe and it was very very good. Thank you! We're eating a late lunch at 3:00pm. Celebrating the day before Easter because we are going out to eat tomorrow. Yeah... this is lovely!
Smart Savvy Living
Tuesday 19th of April 2022
I'm so glad you enjoyed the casserole! Thanks so much for trying my recipe and taking the time to share how it turned out.