Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

This Ham & Cheddar Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and satisfying dish that combines savory ham, melted Cheddar cheese, and soft, soaked bread in a creamy egg custard. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd at breakfast or brunch, with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Easy to assemble ahead of time, this casserole bakes into a golden, comforting meal that everyone will love. Whether for a weekend morning or a holiday gathering, it’s sure to become a family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Comforting and Hearty: This casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining rich, creamy eggs with the savory flavors of ham and melted Cheddar cheese. It’s filling and satisfying, making it the perfect way to start the day.

Easy to Make and Assemble: With simple ingredients and minimal prep, this dish comes together quickly. You can even assemble it the night before and bake it the next morning, making it an ideal choice for busy mornings or holiday brunches.

Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it’s a family breakfast or a gathering with friends, this casserole is sure to please a crowd. It’s flavorful, hearty, and can easily be scaled up or down depending on the number of guests.

Customizable: While the classic combination of ham and Cheddar is a winner, you can easily customize the casserole to suit your tastes. Add sautéed vegetables, swap the ham for bacon or sausage, or experiment with different cheeses—this recipe is versatile and adaptable.

Make-Ahead Convenience: Since you can prepare it ahead of time, it’s a great option for stress-free entertaining. Simply pop it in the oven when you’re ready, and it’ll come out hot, cheesy, and ready to serve!

Key Ingredients:

Eggs: The base of the casserole, providing a creamy, custard-like texture that holds all the ingredients together.

Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the egg mixture, creating a smooth, creamy consistency when baked.

Cubed Bread: The bread soaks up the egg mixture, becoming soft and fluffy as it bakes, giving the casserole its hearty, comforting texture.

Diced Country Ham: Provides a savory, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the richness of the eggs and cheese.

Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully over the top, adding a sharp, creamy flavor that ties everything together and gives the casserole its golden, bubbly finish.

Black Pepper & Salt: Simple seasonings that enhance the overall flavor and balance the richness of the other ingredients.

Ham & Cheddar Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray (for greasing)

2 cups milk

8 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 cups cubed bread (preferably day-old or slightly stale)

4 ounces diced country ham (or any preferred ham)

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

Prepare the Oven and Dish:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Whisk the Egg Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and smooth.

Layer the Ingredients:

Evenly distribute about three-fourths of the cubed bread in the prepared baking dish. Top with the diced ham and 1 cup of the shredded Cheddar cheese.

Add the Egg Mixture:

Pour the egg mixture over the bread and ham layers, making sure the liquid soaks into the bread. Gently press the remaining bread cubes on top and ensure they’re soaked in the egg mixture.

Top and Bake:

Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.

Cool and Serve:

Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

For extra flavor, you can add sautéed onions, bell peppers, or fresh herbs like parsley to the layers.
If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can assemble it the night before, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Just bake it the next morning, adding a few extra minutes if needed.

This Ham & Cheddar Breakfast Casserole is perfect for brunch, holiday mornings, or any time you want a hearty, comforting breakfast!

Notes:

Use Stale Bread: For the best texture, use slightly stale or day-old bread. It will soak up the egg mixture better and create a fluffier, more cohesive casserole. Fresh bread can become too soggy and not absorb enough of the liquid.

Customize the Ham: Feel free to substitute the country ham with any other type of cooked ham, such as deli ham, leftover holiday ham, or even cooked bacon or sausage. You can also try using a vegetarian alternative like sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a meatless version.

Add Vegetables: For extra flavor and nutrition, consider adding sautéed onions, bell peppers, or spinach to the casserole. These vegetables pair well with the eggs and cheese, making the casserole even more hearty and colorful.

Make Ahead Option: This casserole can be assembled the night before and stored in the refrigerator overnight. This makes it perfect for a stress-free morning, especially during holidays or gatherings. Just bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Check for Doneness: The casserole is done when the center is set (not jiggly) and the top is lightly golden brown. You can check the doneness by inserting a knife into the center—if it comes out clean, the casserole is ready.

Vary the Cheese: While Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other cheeses such as Monterey Jack, Swiss, or Pepper Jack for different flavors and textures. Mixing different cheeses can create a more complex taste.

Serving Tip: Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the casserole set, making it easier to serve and keeping the slices from falling apart.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 8 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole the night before.

Simply prepare the dish up to the point of baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, just pop it in the oven, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time if needed since it will be cold from the fridge.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While Cheddar cheese is classic in this casserole, you can substitute it with other cheeses like Swiss, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or even a blend of your favorites.

Each cheese will bring its own unique flavor, so feel free to experiment!

Can I make this casserole without meat?

Yes, this casserole can easily be made vegetarian. Instead of ham, you can add sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions for a delicious and hearty veggie option.

You can also use cooked sausage or bacon for a different meat option if you prefer.

Can I use fresh bread instead of stale bread?

While fresh bread will work, slightly stale or day-old bread is ideal because it soaks up the egg mixture better, creating a softer, fluffier texture.

If you’re using fresh bread, consider letting the bread cubes dry out a bit by leaving them out for a few hours or toasting them lightly before assembling the casserole.

How can I make this casserole lighter or healthier?

To lighten up this casserole, you can try using reduced-fat or fat-free milk, and substitute some of the whole eggs with egg whites.

You can also use a lower-fat cheese or reduce the cheese amount and add more veggies.

For a lower-sodium version, opt for a reduced-sodium ham or use fresh herbs and spices to add flavor without the salt.

Why is my casserole too soggy?

A soggy casserole could be the result of using too much fresh bread or not letting the bread absorb enough of the egg mixture.

To avoid this, use slightly stale or day-old bread, which absorbs the egg mixture more effectively.

Also, make sure to press the bread cubes into the liquid to help it soak in properly before baking.

How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?

The casserole is done when the center is set and no longer jiggly, and the top is golden brown.

You can check by inserting a knife or toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the casserole is ready. If it’s still runny, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes and check again.

Can I use a different size baking dish?

Yes, but if you use a larger or smaller baking dish, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

A larger dish will spread the mixture more thinly, potentially reducing baking time, while a smaller dish may require a longer baking time to fully cook through.

Keep an eye on it, and check for doneness.

Can I freeze the casserole?

Yes, you can freeze the casserole both before and after baking.

If freezing before baking, assemble the casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze.

When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as usual.

If freezing after baking, let the casserole cool completely before wrapping it well and freezing.

To reheat, bake from frozen or thaw and reheat at 350°F until heated through.

Can I add other ingredients like vegetables or spices?

Absolutely! You can customize this casserole with additional ingredients like sautéed spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or even shredded zucchini.

Fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, or chives also add great flavor.

Just be mindful not to add too much moisture from vegetables—sauté them first to release some water before adding them to the casserole.