Prepare breakfast ahead of time for easy mornings with this easy and family pleasing Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Cheese. This easy breakfast casserole is made with bread, ham, cheese, green chiles and eggs.
I’m always up for a good savory breakfast! Also check out this Breakfast Pizza, this Migas Recipe, or Biscuits and Sausage Gravy.
I’m all for preparing ahead of time, and I’m pretty sure this easy breakfast casserole is my answer! All it takes is 15 minutes the day before to prepare, then into the refrigerator it goes. It does take a little bit of time to bake in the morning, but it’s easy to get it baking while you are getting the kids up and ready. And then there is a hot breakfast for everyone before you send the kids off to school.
This easy breakfast casserole recipe is especially perfect for holiday mornings, or the days following a holiday when you just don’t want to have to fuss over breakfast in the morning.
Ingredients
This breakfast casserole only has a few ingredients:
- Cubed French Bread – You’ll need about 3/4 lb of bread.
- Diced Green Chiles – I love that these bring in some extra flavor without making the dish too spicy.
- Ham, Cubed – you can really use any ham that you want here, but this is especially great with leftover holiday ham, like this Crock Pot Ham or this Brown Sugar and Cherry Glazed Ham. If I don’t have leftover ham on hand, I’ll pick up a ham steak at the grocery store.
- Cheddar Cheese – I suggest grating this fresh, as it tends to melt a lot better than the pre-grated cheese.
- Eggs – I always use large eggs.
- Milk – I always have 2% on hand, but you should be find to use 1% or whole if that is what you have.
- Spicy Brown Mustard – again, I love this because it brings in a lot of flavor without making the finished dish too spicy. But you could sub in any mustard that you love.
- Salt and Pepper – always important!
How to Make Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Cheese
Start by combining the bread cubes, green chile and cheese and stir to combine. Put those into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Use the same bowl (no need to get another bowl dirty!) and crack all 6 eggs into the bowl. Whisk lightly, just enough to break up the yolks. Add in the milk, mustard salt and pepper and whisk to combine.
Pour the egg mixture over the bread. You’ll probably need to press down on the bread slightly to make sure it all gets coated with the egg mixture.
Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate the casserole overnight.
When ready to bake, let it sit out for 30 minutes before baking it for about an hour, or until it is cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What kind of bread do you use in a breakfast casserole?
I originally made this recipe with leftover French bread that I had on hand, and it works perfectly. But if you don’t have French bread, regular white bread, or any other bread that you have on hand. I think it would also be great with croissants!
How far in advance can I make this?
It’s best if you make this the day before you want to serve it. But I wouldn’t make it too far in advance. Try to stick with 2 days or less.
What could I use instead of ham?
This casserole would also be great with sausage or bacon, or leave the meat out and make it vegetarian!
More overnight breakfast casserole recipes
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Apple Raisin Overnight French Toast Casserole
Creme Brulee French Toast
Cranberry Orange Baked French Toast Casserole
Eggs Benedict Strata
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Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Cheese
Ingredients
- 6 cups of cubed day old French bread about 3/4 lb
- 1 (4.5 oz) can diced green chiles
- 10 oz cubed ham
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, green chiles, ham, and cheddar cheese. Mix completely, then pour into the prepared baking dish.6 cups of cubed day old French bread, 1 (4.5 oz) can diced green chiles, 10 oz cubed ham, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- In the same bowl, lightly whisk the eggs to break up the yolks. Add in the milk, mustard, salt, and pepper and whisk to combine.6 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the bread mixture. Use your hands or a large spoon to gently press down on the bread to make sure it is completely soaked by the egg mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
- Preheat the oven to 300ºF. Uncover and bake the casserole until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 1 hour.
Toni says
Can I make it the next morning and bake it right away since we are using our left over ham or is it a must to sit overnight?
Deborah says
You can bake it right after. If you even have an hour to let it sit in the refrigerator so the bread can really soak up the mixture, that is best, but if not, it should still be great!
Debbie Hammel says
I didn’t see the temperature for this and time to cook. (1 hour?)
Deborah says
I am so sorry – I’m not sure what happened there! I have updated the recipe card and all of the instructions are there now. 🙂
Kay Miller says
Would this breakfast casserole still be good if I were to freeze it for a few days before baking it?
Beth M. says
This is my go-to recipe for breakfast casseroles. It’s comfort food! I’ve used it for several years, very popular at church potlucks.
MiMi says
Love this easy easy make ahead and i use Sausage too And stead of ham My family enjoys this on special mornings and for a quick breakfast thank you for a great recipe
Renee @ Awesome on $20 says
I love a savoury bread pudding, and you really can’t beat ham and cheese. I’m definitely making this.
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I love make ahead breakfasts like this!
Chels R. says
I love these make ahead breakfasts that you just throw in the oven the next morning. Makes breakfast so much easier the following day. Your daughter is so sweet. You must of really made your trip special if she wanted to do it all over again. 🙂
Emily of Sugar Plum says
I looove all of the breakfast ideas! They all sound delicious. I can’t believe your little girl is old enough to be going to school! That’s crazy. She’s going to have so much fun, though!
Elizabeth - Cooking with Milton says
I love a breakfast casserole, and usually use sausage, but this one seems lighter. Thanks!
Cate O'Malley says
This looks like a delicious way to start the day, yum!
Rachael {La Fuji Mama} says
We got home late last night from a family reunion in Colorado (I did it alone too…my hubby was on a business trip), and I’m hearing similar things from my kids this morning! It’s hard to come back from pure fun to doing things like chores and getting ready for school, isn’t it? And school!! Good call on morning kindergarten…that’s the way we went, and I was so glad. We got school done first thing, and then we had the afternoon to process the experience, do homework, and still have plenty of time left for play. This breakfast casserole looks like just the thing to kick off a big day!
Chelsea @ Gal on a Mission says
Looks delicious! Such a cute story with your little one! I was always like that as a child – always go, go, go!
Hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I too just got back home from a week with family…and I wish I had come home to this instead of a bunch of rotten tomatoes! Eggs, ham and cheese? Count me ALL over this! Pinned!