Holiday Breakfast Casserole: A Festive and Hearty Dish Recipe
This Holiday Breakfast Casserole is a festive and hearty dish perfect for holiday mornings or special occasions. Loaded with eggs, bread, cheese, and optional meats and vegetables, it offers a flavorful and comforting start to your day. The casserole is soaked in a savory egg mixture and baked to golden perfection, making it easy to prepare ahead and serve warm with a fresh herb garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 6 cups cubed bread (such as French bread or sourdough)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)
- 1 cup cooked sausage or bacon, crumbled (optional)
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1 cup chopped spinach or kale (optional)
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Evenly layer the cubed bread across the bottom of the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the bread. If using, add the cooked sausage or bacon, diced bell peppers, and chopped spinach or kale. Pour the egg mixture evenly over all the ingredients, ensuring the bread is well soaked.
- Let It Sit: Allow the assembled casserole to rest for about 15 minutes at room temperature so the bread absorbs the egg mixture thoroughly.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is fully set and the top is lightly golden.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can customize this casserole by adding your favorite vegetables, meats, or cheeses.
- Using day-old bread works best as it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the sausage or bacon and add extra vegetables or cheese.
- The casserole can be prepared the night before; refrigerate covered before baking in the morning.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave before serving.
Keywords: holiday breakfast casserole, breakfast casserole recipe, festive breakfast, baked egg casserole, easy breakfast bake, savory breakfast
