This Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole is hands down the BEST breakfast to wake up to. Slow roasted ham slices and cheddar cheese sandwiched between layers of soft buttery brioche bread, topped with warm syrup pairs well with a side of berries for a scrumptious breakfast.
If breakfast casserole is your jam, try this delicious Farmer’s Casserole and this Berries ‘n Cream French Toast Casserole.
Table of Contents
This breakfast casserole takes all your favorite breakfast eats and puts them together in one dish. There’s no better way to eat brioche bread, eggs, ham and cheese than in this hearty Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole.
What is brioche bread?
Brioche is a type of French bread that has a high egg and butter content. These two ingredients give it its yellowish color and soft and tender texture.
This ham and cheese brunch bake gets a nice sweet and soft texture from the brioche bread but you can substitute it with other breads. The best substitute is challah (egg bread) as it also has a rich flavor. You’ll get a slightly different taste and texture but still have a great ham and cheese brunch casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole
Make ahead option: If you’ve got a big crowd coming for brunch and want to do some prep beforehand you can get this casserole ready the night before. In the morning brush the egg mixture on the bread and throw it in the oven.
Sweet and savory: This breakfast casserole has a touch of sweetness from the brioche bread with loads of savory flavor from the ham and cheese.
Unique: This appetizing dish is like a ham and cheese sandwich casserole.
Ingredients For This Ham and Cheese Breakfast
- Brioche loaf – Use a brioche loaf or an egg bread for the best flavor.
- Slow roasted ham – Store bought or homemade are both good options.
- Cheddar cheese – Cheddar cheese pairs well but you can use a different kind if you don’t have any cheddar on hand.
- Eggs – Any type of eggs will work to make this breakfast casserole.
- Milk – Any type of milk will work, you can also use a non-dairy milk.
- Dried mustard – Dried mustard adds flavor.
- Salt – Add a pinch of salt to bring out all the flavors.
How to make this recipe for ham breakfast casserole
Step 1: Slice the brioche and have it ready to go and beat the eggs with the salt and dried mustard.
Step 2: Brush the egg mixture on to both sides of the bread and then place a slice of ham and cheese between two slices of brioche like a sandwich.
Step 3: Prop each sandwich up in the baking dish, side by side forming two rows of five sandwiches or as many as you can fit in your baking dish.
Step 4: Bake for 23-25 minutes at 400F degrees or until the bread tops start to brown and crisp up.
FAQs
There are some breakfast casseroles you need to prepare the night before but with this recipe, you have the option to prepare in advance or not.
A strata is a casserole that uses bread to soak up the egg mixture. A breakfast casserole can have eggs in it but not necessarily have bread as well.
Tips and Variations
Don’t cut the bread too thin: If you are slicing the brioche yourself make sure not to cut it too thin or it will tear in this ham and cheese egg bake with bread.
Substitute the dried mustard: If you don’t have or don’t want to use dried mustard, you can substitute with cinnamon. However the subtle hint of mustard really brings out the ham and cheese flavor in this recipe.
If you can’t fit the bread in your dish: If the bread slices don’t fit side by side in your baking dish, simply slice off both sides of the bread so that it is more narrow.
For a gluten-free casserole: To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the brioche bread for your favorite gluten-free option.
Serve leftovers for lunch: Any left overs can be served as a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch the next day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make ahead: This egg and ham casserole with bread can easily be made a few days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. You can also prepare the casserole the night before with a couple of modifications:
- If using brioche bread, don’t brush the bread with egg mixture until just before baking because the bread will get soggy. You can have the dish pre-arranged in the casserole pan to refrigerate overnight. Make sure it is wrapped tightly with plastic wrap. When ready to bake, brush with the egg mixture while the oven is pre-heating
- Alternatively, you can use a different bread if you want to prepare the dish the night before. Substitute the brioche for a hearty, crustier bread such as ciabatta, which will hold up well with the egg wash overnight.
Storage: Store leftovers of this ham and cheese breakfast bake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If you love a good breakfast casserole, check out these reader’s favorites
- Breakfast Apple Pie French Toast
- Smoked Salmon Breakfast Casserole
- Berries Cream Cheese French Toast
- Berries ‘n Cream French Toast Casserole
RECIPE TIP
You don’t need to use fresh bread to make this ham and cheese breakfast casserole. Stash a few loaves of brioche in the freezer and pull them out whenever you want to make this casserole.
If you make this Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag Garden In The Kitchen on Instagram!
Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 – 1/2 loaf brioche, about 20 slices
- 10 slices slow roasted ham
- 10 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp dried mustard
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400F degrees. Spray a 9 x 9 baking dish with cooking oil and set aside.
- Beat eggs in a small bowl, add milk, a pinch of salt and dried mustard and whisk to combine.
- Brush egg mixture on to both sides of brioche slices. please a folded slice of ham and a slice cheese between two bread slices and arrange them in baking dish side by side, forming two rolls of ten bread slices or as many as you can fit in your baking dish.
- Once you are through with all the bread, bake uncovered for 23-25 minutes or until bread tops starts to brown and crisp up.
- Serve with warm syrup and a side of berries.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Save this recipe to Pinterest for later!
Just hover over the image and click the “Save” button.
Save this recipe to Pinterest for later!
Just hover over the image and click the “Save” button.
This recipe calls for milk with the directions do not say how or when do you use it
Oops, sorry about that! recipe is fixed. The milk is added to the egg mix ๐