Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole Recipe
A savory and satisfying Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole that combines eggs, ham, Swiss cheese, and French bread in a creamy custard base, baked to golden perfection. This hearty casserole is perfect for brunch or a special breakfast treat, served best with a side of sweet raspberry preserves.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Mixture
- 4 Whole Large Eggs
- 1 1/2 Cups Fat Free Half & Half
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- Pinch of Nutmeg
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
Main Ingredients
- 6 Cups Stale Cubed French Bread
- 9 Ounces Ham, diced or chopped
- 1 1/2 Cups Shredded Swiss Cheese
Other
- Non-stick cooking spray for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking; set aside.
- Mix Custard Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 whole eggs, 1 1/2 cups fat-free half & half, 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, a pinch of nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Bread and Custard: Add 6 cups of stale cubed French bread to the custard mixture, stirring gently until all bread pieces are evenly coated with the custard.
- Add Ham and Cheese: Fold in 9 ounces of diced ham and 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese carefully into the coated bread mixture, distributing evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform cooking.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes. Slice into portions and serve warm alongside raspberry preserves for a delicious sweet contrast.
Notes
- Using stale bread helps the casserole soak up the custard better without becoming too soggy.
- You can substitute the ham with turkey or roast chicken for a different twist.
- For a richer texture, you may use whole milk or heavy cream instead of fat free half & half.
- Ensure the baking dish size is around 8×8 or 9×9 inches to avoid under- or over-cooking.
- Serve the casserole with fruit preserves like raspberry for a classic Monte Cristo flavor balance.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to firm up for easier slicing.
Keywords: Monte Cristo casserole, breakfast casserole, baked egg dish, ham and cheese casserole, savory breakfast bake, Swiss cheese casserole
