How do you make an overnight breakfast casserole?

Make an overnight breakfast casserole by layering dried bread cubes with cooked bacon or ham, vegetables, and cheese in a greased baking dish. Pour an egg and milk custard mixture over the layers, cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature while preheating your oven to 350°F, then bake covered for 45-55 minutes until set.

Do you have to refrigerate breakfast casserole overnight before baking?

While it's not strictly required, refrigerating breakfast casserole for at least 3 hours before baking is highly recommended. This resting time allows the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture, resulting in a more cohesive texture and better flavor development. Overnight refrigeration (8-12 hours) provides the best results.

Can you make an overnight breakfast casserole without eggs?

Yes, though challenging, you can create an egg-free overnight breakfast casserole using commercial egg replacers, silken tofu pureed with nutritional yeast, or chickpea flour mixed with water. These alternatives won't perfectly replicate eggs' binding properties, so adding extra binding ingredients like mashed potatoes or additional cheese can help maintain structure.

What kind of bread works best for overnight breakfast casserole?

Heartier breads like brioche, challah, sourdough, French bread, or baguettes work best for overnight breakfast casserole. These breads have enough structure to absorb the egg mixture without disintegrating. Day-old or slightly dried bread is ideal as it absorbs liquid more effectively. Avoid standard sliced sandwich bread as it tends to become too soggy.

Can you add sausage, bacon, or vegetables to breakfast casserole?

Absolutely! Breakfast casseroles are incredibly versatile. Add cooked, crumbled sausage, bacon, or ham for protein. Popular vegetable additions include bell peppers, onions, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and asparagus. Just ensure vegetables with high water content (like mushrooms or spinach) are pre-cooked to remove excess moisture that could make your casserole soggy.

How long do you bake an overnight breakfast casserole?

Bake a standard 9×13 overnight breakfast casserole at 350°F for 45-55 minutes, covered with foil. For the last 10-15 minutes, you can remove the foil to allow the top to brown. The casserole is done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. If baking two pans at once, increase cooking time to 60-80 minutes.

Best Overnight Breakfast Casserole: Easy Make-Ahead Recipe

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Print Recipe

This easy make-ahead overnight breakfast casserole features layers of bread, bacon, cheese, and vegetables in a savory egg custard. Prepare it the night before for a stress-free, delicious morning meal!

Author: Chef Rina
Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 55
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12 1x
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

12 slices thick sliced bread cubed, about 14 cups
12 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, or 1 cup diced ham
3 green onions thinly sliced
½ red bell pepper finely diced
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 large eggs
3 cups milk
½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Cube bread and dry slightly by leaving it out overnight or placing in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. Do not brown or toast it.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, mustard powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Layer half of the bread cubes, followed by half of the bacon, green onions, red peppers, and cheese. Repeat layers once more.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole, ensuring all bread is moistened. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Remove from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature while preheating oven to 350°F.
Bake covered with foil for 45-55 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Notes

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods. For best results, use day-old bread and let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 12
Calories: 320Kcal
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 19g
Cholesterol: 140mg

Keywords: overnight breakfast casserole, make ahead breakfast, breakfast casserole, egg casserole, holiday breakfast

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/overnight-berry-breakfast-casserole/