Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe
  • How To Make A Breakfast Casserole
  • Formula For An Easy Breakfast Casserole
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Serve With Breakfast Casserole Recipes
  • More Make Ahead Breakfast Casseroles
  • Tools I Recommend
  • Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!)

Tired of rushing through your mornings without a healthy breakfast, or not sure what to make for brunch for a special occasion? This totally customizable, easy breakfast casserole recipe is here to save the day! It’s based on my keto breakfast casserole, but even more custom for any lifestyle. You can use any protein, veggies (or potatoes), and cheese you like or have on hand — I’ll show you my foolproof formula below.

Plus, this breakfast egg casserole is incredibly easy to whip up. You can even prepare it the night before and bake it the next day, making your mornings smoother than ever. From busy weekdays to holiday morning brunch, breakfast casserole recipes are a staple in my house. I hope they will be in yours, too!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe

  • Savory, cheesy, and packed with flavor
  • Moist and fluffy texture
  • Quick prep time and hands-off cook time
  • Healthy and naturally gluten-free
  • Endless customization options
  • Great for meal prep on busy weekdays, or make it ahead for a Christmas morning breakfast
Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for a breakfast egg casserole, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Olive Oil – Used for sauteing the meats and veggies. Avocado oil, butter, or any neutral cooking oil works here.
  • Meat – I made this breakfast casserole with ham, but any cooked meat will work. You can’t go wrong with crumbled baked bacon (on top or mixed in), air fryer turkey bacon, breakfast sausage (or pork sausage), beef (think finely chopped top sirloin), leftover Instant Pot chicken breast, or even Mexican chorizo. To keep it vegetarian, simply omit the meat.
  • Veggies – I used diced yellow onion, bell peppers, and white mushrooms, but this is the perfect opportunity to use up anything you have on hand. Try roasted red peppers,frozen or sauteed spinach, celery, roasted asparagus, seeded tomatoes, or other leftover roasted vegetables or sauteed vegetables. Cut the veggies to the same size, so they cook at the same rate. For a more hearty breakfast casserole, add diced roasted potatoes or hash browns, or place a layer of tater tots on top before adding the cheese.
  • Garlic – I recommend using fresh minced garlic for the best flavor, but you can also use jarred for convenience, or substitute 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder instead (just mix it with the eggs). You can also chop leftover roasted garlic if you have some.
  • Eggs – For a fluffier casserole, it’s best to use room temperature eggs. You can also use just egg whites if you want to lighen it up. This breakfast casserole recipe calls for 12 eggs, so you’d need 18 if using only the whites.
  • Milk Or Cream – Whisking the eggs with half and half makes light and airy eggs that taste rich and savory. You can also use regular milk, watered down heavy cream, coconut milk, or almond milk.
  • Cheese – I used sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe for breakfast casserole, but feel free to use any kind you have in your fridge, like mozzarella, American, Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese. You can also omit the cheese (and use a dairy free milk above) if you need that option.
  • Salt & Pepper – For simple seasoning. You could also add 2 teaspoons dried herbs or 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, such as parsley, oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning.
  • Garnish – I garnished with green onions, but you can also use fresh herbs here or just skip it. You could also drizzle with my blender hollandaise sauce for added flavor and creaminess.

See below for the formula I use for all my breakfast casserole recipes, so you can use whatever you have on hand!

Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (3)

How To Make A Breakfast Casserole

This section shows how to make this (or virtually any) easy breakfast casserole recipe, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Brown the meat. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet(any pan will work, but I prefer a cast iron skilletfor nice browning). Add the ham or any meats you’re using, and cook until browned. You’ll need medium heat for a cast iron skillet, or medium-high for any other one. Remove and set aside.
  2. Saute the vegetables. Add more oil to the skillet and saute the onions until translucent. Add the garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms (or any veggies) and cook until softened. (If you’re using any leftover vegetables that were already cooked, you can skip sauteing them.)
Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (4)
Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (5)
  1. Combine the meat and veggies. Remove vegetables from heat and stir in the cooked meat. Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish.
  2. Make the egg base. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk or cream, some of the cheese, salt, and pepper.
Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (6)
Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (7)
  1. Assemble the casserole. Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish over the meat and veggies, and stir to combine. Top with more cheese.
  2. Bake the breakfast egg casserole. It’s done when the eggs are set and the edges are golden brown. Garnish with green onions or fresh herbs if you like.
Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (8)
Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (9)

Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (10)

Formula For An Easy Breakfast Casserole

Follow this easy ingredient formula for the best breakfast casserole — you can use it with any ingredients you have on hand:

  • 1 pound cooked meat
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 3 cups cooked veggies (and/or potatoes)
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk or cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoons each salt & pepper

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Cover the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap, or place slices in an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Make ahead: For a make ahead breakfast casserole follow all the steps except the baking at the end. You can cover it and store it in the fridge for 1-2 days. You can bake it right from the fridge, but it will cook more evenly if you let it come to room temperature before baking.
  • Reheat: You can reheat individual portions in the microwave if you need to. For better results, bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes for the whole casserole, or 5-10 minutes for individual slices.
  • Freeze before baking: Follow all the steps in the easy egg casserole recipe above, except for baking. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
  • Freeze after baking: Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. If you prefer single pieces, cut them and wrap each one. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (11)

What To Serve With Breakfast Casserole Recipes

Whether you want an early breakfast or a late brunch, there’s so many easy sides to serve with breakfast casserole recipes! Here are a few ideas:

  • Potatoes – For a classic breakfast, serve with roasted potatoes, hash browns, or sweet potato hash (with no added egg). If you want a lighter option, try my cauliflower hash browns instead.
  • Bakery Favorites – Try my easy chocolate chip banana muffins, some healthy breakfast bars, chocolaty protein donuts, or moist almond flour zucchini bread.
  • Pancakes & Waffles – If you have the time, whip up some almond flour pancakes with maple syrup (I prefer sugar-free maple syrup), or repurpose similar ingredients to make chaffles.
  • Breakfast Meats – If you have some vegetarian family members, you can omit the meat from the casserole itself (replace it with additional veggies) and serve bacon or sausage on the side for those that want them.
  • Salads – Serve this easy breakfast casserole with brunch-inspired salads, like arugula salad or burrata salad.
  • Fruit – Make a platter of fresh fruit (plain, with yogurt, or with healthy fruit dip), a fruity acai bowl, or an easy fruit salad.

More Make Ahead Breakfast Casseroles

Want to make your mornings even easier? From full-sized breakfast casserole recipes to smaller ones, you can prep these recipes ahead of time to make your mornings a breeze:

Egg Muffin Recipe

Spinach Quiche Recipe

Keto Breakfast Casserole

Eggs Benedict Casserole

  • Baking Dish– My favorite… you’ll spot it in probably hundreds of photos here on Wholesome Yum. It goes beautifully from oven to table. It’s also freezer-safe, so I can easily prep this egg casserole recipe ahead of time, store it in the freezer, and bake it in the same dish.
  • Cast Iron Skillet– My favorite for even heating and great browning.

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Recipe Card

Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (17)

4.94 from 32 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Breakfast Casserole Recipe (Easy!)

Make this easy breakfast casserole recipe with eggs, and any meats, veggies & cheese you have on hand. It's quick & completely customizable!

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 45 minutes

Total: 55 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 8 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (191 degrees C) and grease the bottom of a large baking dish (this one is my favorite).

  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet (preferably a cast iron skillet) over medium heat. Add the ham and cook for 5-6 minutes, until browned. Remove the ham from the skillet and set aside.

  3. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the onions and saute for 3-5 minutes, until translucent.

  4. Add the garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.

  5. Remove from heat and stir in the ham. (You can also stir in the green onions here if you like.) Transfer the vegetable/ham mixture to the baking dish.

  6. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, 1 cup of the cheese, salt, and pepper.

  7. Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish and stir to combine. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.

  8. Bake breakfast egg casserole for about 30 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the edges are golden brown.

  9. Garnish with green onions if desired.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 slice, or 1/8 of the entire recipe

Nutrition info does not include optional green onions.

You can customize this easy breakfast casserole recipe to use up any meats, veggies, or cheeses you have! See the post above for the formula to do that.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories449

Fat33.3g

Protein30g

Total Carbs7g

Net Carbs5.6g

Fiber1.4g

Sugar3.7g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Breakfast

Cuisine:American

Keywords:breakfast casserole, breakfast casserole recipe, breakfast casserole recipes, breakfast egg casserole, easy breakfast casserole

Calories: 449 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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FAQs

Why is my breakfast casserole soggy? ›

Your vegetables could be to blame

According to Allrecipes, the vegetables you selected are the most common culprit for your watery casserole, due to the high percentage of moisture that some of them contain in their raw form which seeps out as they cook down in your dish.

What is a breakfast casserole made of? ›

To make a breakfast casserole you beat some eggs, add milk and cheese, add cubed bread, add "mix-ins" like mushrooms, veggies, sausage, and herbs, put it in a casserole dish, and bake.

How do you keep breakfast casserole from falling? ›

For a puffy egg casserole, you can prevent falling by cooking at a lower temperature, as with this recipe.

How many days is breakfast casserole good for? ›

Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C). Bake the casserole, uncovered, until the top is golden, edges are crisp, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40–45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Why do you have to refrigerate breakfast casserole overnight? ›

The casserole is covered and refrigerated overnight to allow the liquid ingredients to be absorbed into the bread. This is a perishable mixture and should be cooked the morning or day after assembly. Bake in an oven set no lower than 325 °F. Most recipes suggest 350 °F.

How do you make a moist casserole? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

Why is it called John Wayne casserole? ›

So, did John Wayne himself invent his eponymous casserole? Not exactly. The actor did submit the recipe himself, but the original dish detailed in Connery's cookbook described a more understated egg and cheese casserole than the dish folks enjoy today.

What is John Wayne casserole made of? ›

That's right, the iconic John Wayne Casserole is named after none other than the actor himself. Typically, you'll find that most recipes call for refrigerated biscuits or Bisquick, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, sour cream, mayonnaise, ground beef, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and Cheddar cheese.

What are 5 components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

How do you thicken breakfast casserole? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

How do you know when breakfast casserole is done? ›

How do you know when breakfast casserole is done? Just stick a knife into the center of your egg casserole recipe after 55 minutes of baking. If it comes out clean, your baked egg casserole is ready!

Can I leave breakfast casserole out overnight? ›

The USDA recommends that cooked eggs and egg dishes should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking and consumed within 3-4 days.

Can you leave raw egg mixture in fridge? ›

If you've got raw egg yolks or whites left over from a recipe which you don't want to waste (let's face it, why would you?), you can store them in the fridge as long as you plan to use them within the next few days.

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Putting a casserole together a day or so before baking ensures that everything is ready to go when dinner time rolls around. That means no rushing at the last minute. Along with greater convenience, making a casserole ahead of time also results in a richer, deeper taste.

How long does it take to bake an egg at 350? ›

Bake eggs at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes or until the yolk reaches your desired doneness. If your eggs don't come right out, run a knife around the edges to help them loosen.

How do you make a casserole not soggy? ›

To prevent a soupy casserole, be sure to fully thaw any frozen vegetables in a colander over a bowl, and pat dry, squeeze excess moisture out of greens like spinach or chard, and quickly precook watery fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms or squashes just until they release their moisture.

Why is my egg casserole watery? ›

Be sure to drain ingredients well, squeezing out excess moisture whenever possible. Watery ingredients will create a watery egg bake. Season every layer to achieve a more flavorful egg bake. Season your egg mixture as well as the vegetables you may cook for the filling.

Why is my hash brown casserole soggy? ›

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking, which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

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