CHEESY HAM & BACON BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

By T G
@GrannyGravymaker

This is one of our favorite "assemble the night before" breakfast casseroles and is a great use for the leftovers from that holiday meal. It's a yummy combination of croissants and Italian bread soaked in a savory eggy custard with smoked ham and three melty cheeses topped with finely crumbled bacon and fresh chives. So delicious!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Wow, not only does this breakfast casserole taste delicious it smells wonderful too! The croissants are what makes this special. They add a fabulous buttery flavor to the dish that other breakfast casseroles can lack. The ham and bacon are a tasty pair and the glorious cheese is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★★ 2 votes

Comments:

39 Comments

Serves:

9 to 12

Prep:

1 Hr 15 Min

Cook:

1 Hr

Method:

Bake

Ingredients

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5 large: croissants (stale, torn/cut bite-size)
2 thick slice: Italian bread (stale, torn bite-size)
1 1/2 c: leftover baked ham, chopped bite-size
1 large: shallot, minced
6 oz: baby Swiss cheese, shredded or chopped
3 to 4 oz: Monterey Jack cheese, shredded/chopped
4 large: eggs
2 c: milk (whole or 2%)
3/4 to 1 tsp: Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt (or your favorite seasoned salt)
1/8 c: sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1/8 to 1/4 c: real, finely crumbled smoked bacon bits
1 Tbsp: minced fresh chives

How to Make CHEESY HAM & BACON BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Step-by-Step

1The evening before, gather and prep ingredients.
2Spray a 13" x 9" baking dish with butter flavored cooking oil spray or grease with real butter.
3Evenly distribute torn croissants and bread in baking dish.
4Evenly distribute chopped ham, minced shallots, baby Swiss and Monterey Jack over bread; set aside.
5In a mixing bowl, whisk together 4 eggs and about 1/2 cup of the milk, until well blended; whisk in the salt; add remainder of milk in several stages, whisking well after each.
6Slowly pour milk mixture all over the casserole.
7Scatter small amount of extra-sharp cheddar over casserole. Lightly press down on the casserole with large spoon or impeccably clean hands (as Julia Child would say!) to help the bread soak up the liquid.
8Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil; place in refrigerator overnight.
9The next day, approximately 1 1/4 hours before mealtime, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
10Remove casserole from refrigerator; temporarily remove foil; scatter finely crumbled bacon over top.
11Cover with foil; place casserole dish on a baking sheet; bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, remove foil, rotate baking sheet and bake, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes.
12Allow to cool for a few minutes, then scatter chives over the top. Serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.