Make This Easy Breakfast Casserole the Night Before for a No-Stress Brunch (2024)

On vacation, having too much fun to realize that nothing has been planned for meals, fridge mostly empty, remembering that uh-oh, I'm the one in charge of feeding my friend's children that day.

Oops!

Open the refrigerator door, see half a dozen eggs, half a carton of milk, some cheddar cheese, leftover sausage from biscuits and gravy the day before, a little broccoli, a leftover ear of corn (cooked).

Open the freezer and see half a loaf of sliced bread. Saved!

Whew. I won't have to reach for the boxed mac and cheese.

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What's the Base of This Breakfast Casserole?

Have you ever made a breakfast casserole?

The basic ingredients are eggs, cheese, milk, and bread. It's the easiest thing in the world to put together. We have a sausage breakfast casserole on the site that is one of my favorites.

"Open Fridge Breakfast Bake"

The great thing about a breakfast casserole is that you can add almost anything you want to the base. Italian sausage is my all-time favorite, but bacon or ham will do, too. Or make it veggie with zucchini, broccoli, basil, and onions.

The first time I served this to the kids they insisted that it had to go on the website. The name they picked was "Open Fridge Breakfast Bake" because basically that's what I did—opened the fridge, put everything I could find into a casserole dish, and baked it.

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How to Make a Breakfast Casserole

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.

Easy, right? The ingredients basically all come together in one big casserole pan, but there are a few steps I would recommend first:

  • If you are using a lot of mushrooms, sauté them a bit beforehand to release some of their moisture.
  • You can add cooked, sturdy veggies such as broccoli into the casserole, or put them in raw. If using raw veggies, cut them into smaller pieces and know that they'll be crunchier if you put them in raw instead of cooked.
  • If you are adding sausage or bacon, cook it first before adding it to the casserole.

The proportions of ingredients are adjustable. If you add more eggs, it will result in a casserole that is more firm and less likely to deflate.

Day-old or stale bread works best for a breakfast casserole, but if you don't have any, just leave slices of fresh bread out on the counter to dry for a few hours, or put the slices in a low oven (200°F, 10 min) or toaster for a minute (just enough to dry them a little).

What to Serve With a Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast casserole is truly a meal in itself! It has starch (bread), milk, cheese, meat, and vegetables. It can be made for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Serve it with some sliced fresh fruit on the side for breakfast, or if making for dinner, a green salad. If you omit the veggies in the casserole, consider serving some sautéed vegetables on the side. Or if leaving out the meat, some crispy bacon or cooked sausages.

Make Ahead Instructions

Breakfast casseroles are almost designed to be made ahead. You can assemble the whole thing the night before, put it in the fridge (covered), and bake it the next morning. It's minimal work when you wake up and a low stress breakfast if you have a group of people to feed.

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How to Store and Reheat a Breakfast Casserole

This breakfast casserole will keep for a few days in the fridge, covered. You can microwave it until it's hot, one serving at a time, or you can reheat the whole casserole in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until it's heated through.

Do you have a favorite breakfast casserole combo? If so, please let us know about it in the comments.

How to Freeze Lasagna and Other CasserolesREAD MORE:

More Easy, Lazy Breakfast Casseroles

  • Tater Tot Casserole
  • Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
  • Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole
  • Zucchini Breakfast Casserole
  • Bagel Breakfast Casserole

Readers Share Their Variations

Elise Bauer first published this in 2008, and it's been a favorite recipe on the site since then.

  • Lana: "Used leftover ham, a few shriveled mushrooms, added an onion, and sauteed these. After sauteing, I tossed in a head of broccoli with a touch of water and steamed for a few min while I prepared the other stuff. I used leftover pumpernickel bread, about 1/3 a container of 3% sour cream, and pepperjack cheese. It is amazing!!! The pumpernickel and broccoli play nicely together."
  • Sam: "Made this today with spinach, sautéed onion, leftover roasted potatoes, and fresh rosemary. Delish!!"
  • Becky: I’ve been making this casserole for 2+ years and after it cools down, I cut into squares and put in freezer safe tupperware containers with those snapping lids that clasp on the side. It keeps great in our deep freezer and is easy to reheat in the microwave!"
  • NB: "Great way to repurpose leftover Thanksgiving stuffing! Especially when your guests are done with "leftovers" and you still need to feed them Saturday or Sunday morning :-)"
  • MrsIndyKansas: "Most every meat and vegetable taste good in it! I’ve even used half and half, yogurt and sour cream mixed with my milk. I’ve used whatever cheese I had on hand. I love to use my cast iron to cook bacon. Then use the grease to cook up an onion, bell, jalapeño and garlic. You can use most breads also. It’s just an amazing recipe."

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Easy Breakfast Casserole

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time50 mins

Total Time65 mins

Servings8 servings

The ingredient proportions are estimates. The more eggs, the firmer and less likely to deflate the casserole will be.

Mushrooms tend to hold a lot of moisture, so if you use a lot of them, you may want to sauté them first to release some of their water.

Don't have day-old bread? Put slices of fresh bread into a 200°F oven for 10 minutes.

Ingredients

For the breakfast casserole base

  • 6 to 10 large eggs

  • 2 to 3 cups grated cheddar cheese

  • 6 slices day-old bread, cut into 3/4-inch to 1-inch-wide cubes

  • 2 cups milk

  • Salt, to taste

  • Pepper, to taste

For the possible additions

  • 1 cup corn kernels, cooked or frozen

  • 1/2 cup chopped broccoli, cooked or raw (raw will turn out crunchier)

  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions

  • 1 cup cubed ham and/or cooked Italian sausage

  • 3 slices cooked bacon, chopped

  • 1 teaspoon Herbesde Provence or other dried herbs, (or 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs such as basil, rosemary, or thyme)

  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cumin or curry powder

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Make the casserole base:

    Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Mix in the milk and cheese.

    Add the bread and carefully stir until all pieces of bread are moistened (don't over mix or the bread may disintegrate).

    Make This Easy Breakfast Casserole the Night Before for a No-Stress Brunch (4)

    Make This Easy Breakfast Casserole the Night Before for a No-Stress Brunch (5)

  3. Add the additions:

    Add salt and pepper to taste (if using Italian sausage, you won't need either). If you have a lot of additions, you might need a couple more eggs to make sure that everything is at least touching some egg mixture. Just whisk in 2 tablespoons of milk for every beaten egg you add.

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    Make This Easy Breakfast Casserole the Night Before for a No-Stress Brunch (7)

  4. Bake the casserole:

    Butter a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Pour the mixture into the casserole dish. (At this point, you can bake right away or transfer the casserole to the fridge and bake it the next day.)

    Bake in a 350°F oven for 50 minutes to an hour, until the top is browned and the center springs back when touched.

    Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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    Make This Easy Breakfast Casserole the Night Before for a No-Stress Brunch (9)

  • Brunch
  • Breakfast Casseroles
  • Egg Casseroles
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
375Calories
24g Fat
17g Carbs
23g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories375
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 24g30%
Saturated Fat 11g57%
Cholesterol 284mg95%
Sodium 650mg28%
Total Carbohydrate 17g6%
Dietary Fiber 1g3%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 23g
Vitamin C 1mg6%
Calcium 446mg34%
Iron 2mg13%
Potassium 299mg6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Make This Easy Breakfast Casserole the Night Before for a No-Stress Brunch (2024)

FAQs

How long can you refrigerate a breakfast casserole before baking? ›

You can assemble the entire dish and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I bake an egg casserole and reheat it? ›

Bake the casserole for only 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Wrap tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, then reheat in a 375 F oven for 30 minutes the next morning until the casserole is browned and heated through.

Can egg bake sit out overnight? ›

Never leave cooked eggs or egg dishes out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours or for more than 1 hour when temperatures are above 90° F. Bacteria that can cause illness grow quickly at warm temperatures (between 40° F and 140° F).

Why is my breakfast casserole dry? ›

Probably 2 things: you're not using enough sauce, and you're baking it uncovered. Possibly the sauce you're using is too dry as well.

Can you make a casserole with raw egg and leave it uncooked overnight in fridge? ›

An egg strata traditionally consists of layered bread, cheese, and other foods (such as cooked sausage, ham, bacon, shrimp, or vegetables) over which a mixture of raw beaten eggs and milk are poured. The casserole is covered and refrigerated overnight to allow the liquid ingredients to be absorbed into the bread.

Can you make a casserole with raw eggs ahead of time? ›

Can You Make Egg Casserole Ahead of Time? This easy egg casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast. Simply combine the ingredients the night before and place the mixture in a prepared baking dish, then cover it tightly with storage wrap or foil. In the morning, bake the casserole according to the recipe.

Can you cook eggs night before and reheat? ›

If you've ever wondered, yes, you can. You can prepare a variety of nourishing and wholesome egg dishes and simply reheat them for breakfast.

Can you make egg casserole 2 days ahead without? ›

Cover the casserole and store it (unbaked) in the refrigerator overnight or up to one day. Bake in the morning, according to recipe instructions. To freeze breakfast casserole prepare the recipe and add to your pan. Cover well with plastic wrap and then tinfoil and freeze for 2-3 months.

Is it better to freeze a breakfast casserole cooked or uncooked? ›

The answer depends on what's in it. Casseroles with raw protein (meat, poultry, seafood) should be completely cooked before freezing. However dishes with pre-cooked meats or no meat are fine to go in the freezer uncooked.

Can you eat 2 week old hard-boiled eggs? ›

Can you eat 2 week old hard-boiled eggs? The FDA recommends consuming hard-boiled eggs within a week, and two weeks is well past that deadline. Since spoiled hard-boiled eggs can make you sick, it's best to be safe and toss out any leftover hard-boiled eggs that have been in the fridge for more than one week.

Can I leave cream cheese out overnight? ›

Cream cheese should not be left out longer than two hours at room temp (or higher than 40 degrees F) because it then becomes a playground for nasty bacteria like salmonella. No one wants a trip to the emergency room over the carrot cake. If it's been out for longer than two hours, toss it—better safe than sorry.

How do you reheat egg casserole without overcooking? ›

Reheat a casserole in the microwave for best results
  1. Be sure to use a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Reheat a single portion at a time. ...
  3. Loosely cover the casserole. ...
  4. Microwave at 30-second intervals stirring in between each time. ...
  5. To help keep/add moisture in your reheated casserole add a small bowl of water alongside your plate.
Sep 7, 2022

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

Make-ahead meals (especially baked casseroles) are terrific because you can completely assemble them in advance and bake them just before serving. They're the ultimate comfort food as they come bubbling hot and delicious straight from the oven to the table to the delight of family and friends.

How do you keep egg casserole from getting rubbery? ›

Always Drain Your Meat To Avoid Rubbery Eggs

But no worries, this doesn't mean you have to forgo meat in your egg casserole altogether. The fix is simple and doesn't require much extra effort. The hack that can help preserve the texture of your eggs is to always drain meat before adding it to a casserole.

How do you keep breakfast casserole from getting watery? ›

The ideal slurry ratio is one tablespoon of cornstarch to every two tablespoons of water. Make as much as you need, but try to keep the ratio constant. Once it's ready, stir the slurry into your casserole base before baking.

How long can a casserole stay in the fridge before cooking? ›

8. Make it now, but bake it later. Most casseroles can be made ahead and refrigerated for a day or two or frozen up to three months.

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.

How long can egg casserole stay in the fridge? ›

How long can you keep the baked egg casserole in the fridge? Egg bake casserole is typically safe to eat for up to 5 days, though the texture is best if eaten within a day or two. To keep it fresh, store it well-covered or in an airtight container.

How long does it take a refrigerated casserole to come to room temp? ›

How long does it take a refrigerated casserole to come to room temp? Depending on the size of the dish and the density of its contents, it takes about an hour for to come up to room temperature. Add more time for a larger pan or one with dense contents.

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