Go Back
Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole with layers of ham, cheese, and egg

Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole

Transform the classic Monte Cristo sandwich into a hearty breakfast casserole with fluffy eggs, stale French bread, ham, and Swiss cheese, baked to perfection.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingrédients
  

Casserole Base

  • 4 large eggs
  • 360 ml fat-free half & half Can be substituted with almond or oat milk for dairy-free.
  • 7.5 ml Dijon mustard
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper

Main Ingredients

  • 180 g stale French bread, cubed Stale bread is important for texture.
  • 255 g ham, diced Can be replaced with cooked turkey or roasted vegetables.
  • 180 g Swiss cheese, shredded Can be substituted with cheddar or mozzarella.

Preparation

  • as needed Non-stick cooking spray For greasing the baking dish.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
  • Cube the stale French bread and set aside to dry out slightly.

Mixing Ingredients

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, fat-free half & half, Dijon mustard, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
  • Add the cubed stale French bread to the egg mixture and stir to ensure all pieces are coated. Allow the mixture to soak for about 10 minutes.
  • Fold in the diced ham and shredded Swiss cheese.

Baking

  • Lightly coat a 20x20 cm or 23x23 cm baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Serving

  • Remove from the oven and let it cool for several minutes before slicing into squares.
  • Serve warm with raspberry preserves on the side for a sweet contrast.

Notes

This casserole can be assembled the night before and stored in the refrigerator. It can be easily customized with different ingredients based on dietary restrictions.
Keyword Breakfast Casserole, Brunch Recipe, Easy Breakfast, Monte Cristo, Savory Dish