Description
Whip up this Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole for a morning meal that brings French-inspired sandwich magic right to your breakfast table. Layers of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese nestled between bread make your weekend brunch dreams come true.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 cup cooked ham, diced
- 1 cup cooked turkey, diced
- 6 large eggs
Base Ingredients:
- 8 slices brioche bread
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Butter
Instructions
- Grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and coat every corner with 2 tablespoons softened butter, ensuring complete coverage for easy release.
- Slice 8 brioche bread slices into 1-inch cubes, distributing them evenly across the buttered dish to create a uniform base.
- Crack 6 large eggs into a mixing bowl, then pour in 2 cups whole milk, adding 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Whisk thoroughly until ingredients blend smoothly.
- Gently drench bread cubes with the egg mixture, making sure each piece absorbs the liquid completely. Spread 1 cup diced ham and 1 cup diced turkey across the surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese over the meat layer, creating an even blanket of dairy goodness.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and slide into a preheated 350°F oven. Bake for 30 minutes, maintaining consistent temperature.
- Remove foil after initial baking and return to oven for 15 additional minutes until the top turns golden and slightly crispy.
- Allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes after removing from oven. Dust with ½ cup powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for elegant presentation.
- Cut into square portions and serve while warm, enjoying the delightful layers of flavor and texture.
Notes
- Let bread cubes sit in the egg mixture for 10-15 minutes before baking to ensure deep, rich flavor absorption.
- Select a high-quality brioche for maximum richness and soft texture in your casserole.
- Swap out meats for vegetarian alternatives like plant-based ham or extra cheese to accommodate different dietary needs.
- For extra crispness on top, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg