Description
Let your mornings sparkle with this Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole that combines creamy eggs, flaky croissants, and savory ham into one delightful breakfast bake. Prepare it the night before, pop it in the oven, and savor a comforting breakfast that brings everyone to the table with minimal morning effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 large eggs
- 1.5 cups diced ham
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese
Produce and Vegetables:
- 0.5 cup sauteed mushrooms
- 0.5 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
- 6 large croissants, torn into chunks
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Rip 6 large croissants into rustic bite-sized chunks. Spread these pieces evenly across a thoroughly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Distribute 1 ½ cups diced ham uniformly over the croissant pieces. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar and ½ cup Swiss cheese across the surface.
- Toss in ½ cup sauteed mushrooms, ½ cup diced bell peppers, and 1 cup chopped baby spinach for added texture and nutrition.
- Crack 6 large eggs into a mixing bowl. Pour in 1 ½ cups whole milk and ½ cup heavy cream.
- Add ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard to the egg mixture. Whisk until completely smooth.
- Gently pour the egg custard over the croissant and cheese layers. Press down softly to ensure every croissant piece gets saturated.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours, preferably overnight.
- Remove casserole from refrigerator 10 minutes before baking. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Slide the uncovered casserole into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center sets firmly.
- After removing from oven, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve warm, optionally sprinkling red pepper flakes for a mild kick.
Notes
- Use day-old croissants for better texture and absorption of egg custard, which helps create a more cohesive casserole.
- Replace ham with cooked bacon, sausage, or keep it vegetarian by adding spinach and mushrooms for different flavor profiles.
- Ensure eggs are fully whisked and incorporated to prevent lumpy custard and create a smooth, creamy base.
- Allow casserole to rest after baking so it sets properly and cuts cleanly, making serving easier and preventing a runny texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 230 mg