Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake Recipe
This Ham & Cheese Breakfast Bake is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a weekend brunch or holiday breakfast. It features a savory custard made with eggs, milk, and Dijon mustard, layered with cubed French bread, chopped ham, and shredded white cheddar, then baked until golden and cooked through. Garnished with fresh thyme, this casserole is easy to prepare ahead and ideal for serving a crowd.
CourseBreakfast
CuisineAmerican
KeywordHam and Cheese Breakfast Bake, breakfast casserole, baked eggs, brunch recipe, easy breakfast bake, savory breakfast, French bread casserole, make-ahead breakfast, cheesy breakfast bake, Baking
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Additional Time15 minutes
Total Time75 minutes
Servings8 servings
Ingredients
Casserole Mixture
- 10 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Other Ingredients
- Unsalted butter, for greasing the dish
- 4 cups cubed French bread or baguette
- 1/2 pound ham, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Arrange a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 350°. This ensures even baking and a perfect custard set.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, Dijon mustard, fresh thyme leaves, and garlic powder. Season the mixture with kosher salt and several grinds of freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Grease a 13” x 9” baking dish thoroughly with unsalted butter to prevent sticking and add richness.
- Spread the cubed French bread evenly in the bottom of the prepared dish. Layer the chopped ham and then sprinkle the shredded white cheddar on top. Pour the egg mixture evenly over all the layers to soak through the bread.
- Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 45 minutes until the eggs are cooked through, the custard is set, and the ham is golden and heated.
- You can cover the assembled dish with foil and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight before baking. When ready, bake uncovered as directed.
- Remove from oven and garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves. Serve warm and enjoy this satisfying breakfast casserole.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale French bread for best soaking and texture.
- Feel free to substitute ham with cooked bacon or sausage for variation.
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk or even half-and-half.
- You can add vegetables like sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to increase the nutritional value.
- Make ahead by assembling the night before and refrigerating to save time on busy mornings.
- Fresh thyme adds a lovely herbal note, but dried thyme can be used if fresh is unavailable—use about 1 teaspoon dried.