The classic Monte Cristo sandwich, with its delightful blend of sweet and savory, is a true brunch icon. Imagine those beloved flavors transformed into an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing casserole! This Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole takes all the best elements – golden bread, savory ham and turkey, melty Swiss cheese, and a hint of sweetness – and bakes them into one irresistible dish. It’s perfect for special brunches, holiday gatherings, or simply a weekend treat.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole
This Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole brings joy to any table with its fantastic features:
- Effortless Preparation: Enjoy minimal hands-on time thanks to its simple layering and overnight chilling.
- Irresistible Flavors: Experience the perfect balance of savory meats and cheeses with a delightful sweet finish from the preserves and powdered sugar.
- Ideal for Make-Ahead: Prepare it the night before and simply bake in the morning, freeing up your valuable time.
- Feeds a Crowd: This substantial casserole easily serves a large family or guests without extra fuss.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: It’s equally suited for a cozy family breakfast or an elegant holiday brunch spread.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients for your delicious Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole:
- French bread: 1 loaf (16 ounces), cut into ¼-inch cubes, divided
- Cooked turkey: ½ pound, cut into ¼-inch cubes, divided (approximately 1½ cups)
- Cooked ham: ½ pound, cut into ¼-inch cubes, divided (approximately 1½ cups)
- Swiss cheese: 1 cup, shredded, divided
- Mild cheddar cheese: 1 cup, shredded, divided
- Large eggs: 12
- Whole milk: 2 cups
- Confectioners’ sugar: for dusting
- Raspberry preserves: for serving
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. For the bread, brioche, challah, or any day-old bread works beautifully to soak up the egg mixture. If you do not have deli turkey and ham, use leftover holiday roasts for an even richer flavor. Feel free to swap the cheeses for provolone, Gruyère, or Muenster to change the profile. For an extra rich custard, use half-and-half in place of whole milk. Instead of raspberry preserves, try strawberry or apricot jam, or simply serve with a drizzle of maple syrup.
Equipment
You won’t need many specialized tools to create this fantastic Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole. Here’s what you’ll need:
How To Make Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole
Follow these simple steps to prepare your amazing Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole:
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
- Layer First Bread: Evenly spread about half of your cubed French bread onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add Meats and Cheeses: Distribute half of the diced turkey (about ¾ cup), half of the ham (about ¾ cup), ½ cup of shredded Swiss cheese, and ½ cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese over the bread layer.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining bread cubes on top of the meat and cheese. Then, layer the remaining turkey, ham, and both kinds of cheese over the bread. These layers create a fantastic texture throughout the Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole.
- Whisk Egg Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 12 large eggs and 2 cups of whole milk. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined.
- Pour Mixture: Carefully pour the egg and milk mixture over the layered bread, meat, and cheese in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread cubes to ensure they are fully saturated and soaking up the liquid.
- Chill Casserole: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, or ideally, overnight. This chilling time allows the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture, creating a tender, flavorful casserole.
- Preheat Oven: When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake Casserole: Remove the plastic wrap from the dish. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center does not jiggle when gently shaken. This indicates the eggs are fully set.
- Rest and Dust: Remove the Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes. This helps it set further. Dust generously with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
- Serve Warm: Cut into squares and serve warm with a side of raspberry preserves. Enjoy this delightful sweet and savory breakfast!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
For the best Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole experience, remember these tips:
- Using slightly dry or stale bread is recommended for French toast casseroles because it absorbs the egg mixture better, preventing a soggy dish.
- Don’t over-pack layers in your baking dish; allow some space for the egg mixture to seep through.
- Ensure bread is fully saturated by gently pressing it down after pouring the egg mixture.
- Chill overnight to allow flavors to meld and for the bread to properly soak, leading to a perfect texture.
- Bake until no jiggle in the center; this confirms the eggs are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Prevent soggy bottom crust by using stale bread and not overdoing the liquid.
Common Mistakes
- Not chilling long enough: Insufficient chilling can lead to a less flavorful and less cohesive casserole.
- Using fresh, soft bread: Fresh bread tends to become mushy rather than absorbing the custard well.
- Over-baking for rubbery eggs: Keep an eye on the cooking time to ensure the eggs stay tender and creamy, not tough.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serve your hot Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole with extra raspberry preserves on the side for an added burst of fruity sweetness.
- Refrigerate Leftovers: Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze Baked Casserole: For longer storage, freeze individual portions or the entire baked casserole in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat larger portions in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through.
Variations
- Savory Only: For a less sweet option, simply omit the confectioners’ sugar and raspberry preserves.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of dry mustard, paprika, or even a dash of nutmeg to the egg mixture for a richer flavor profile.
- Other Fruits: Experiment with different preserves like blueberry, apricot, or even apple butter for serving.
- Vegetarian: Transform this into a delicious vegetarian dish by replacing the ham and turkey with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers.
Nutrition
Understanding the nutritional content can help you manage your diet. Here’s a quick look at the Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 447 kcal |
Please note that this is an estimated per-serving calorie count. For an accurate calculation based on your specific ingredients, consider using a reliable online nutrition calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Chilling the Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole overnight is highly recommended for optimal flavor and texture.
Can I freeze this breakfast casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the baked casserole in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What kind of bread works best?
Day-old French bread, brioche, or challah are ideal as they absorb the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.
Can I make it savory?
Easily! Just skip the confectioners’ sugar dusting and the raspberry preserves for a savory version.
What if my casserole is too soggy?
This often happens from using fresh bread or not chilling long enough. Ensure your bread is slightly stale and allow adequate chilling time for absorption.
Final Thoughts
This Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole brings the beloved sweet and savory profile of a classic sandwich into an easy, family-friendly dish. Its make-ahead convenience makes it a perfect choice for busy mornings or special gatherings, allowing you to enjoy more time with loved ones. We encourage you to try this unique breakfast twist and bring a touch of elegance and flavor to your next brunch. Enjoy every delicious bite of this irresistible casserole!
Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prepare it.
- Add about half of the bread cubes to the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Top the bread with half the turkey, ham, ½ cup Swiss cheese, and ½ cup cheddar cheese, then repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until they are well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered bread, meat, and cheese.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and remove the plastic wrap from the casserole.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until the casserole edges are golden brown and it no longer jiggles in the center.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly, then dust the top generously with confectioners’ sugar.
- Serve the Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole warm, accompanied by raspberry preserves.
Notes
Hi there, I’m chef living in New York City. Every morning, I wake up to the sounds of my little one’s laughter and the comforting routine of preparing breakfast for my family my husband, our child, and my beloved mother, who’s become both my rock and my inspiration since my father passed away. As the only daughter left in our family, I feel a deep responsibility to carry on his memory whenever I step into the kitchen.
- Dominiquehttps://goldfoodie.com/author/empirecipegmail-com/
- Dominiquehttps://goldfoodie.com/author/empirecipegmail-com/
- Dominiquehttps://goldfoodie.com/author/empirecipegmail-com/
- Dominiquehttps://goldfoodie.com/author/empirecipegmail-com/
