Savory Easter Brunch Casserole
Celebrate Easter with this delightful Savory Easter Brunch Casserole, the perfect centerpiece for your holiday breakfast table. This hearty dish combines delicious cubed bread soaked in a rich, savory custard made with eggs and milk, infused with just the right kick from dry mustard and a hint of salt. Layered with gooey cheddar cheese, succulent diced ham (or savory sausage), and earthy mushrooms, each bite is a warm embrace of flavor. Ideal for preparing in advance, you can let it sit overnight, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Simply pop it in the oven the next day for a fragrant, appetizing start to your Easter celebrations. Serve it alongside fresh fruit or a light salad for a complete meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
bread
8 slices (cubed)
butter
1/2 cup (melted)
milk
2 cups (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon (none)
eggs
5 (beaten)
cheddar cheese
1/2 lb (grated)
ham or sausage
2 cups (diced, cooked)
mushrooms
4 ounces (sliced)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2
Grease a 9x13 inch glass baking pan to ensure the casserole doesn't stick.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread with the melted butter until the bread is evenly coated.
4
Mix in the grated cheddar cheese, diced ham or cooked sausage, and the chopped mushrooms until well combined.
5
Spread the bread mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
6
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs until they are light and airy. Gradually stir in the milk, salt, and dry mustard until everything is well blended.
7
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread mixture in the baking dish, ensuring all the bread is soaked.
8
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
9
The next day, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes while the oven finishes preheating.
10
Bake uncovered for 1 hour or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
11
Once baked, remove from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious Easter Brunch Casserole!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Easter Brunch Casserole?
It is a hearty, egg-based breakfast dish featuring cubed bread, cheddar cheese, ham or sausage, and mushrooms, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, this recipe is ideal for preparing in advance; you should assemble it and let it refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
What are the primary ingredients for this recipe?
The main ingredients include 8 slices of cubed bread, 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 cups of milk, 5 eggs, 1/2 lb of cheddar cheese, and 2 cups of diced ham or sausage.
How long should the casserole bake?
The casserole should be baked for 1 hour or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
What temperature should I set the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius).
Can I substitute the ham with another protein?
Yes, you can easily swap the diced ham for 2 cups of cooked, diced sausage.
Should I cover the casserole while baking?
No, the casserole should be baked uncovered to allow the top to become golden brown.
What size baking pan is required?
A 9x13 inch glass baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
How many eggs are used in the custard?
This recipe calls for 5 beaten eggs to create the savory custard base.
Do I need to grease the baking pan?
Yes, you should grease the pan to ensure the casserole does not stick to the glass.
How should the bread be prepared?
The 8 slices of bread should be cut into cubes and coated with melted butter.
What kind of cheese works best?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of grated cheddar cheese for a gooey and flavorful result.
Is there any seasoning in the custard?
Yes, the egg and milk mixture is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard.
How long should the casserole sit after baking?
Once removed from the oven, let the dish stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Can I use different vegetables instead of mushrooms?
While the recipe specifies 4 ounces of sliced mushrooms, you can experiment with other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.
What should I serve with this Easter Brunch Casserole?
It pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or a light side salad for a complete brunch meal.
Does the casserole need to come to room temperature before baking?
It is recommended to let the dish sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes after removing it from the refrigerator while the oven preheats.
How do I know if the bread is properly soaked?
When pouring the egg mixture, ensure it is spread evenly over all the bread cubes so they can absorb the liquid overnight.
Can I use a different type of milk?
Standard milk is recommended, but you can use whole milk or 2% depending on your preference for richness.
Is dry mustard necessary?
Dry mustard provides a subtle kick and depth of flavor to the savory custard, but it can be omitted if unavailable.
How much butter is used to coat the bread?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of melted butter to coat the 8 slices of cubed bread.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the ham or sausage and increase the mushrooms or add other vegetables to make it vegetarian.
Should the mushrooms be cooked before adding them?
The recipe calls for sliced mushrooms to be mixed directly into the bread mixture before refrigerating.
What type of bread is best for this casserole?
Standard sliced bread works well, but sturdier breads like sourdough or challah can also be used for a different texture.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, pre-shredded cheddar cheese is a convenient option for this recipe.
How many servings does this casserole provide?
A standard 9x13 inch casserole typically serves 8 to 12 people depending on portion sizes.
Can I add spices like black pepper?
Yes, feel free to add black pepper or other herbs like chives to the egg mixture for extra flavor.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish has a bread-pudding-like texture that is savory, moist, and topped with a slightly crisp golden crust.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers should be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze the baked casserole?
Yes, the baked casserole can be frozen, though the texture of the eggs may change slightly upon thawing and reheating.