Savory Monte Cristo Breakfast Bake
Elevate your brunch experience with this Savory Monte Cristo Breakfast Bake, a delightful twist on the classic sandwich. Perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a relaxed morning with family, this dish combines layers of fluffy bread, tender turkey, savory ham, and rich Swiss cheese, all soaked in a flavorful custard. Prepared the night before, this strata is effortlessly popped in the oven the next day, filling your kitchen with the delicious aroma of brunch while you spend time with your guests. Serve with a side of fresh fruit or a light salad for a complete meal.
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
as needed (for greasing the baking pan)
Large eggs
8 (whisked)
Whole milk
2 cups (or 2% milk)
Hot pepper sauce
5-6 dashes (to taste)
Dry mustard
1 teaspoon (preferably 'Colman's Original English Mustard')
Sliced white bread
1 loaf (about 1 pound) (torn into 1/2-inch pieces)
Deli-style sliced turkey breast
8 ounces (cut into matchstick-sized pieces)
Deli-style sliced ham
8 ounces (cut into matchsticks)
Shredded Swiss cheese
3 cups (about 12 ounces) (divided)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and spray a 9x13x2-inch baking pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray.
2
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, hot pepper sauce, and dry mustard until fully combined and smooth.
3
Arrange half of the torn bread pieces in a single layer at the bottom of the greased baking pan.
4
Layer on half of the turkey, followed by half of the ham, and sprinkle with half of the shredded Swiss cheese.
5
Add the remaining bread pieces on top, followed by the rest of the turkey and ham, and top it off with the rest of the Swiss cheese.
6
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the entire layer, ensuring every piece of bread is saturated. Gently press down to help the bread absorb the mixture.
7
Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors meld and the bread soak up the custard.
8
On baking day, remove the strata from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking, allowing it to reach room temperature.
9
Once the oven is ready, remove the plastic wrap and bake the strata for 45 minutes or until it is puffed and golden brown on top.
10
Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Savory Monte Cristo Breakfast Bake?
It is a delightful brunch twist on the classic Monte Cristo sandwich, featuring layers of bread, turkey, ham, and Swiss cheese soaked in a savory custard.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe provides approximately 10 servings.
What size baking pan is required?
You should use a 9x13x2-inch baking pan.
How long does the bake need to stay in the oven?
It should be baked for 45 minutes or until it is puffed and golden brown on top.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, it is designed to be prepared the night before and refrigerated overnight.
What type of bread should I use?
The recipe calls for one loaf (about 1 pound) of sliced white bread torn into 1/2-inch pieces.
How many eggs are needed for the custard?
You will need 8 large whisked eggs.
What kind of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 3 cups (about 12 ounces) of shredded Swiss cheese.
What meats are included in the Monte Cristo Breakfast Bake?
The bake includes 8 ounces of deli-style sliced turkey breast and 8 ounces of deli-style sliced ham.
Can I use 2% milk instead of whole milk?
Yes, you can use either 2 cups of whole milk or 2% milk.
How should I prepare the turkey and ham?
The turkey should be cut into matchstick-sized pieces, and the ham should also be cut into matchsticks.
What spices are added to the egg mixture?
The egg mixture includes 1 teaspoon of dry mustard and 5-6 dashes of hot pepper sauce.
Which brand of dry mustard is suggested?
Colman's Original English Mustard is the preferred choice for this recipe.
Do I need to grease the baking pan?
Yes, spray the pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray.
How do I assemble the layers?
Layer half the bread, then half the turkey, ham, and cheese; repeat the layers one more time.
Should I press down on the bread after pouring the eggs?
Yes, gently press down to help the bread absorb the egg mixture thoroughly.
How long should the dish sit out before baking?
On baking day, remove the strata from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before putting it in the oven.
How long should the bake rest after cooking?
Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into squares.
What are some suggested side dishes?
Serve with a side of fresh fruit or a light salad for a complete meal.
Is this recipe suitable for entertaining?
Absolutely, it is perfect for entertaining guests since it is prepared in advance.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized as a Savory Pie.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
Tags include monte cristo, breakfast bake, strata, brunch recipe, and savory pie.
Is this considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as a comfort food egg dish.
How much hot pepper sauce should I use?
Use 5-6 dashes, or adjust to your personal taste.
What is the texture of the finished bake?
The finished bake is puffed, golden brown, and has a rich, custard-soaked texture.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
While Swiss cheese is traditional for a Monte Cristo, you can experiment with other meltable cheeses if preferred.
Do I need to cover the pan while it's in the fridge?
Yes, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap before refrigerating overnight.
Can I use more meat if I want?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces each of turkey and ham, but you can adjust slightly to your preference.
How should I slice the bake?
After resting, slice the bake into even squares for serving.