How to Make a Breakfast Casserole: Easy Recipe + Guide

Mornings are often hectic, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip breakfast or settle for starting your day with a sugar-filled treat. Breakfast casseroles are delicious, super easy to make, and can be packed with healthy ingredients. Best of all, you can make one on Sunday and enjoy starting off your week with tasty leftovers. 

Once you learn the basics of how to make a breakfast casserole, you’ll have a ton of fun experimenting with different variations. The following guide will tell you everything you need to know and give you a few ideas to help you get started. 

What is a breakfast casserole?

A casserole is a one-dish meal that is slowly cooked in the oven. It’s typically made in a large, deep glass or Pyrex pan – also known as a casserole dish. The beauty of a casserole is that it turns the combination of simple ingredients into something truly delicious. 

A breakfast casserole is simply a casserole that’s made with foods commonly eaten at breakfast time. They’re often served for breakfast or brunch, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with eating them at any time of the day! 

How to make a breakfast casserole

Learning how to make a breakfast casserole is super easy! Most use eggs as a base, along with some type of meat (typically ham, sausage, or bacon), and bread or potatoes. Then, you’ll want to add in other ingredients for extra flavor – like cheese, bell peppers, green onions, and a variety of spices. 

Most breakfast casserole recipes call for adding all of your ingredients into the dish, then pouring an egg mixture on top before baking it in the oven.

How to prepare to make a perfectly baked casserole

Before baking your breakfast casserole, you’ll want to make sure the oven is preheated to the recommended temperature (usually around 350 degrees Fahrenheit).  Cover your casserole dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from burning while the rest of the dish cooks. Then, uncover it for the last few minutes of your baking time so the top turns a nice golden brown and the cheese bubbles. 

Most casseroles bake for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. If you’re following a recipe, stick to the baking time provided. Otherwise, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your casserole. It’s done when you can stick a butter knife into the center and it comes out clean. 

Make-ahead tips

One of the best things about learning how to make breakfast casserole is that you can prepare it at night and just pop it in the oven when you get up in the morning. This is great for the holidays, when you need to serve a group of guests, or any time you want to enjoy a hearty and satisfying breakfast. 

Just assemble your casserole according to the directions, then cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Even if you don’t want to assemble the whole thing ahead the day before, it’s a great idea to cook your meat ahead of time. This will make your morning so much easier! 

Casserole ingredients list

Breakfast casseroles are great because they’re so incredibly versatile. You’re free to mix and match your ingredients to create new flavor profiles or take advantage of whatever you happen to have in your refrigerator. To make savory breakfast casseroles, try choosing at least one or two items from each of the following categories.

Dairy

• Eggs
• Egg substitute
• Milk (or non-dairy milk)
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, swiss, goat cheese)

Starch

• Diced potatoes
• Frozen hash browns
• Cubed bread (day-old is best)

Meat

• Bacon
• Ham
• Canadian bacon
• Sausage

Add-Ins

• Green onions
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Chopped spinach
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Roasted asparagus
• Roasted red peppers
• Artichoke hearts

You can also make sweet breakfast casseroles by combining eggs, milk, bread, and ingredients such as:

• Fruit
• Nuts
• Brown sugar

Top it with a drizzle of maple syrup, frosting, or a dollop of whipped cream. 

How to reheat a breakfast casserole

Even if you’re feeding a crowd, you’ll almost always have some leftover breakfast casserole. If you do, simply cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to reheat it, you can put it back in the oven, heat it on the stovetop, or put it in the microwave.

Reheating in the oven

To reheat your breakfast casserole in the oven, start by taking it out of the refrigerator and letting it come up to room temperature. Then, place the dish in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 

While you’re baking it, keep it covered with aluminum foil to hold the moisture in. If you want to crisp the top back up, uncover the dish and place it under the broiler for the last couple of minutes. 

Reheating on the stovetop

If you’re going to reheat your casserole on the stovetop, you’ll want to start by heating a nonstick skillet to medium-high with a bit of olive oil or butter. Add the slices of casserole to the pan and cover it while you wait for the food to heat through. If you don’t have a lid for your skillet, you can also carefully cover it with foil. 

Reheating in the microwave 

Of course, you can always reheat your casserole in the microwave. Start by putting it on a microwave-safe plate and covering it with plastic wrap – leaving one end open so steam can escape. Cook it on high for a few minutes, then let it rest for a moment. Continue heating in “bursts” until it’s heated through. 

Add a breakfast casserole to your next meal plan

Now that you know how to make a breakfast casserole, you can start adding them to your weekly meal plan. With Instacart Express, it’s easy to have all the ingredients you need delivered right to your door. Try it out today!

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