Easy Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole: Your Ultimate Make-Ahead Recipe
Imagine waking up to the comforting aroma of a savory breakfast baking, without the rush of cooking everything from scratch. This easy breakfast casserole with ham and cheese delivers just that! It’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it a perfect candidate for busy weekday mornings or relaxed weekend brunches. Once you slice into its rich, golden layers, revealing fluffy eggs, tender hash browns, savory ham, and perfectly melted cheese, you’ll understand why this dish is destined to become a beloved staple in your kitchen. It’s a truly satisfying and fuss-free meal that promises a delicious start to any day, whether feeding a family or enjoying a quiet breakfast.
Why This Ham and Cheese Casserole Recipe Works So Well
This ham and cheese breakfast casserole is a true winner for several reasons. Its genius lies in its simplicity and the intelligent use of readily available ingredients. By incorporating diced ham and store-bought hash browns, we significantly cut down on prep time. Instead of laboriously chopping and sautéing, you can assemble the bulk of this dish with minimal effort. You’ll only need a single bowl to whisk the eggs, and then everything else comes together in simple layers within a baking dish.
The entire preparation process for the casserole ingredients takes a mere ten minutes. While it does require 30-40 minutes in the oven to bake to golden perfection, this hands-off cooking time is invaluable. It allows you and your family to get ready for the day, enjoy a cup of coffee, or tackle other morning tasks while the oven does all the hard work. This strategic timing transforms what could be a hectic morning into a relaxed and organized one, ensuring a hot, homemade breakfast is ready when you are.
Beyond its convenience, this casserole is a fantastic solution for utilizing leftover ham, especially after holiday feasts like Christmas or Easter. Just as we enjoy a turkey hashbrown casserole the morning after Thanksgiving, this ham and cheese version is perfect for post-holiday indulgence. Its adaptability means you can easily swap in other meats or add extra vegetables, making it a versatile base for countless variations. It’s also an excellent option for meal prepping, as it can be made ahead of time and reheated, providing delicious servings throughout a busy work week.
Key Ingredients You Will Need for This Recipe
To ensure you have everything on hand for this delightful breakfast casserole, refer to the detailed list of measurements, ingredients, and comprehensive instructions in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post. Here’s a quick overview of the main components:
Ingredient Information and Smart Substitution Suggestions
Let’s dive deeper into the ingredients and how you can customize this casserole to your taste and pantry:
HASH BROWNS – For ultimate convenience and speed, look for bags of refrigerated shredded hash browns in the dairy or breakfast section of your grocery store. These are typically par-cooked and ready to use, saving you a significant amount of prep time. If you can find pre-seasoned varieties, that’s an extra bonus as it further reduces your work. However, if only plain refrigerated or frozen hash browns are available, don’t worry! Simply thaw frozen hash browns thoroughly before using them to prevent a watery casserole. For plain varieties, you can easily customize the flavors by adding a dash of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, or a pinch of dried thyme to your spice cabinet. If you’re feeling ambitious and prefer to use fresh potatoes, you can shred them yourself; just be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible to ensure a crispy texture.
CHEESE – While any cheese will technically melt, the quality of your cheese significantly impacts the final result. I highly recommend buying blocks of sharp cheddar cheese and shredding them yourself, either by hand or with a food processor. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and evenly, creating a richer, creamier texture in the casserole because it lacks the anti-caking agents found in pre-shredded varieties. If you shred it the same day you buy it, store it in a zipper bag in the refrigerator until ready to use. That said, if time is of the essence, pre-shredded cheddar works perfectly fine and makes the assembly even quicker. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, Swiss, or a Mexican blend for different flavor profiles.
HAM AND ADDITIONS – Diced ham is incredibly convenient. You can find pre-diced ham in the deli section of most supermarkets. This recipe is also brilliant for using up leftover ham from holiday meals – simply dice it into small, even pieces. The egg mixture itself is kept simple but flavorful, combining large eggs with a little milk (2% works well, but whole milk will yield a richer casserole), kosher salt, ground black pepper, and some fresh chopped parsley for a touch of brightness and herbaceousness. While not included in the base recipe, consider adding finely diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), sautéed onions, or even some spinach for added color, flavor, and nutrients. These additions can be layered with the ham and cheese before pouring the egg mixture over everything. You could also swap ham for cooked, crumbled breakfast sausage or crispy bacon bits for a different meaty flavor.
How to Make This Delicious Breakfast Casserole
These step-by-step photos and instructions are designed to help you visualize exactly how to make this incredibly easy recipe. For a convenient printable version, complete with precise measurements and full instructions, you can jump directly to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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Prepare the Baking Dish and Layer the Base: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when you place the casserole inside for even cooking. Next, lightly spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. This crucial step prevents the casserole from sticking, making serving and cleanup much easier. Once the dish is prepped, spread the hash browns evenly across the bottom of the baking dish, forming a solid base. Gently press them down slightly to create a compact layer. Over this layer, evenly distribute the shredded cheese, ensuring it covers the hash browns generously. Finally, scatter the diced ham over the cheese. These layers create a fantastic texture and flavor combination.
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Whisk the Egg Mixture: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, crack the large eggs. Add the milk, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and the fresh chopped parsley. Using a whisk or a fork, beat the mixture vigorously until the eggs are well combined and slightly frothy. This ensures a light and airy texture in your finished casserole and distributes the seasonings evenly throughout. Make sure no streaks of egg white remain.
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Combine and Bake: Carefully pour the whisked egg mixture over the layered hash browns, cheese, and ham in the baking dish. Tilt the dish gently to ensure the egg mixture spreads evenly and covers all the ingredients. You want the eggs to seep into every nook and cranny, binding everything together. Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for approximately 45 minutes, or until the eggs are completely set and the top is lightly golden brown. To check for doneness, insert a knife or a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the casserole is ready. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the casserole to firm up, making it easier to cut into neat portions without crumbling.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
Absolutely! This ham and cheese breakfast casserole is an ideal make-ahead meal, perfect for simplifying your mornings. You have two main options:
1. Bake and Refrigerate: You can bake the casserole the night before, allow it to cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, you can quickly warm up individual slices in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. It will still taste wonderfully delicious!
2. Assemble and Refrigerate: Alternatively, you can assemble the entire casserole (layering hash browns, cheese, ham, and pouring the egg mixture) but do not bake it. Cover the unbaked casserole tightly and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, simply pop it into the preheated oven and bake as directed. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it’s going into the oven cold.
Once baked and cooled, properly stored, this breakfast casserole is excellent for meal prep.
In the refrigerator: Seal the casserole with an air-tight lid or tightly cover it with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
In the freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the baked casserole. Wrap individual slices or the entire cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Absolutely! This casserole is incredibly versatile. Finely diced bell peppers (any color), chopped onions, mushrooms, or even spinach are excellent additions. If adding vegetables with high water content like mushrooms or spinach, it’s best to sauté them briefly beforehand to remove excess moisture. This prevents the casserole from becoming watery or soggy. For bell peppers and onions, you can add them raw along with the ham layer.
To ensure your casserole isn’t soggy, especially with hash browns:
1. Thaw Frozen Hash Browns: If using frozen hash browns, make sure they are fully thawed and squeeze out any excess water using a clean kitchen towel.
2. Pre-cook Wet Veggies: As mentioned, pre-sautéing vegetables like mushrooms or spinach helps remove their moisture.
3. Don’t Overfill: Stick to the recommended ingredient quantities to ensure the egg mixture can properly set and bind everything together without becoming too dense.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This easy breakfast casserole with ham, cheese, and potatoes is a fulfilling and hearty way to kickstart your day. Designed to serve four generously, it’s perfectly portioned for a family breakfast or a cozy weekend morning. While it’s substantial enough to be a standalone meal, you can elevate the breakfast experience with a few thoughtful additions. Casseroles are truly perfect for weekend mornings, leisurely holiday brunches, or even a comforting dinner – you simply can’t go wrong!
To complement its rich flavors, consider serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad for a light and vibrant contrast. Warm, flaky biscuits or toast with butter and jam also make excellent companions, soaking up any savory goodness. And, of course, a hot cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of orange juice completes the classic breakfast ensemble. Feel free to experiment with what you like – a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick, a dollop of sour cream, or a sprinkle of fresh chives on top can take this casserole to new heights!
More Irresistible Breakfast Recipes to Try
If you loved this ham and cheese breakfast casserole, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic breakfast options:
- Sheet Pan Breakfast Pizza
- Blueberry Breakfast Cake
- Ham and Broccoli Strata
- Tex-Mex Breakfast Bake
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Corned Beef Hash
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Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Cheese
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 10 oz seasoned hash browns see note
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 8 oz ham diced
- 6 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk 2%
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
Things You’ll Need
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8×8 baking dish
Before You Begin
- Look for refrigerated shredded hash browns at the grocery store for the easiest preparation. If you can’t find them, you can use frozen, but make sure to thaw them completely in the bag and squeeze out any excess moisture before using to prevent a watery casserole.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place the hash browns in an even layer in the baking dish. Top this layer evenly with the shredded cheese and then the diced ham.
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In a medium bowl, beat the eggs together with the milk, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and fresh chopped parsley until well combined. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the ham, cheese, and potatoes in the baking dish. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the eggs are completely set and the top is golden. Let stand for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared on this blog on August 25, 2017, and has since been extensively updated with new photos, expanded content, and enhanced tips to provide you with the best possible cooking experience.