Surprise Your Brunch Guests with Mushroom Cheddar Baked Eggs

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Indulge in the ultimate comfort breakfast with our Mushroom Cheddar Baked Eggs. With creamy mushrooms and gooey cheddar cheese, it’s the perfect start to any day.

 

I don’t think there’s a country in this world that does not eat eggs. Honestly, it would have to be a totally vegan country, and I just don’t think that exists. There are countries with large populations of vegans due to religious and other cultural reasons, but none that are totally vegan.

 

A long time ago I started on the path of trying to make an egg recipe from every country. Yes, it’s a massive mission to attempt. There’s 195 countries in the world. To find a unique egg recipe from each of them is a pretty daunting and ambitious task to say the least. But I am dedicated to trying to celebrate this simple ingredient we all share in cooking.

 

 

What are baked eggs?

 

Shirred eggs, or baked eggs, originated in France and are name for the dish they’re cooked in. It’s a flat-bottomed dish like a small casserole or gratin dish. They gained popularity in Victorian times but slowly died off. That was until Julia Child re-introduced them to the world stating that “An egg is your best friend” which is so true.

 

They’re different than eggs baked in a cocotte which are baked in a water bath similar to a custard. The eggs bake until the whites are set, and the yolks are either runny or custard-like in consistency. They’re simply baked in butter or with a little cream and cheese. As opposed to coddled eggs which are cooked no the stove and can include meats, veggies, and cheese.

 

 

How do you bake eggs?

 

Baking eggs is a simple yet delicious cooking method that brings out the natural flavors of the eggs. They create a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with ingredients like mushrooms and cheddar. To bake eggs, you can crack them into individual ramekins or a shallow baking dish.

 

In this recipe, I crack the eggs over the mushrooms and cheese, but you could flip the recipe and top the eggs with the veggies and cheese. Season the eggs with salt, pepper, and other spices like a little paprika or a pinch of cayenne, and then pop them into the oven to bake. How long depends on how you want the yolks. For me, I like them jammy so I cook mine longer than the hubs who likes his a little more runny.

 

 

What mushrooms and cheese can you use in this recipe?

 

For this mushroom cheddar baked eggs recipe, you have a variety of mushrooms to choose from to add a depth of flavor and earthy richness. Some great options include cremini mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, portobello mushrooms. You could even use wild mushrooms like chanterelles or morels. There’s a slew of mushrooms at my international grocery like the king trumpet or the lion’s mane. Each type of mushroom will bring a unique taste and texture to the dish, so feel free to mix and match your favorite varieties for a delicious twist on this classic breakfast dish.

 

For cheese variations you can use a strong cheese or a mild cheese depending on your mushrooms. Experimenting with different types of cheese can change the flavor of this dish greatly. Try a Gruyere or Swiss for a delicious tang to go with the mushrooms. I like a good extra sharp cheddar which I used in this recipe. There’s pungent cheeses like Parmesan and Asiago that would pair well with portobello or porcini mushrooms. Pair a queso fresco with a matsutake, which is found in Mexico even though it’s a Japanese name. They also have a wild morel that looks amazing.

 

 

Ingredients for this recipe

 

There are simple ingredients in this recipe. I didn’t want to make it too difficult to make because brunch needs to be able simple yet elevated recipes that are easy to make. And just ask easy to scale up or down and make ahead!

 

There are:
Eggs – extra large eggs
Veggies – Shallots, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, garlic
Dairy – cheese, butter
Seasonings – thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper
Bread to serve with the eggs

 

 

Instructions to make Mushroom Cheddar Baked Eggs

 

Preheat your oven to 350 F and then start sautéing the veggies. Sauté the shallots until they’re tender then add in the mushrooms. Cook those until they release their juices and begin to brown. Preheat your ramekin or casserole dish by dotting them with some butter and putting them in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes.

 

Spoon the vegetable mixture into each of your dishes evenly. Top with the diced tomatoes and the cheddar cheese. Use a spoon to make wells into the veggies for the eggs and then carefully crack the eggs into a custard cup and then pour into the well. Put the casserole dishes back into the oven and bake for 15 to 25 minutes based on your yolk preference.

 

 

Toast the bread while the eggs are baking. Gently rub the toasted bread with the clove of garlic cut in half to give it a bruschetta quality and add some garlic flavor. Remove the eggs from the oven when the yolk is cooked to your liking and cool slightly before serving with the bread.

 

Tips for perfectly baked eggs

 

To achieve perfectly baked eggs for your Mushroom Cheddar Baked Eggs dish, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. Make sure to use fresh eggs because they have firmer whites which makes them less likely to spread out in the baking dish. Make sure your cheese and veggies are fresh. And freshly shred your cheese. The pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking additives that can alter the results.

 

 

Keep an eye on your eggs. I would start checking them around 7 minutes if you want them to be runnier and around 10 if you want them jammier. Give the pan a shake and see how they wiggle. Remember about carry over cooking time, though. So take them out before you think they’re done. They will continue to cook until you bust into the yolks with the delicious bread.

 

I like my eggs jammy so I cooked mine longer than my husband’s eggs. For timing, I put mine into the oven before I put his in so they were cooked at the same time. That’s one reason why this recipe is great for brunch! You can have the veggies and ramekins ready to go and people can cook them to their liking. You can have an array of veggies, cheese, and toppings and let your guests make their own.

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