Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Sharing is caring!

Leftover bread, turkey, cheese combined with eggs, cream and milk make a deliciously simple Overnight Breakfast Casserole.  It’s perfect to pop in the oven while you open presents.

 

Growing up, we didn’t eat a lot of breakfast casseroles. For us, breakfast was basically eggs with bacon, ham, or sausage, and probably toast or canned biscuits. A typical southern breakfast. Sometimes we made sausage gravy which was so good! It speaks to my soul to have sausage gravy on biscuits. 

Now, for Christmas we always had quiche. Dad made the classic quiche Lorraine, but sometimes he mixed it up. That’s the only casserole type dish I remember eating as a kid. But I feel like we could have totally benefitted from an breakfast casserole like this sausage, egg and biscuit breakfast casserole. Especially if we had family visiting. It would mean less time in the kitchen and more time to spend with our family and guests.

 

 

What ingredients are in overnight breakfast casserole?

 
The best part about these types of casseroles is you can make them with what you have on hand. And you can clean out the fridge and pantry of leftover ingredients. In this overnight casserole, I used some steak sandwich rolls that are past their prime. I had some leftover turkey and a bit of cheddar in the fridge. Of course, there’s eggs, cream, and milk in there. I added some color with pimentos, which are just diced roasted red peppers.

 

For the spices, I kept it pretty simple. I added some garlic salt, crushed rosemary, and sage. For me, I love poultry and sage together. Of course, there’s black pepper in there, too. Feel free to kick yours up with some cayenne or crushed red pepper. Maybe add in some thyme or celery seed. It’s your casserole so stir in what flavors work best for you.

 

 

How to keep breakfast casserole from getting soggy?

 

When it comes to keeping your breakfast casserole from getting soggy, there are a few tricks of the trade to consider. One method is to make sure your bread is fairly dried. You can toast the pieces in the oven or leave them out to air fry before adding in the wet ingredients. This helps create a barrier that prevents excess moisture from seeping into the casserole.

 

Another method is layering your ingredients. Add some bread, then turkey, cheese, and pimentos and repeat those layers. By strategically placing ingredients like vegetables or meats between layers of bread or other absorbent components, you can help reduce the risk of sogginess.

 

Finally, make sure the bread is completely submerged in the egg mixture before sticking in the fridge. That way the bread will soak up as much liquid as possible while it waits to be baked. This also helps your casserole from getting soggy.

 

 

How long can an overnight casserole stay in the fridge?

 

Before cooking, it’s good to know how far ahead you can make your casserole. This one has simple ingredients that won’t spoil quickly. This casserole can sit in the fridge for up to 48 hours before baking it. At the very least, it needs a good 8 to 12 hours for all the bread to soak up the custard (the egg, milk, and cream mixture).  If you’re planning a camping trip, try bringing this camping breakfast casserole with you.

 

Once it’s baked, your casserole can sit in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. If it lasts that long! Whatever doesn’t get eaten the day you make it turns into a perfect breakfast on the go! I always take the leftovers to work for breakfast. When you get up really early, have a quite a bit of morning tasks to complete before heading to the train station, it’s just easier to take breakfast to work. That way I can enjoy it instead of scarfing it down before leaving.

 

 

How do you know when breakfast casserole is done?

 

Some might try to check the casserole with a toothpick. This doesn’t usually work with this type of casserole. For me, I always check by gently shaking the pan. If the center jiggles slightly but the edges are set, it’s a good indicator that your casserole is cooked through.

 

Remember, once you take it out and let it cool slightly, it will continue to cook. So, make sure the center is slightly jiggly to prevent over cooking it. For those that rely more on thermometers, the internal temperature should reach at least 160°F to ensure that the eggs are fully cooked. Knowing when your breakfast casserole is perfectly done will guarantee a delicious and satisfying morning meal.

 

 

How do you reheat overnight breakfast casserole?

 

If you have leftovers, which I doubt because this casserole is delicious, reheating it is quick and easy. I microwave a slice for 2 to 3 minutes on half power. To keep it from drying out make I put mine in a container and set the lid on top. I don’t close the lip, but just set on top. Alternatively, you can cover it with a damp paper towel to make sure it doesn’t dry out.

 

You can also reheat it in the oven by covering the casserole dish with foil and baking it at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Once heated, you can enjoy the same flavors and textures as when it was freshly baked. This works great if you double the recipe and plan on having the leftovers on a second day.

 

 

 

How do you make this overnight casserole?

 

First, combine the bread with the turkey, half the cheese, and the pimentos in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Spray an 8×8 casserole dish and set it aside while you prepare the custard mixture. Grab another mixing bowl and combine the eggs with the cream, milk, and spices. Stir with a whisk until lightly beaten.

 

Pour the custard over the bread mixture and use a spatula to press the bread down into the egg mixture to make sure it absorbs all that custard goodness. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and store the remaining cheese in a small zip top baggie. Store in the fridge overnight.

 

Take the casserole out at the same time you turn on your oven. By the time the oven comes to temperature, the casserole will be warm enough to bake. If you bake it straight from the fridge it will take longer. Saving some time by taking it out of the fridge when you start your oven saves you baking time in the end.

 

 

Bake the casserole at 350 F for about 40 to 50 minutes. When the casserole is almost done, top with the remaining cheese. Almost done means it’s a little more jiggly than you think it needs to be before it’s cooked enough to take out. Make sure the center still jiggles a little before you take it out. You don’t want it to be overcooked which makes it dry

 

What does this overnight breakfast casserole taste like?

 
It’s hearty and delicious. The turkey and sage compliment each other. The pimentos add color and a little sweetness. The bread soaks up all that custard goodness making it absolutely creamy like a bread pudding but in savory form. The custard has a delicious flavor with the spices in there. It’s a simple and delicious breakfast for anyone having guests over or just because you don’t want to cook a full breakfast for your family in the morning like we did!

Best Holiday Casserole Recipes

• Baked Rigatoni Casserole by Our Good Life
• Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Overnight Breakfast Casserole by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Winter Squash Casserol by That Recipe

We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you’re at it, join our Pinterest board, too!