Overnight Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole is a delicious twist on the classic Monte Cristo sandwich, featuring layers of ham and cheese. Bake it to perfection and serve with a side of jam for a tasty breakfast treat!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 loaf of specialty bread, such as Franz Innkeeper’s Cranberry Orange Bread (or any seasonal variety)
- 16 oz Canadian bacon or ham slices
- 4 oz Swiss cheese, sliced
- ¼ cup honey mustard
- ½ cup orange cranberry relish (or your favorite preserves, such as peach, marmalade, or raspberry jam)
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
- 1 ¾ cups milk
- 8 large eggs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground pepper
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- ¾ cup raspberry preserves (optional)
- Fresh sage for garnish
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish (preferably ceramic)
- Large mixing bowl (glass bowls work well for baking)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing it with cooking spray.
- On a large surface, arrange the bread slices. On half of the slices, layer the Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese, then add 1 tablespoon of cranberry relish or jam, spreading it evenly.
- On the other half of the bread slices, spread honey mustard generously for added flavor. Place the slices together to form sandwiches and cut each sandwich into triangles.
- Arrange the triangles in the prepared baking dish with the points facing up. Pack them tightly to ensure they fit.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour this egg mixture over the sandwiches. Top with the shredded Gruyere cheese.
- Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Uncover the dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is golden and the eggs are set (not runny).
- Once baked, let it cool for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh sage and dust with powdered sugar. Serve with a side of maple syrup or jam, if desired.
Notes: This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Feel free to serve with your favorite preserves for an extra burst of flavor!
