This hearty breakfast casserole is packed full of savory ham, sautéed onions, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh eggs and a secret ingredient that adds a tasty crunch!
This really is the easiest Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole, and it's one of our breakfast favorites. We often use leftover holiday ham to make it which makes it extra special. The prep time for this breakfast casserole is only about 5-10 minutes, and the baking time is around 40 minutes, making this an easy meal to get started then move on to taking care of the kids, doing morning chores, or getting ready for work or school.
It can be difficult to come up with new and exciting dinner ideas. While making the same tried and true dishes can be easy, it can also cause us to get into a dinner planning rut. One way I try to switch things up is by having breakfast for dinner. This dish has saved me a few times on a busy weeknight! Be sure to serve this savory dish with a sweet treat like Buttermilk Mixed Berry Waffles or Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Pancakes for a perfect pairing!
To Make The Easiest Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole you will need:
Ham
As I mentioned, we usually use our leftover holiday ham to make this recipe but for times when I don’t have any available, a store-bought package will do just fine. We prefer the larger cubed pieces of ham because they don’t get lost in the eggs like the smaller diced pieces do.
Onion
For this recipe, I do the chop and drop method, meaning I don’t sauté the onions before adding them to the egg mixture. They will soften during the baking process, but we enjoy that tangy, subtle crunch they provide among the softness of the eggs and ham.
Eggs
Fresh eggs are everything in this recipe so if you have eggs that have been hanging out in your fridge for a while, this is not the time to use them (or at all!). Large eggs are what I use for this recipe but if your eggs are on the smaller side, you’ll probably want to double the number used or at least use a few extra.
Milk
Milk helps the eggs to become fluffy and creamy. If you don’t have milk on hand, you can simply use water. The eggs will be less fluffy and creamy, but it will get the job done.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
A good sharp cheddar cheese is our absolute favorite type of cheese. We enjoy it by itself as a quick snack or with savory dishes like this one. A sharp cheese has a bold, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the eggs and the saltiness of the ham.
Saltine Crackers
Our secret ingredient that will add texture, crunch, and a delicious crispy crust on our casserole! Saltine crackers will help to bulk up the casserole as well as help everything bind together. You can use salted or unsalted here. I typically use salted, so I have omitted the use of additional salt in the recipe.
Make this with me on YouTube!
Let’s Make The Easiest Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole!
To start, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until the eggs are lightly beaten.
Add ham, onions, butter, spices, and two cups of shredded cheese. Mix gently to combine.
Pour mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.
Top mixture with crushed saltine crackers.
Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until eggs are cooked through completely.
Remove from oven and top with remaining half cup of cheese.
Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted completely.
This hearty breakfast casserole is the first recipe my daughters were able to put together by themselves. It's a family favorite and fits the bill for an easy holiday breakfast or a potluck brunch. The best part is that it requires minimal ingredients that are typically budget-friendly, pantry staples. The beauty of this recipe is the versatility of ingredients so feel free to mix it up with your favorites!
Yield: 8-10 Servings
Ingredients:
32 ounces cubed ham
1 medium onion, diced
8 large eggs
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 ½ cups or approximately 25-30 saltine crackers, crushed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare a 9x13 baking dish by spraying lightly with non-stick spray or by buttering the bottom and edges of the dish.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk milk and eggs until lightly beaten.
Add ham, onions, butter, spices, and two cups of shredded cheese to egg mixture. Mix gently to combine.
Pour mixture into a prepared 9x13 baking dish.
Top mixture with crushed saltine crackers.
Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until eggs are cooked through completely.
Remove from oven and top with remaining half cup of cheese.
Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted completely.
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