Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole

This delicious and easy ham and cheese croissant breakfast casserole, can be made the night before and you will have a breakfast that feels indulgent while being incredibly easy to prepare.

This Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole is perfect for lazy weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or those occasions when you want to feed a crowd without spending the entire morning in the kitchen. Best of all, you can assemble it the night before and simply pop it in the oven when you’re ready to bake.

Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole

This recipe combines some of the best breakfast ingredients in one dish. The croissants soak up the rich egg mixture while staying wonderfully tender, the ham adds a salty savory bite, and the cheese melts into every bite.

It’s also wonderfully versatile. Use your favorite cheese, add a handful of spinach or sautéed vegetables, or swap the ham for cooked bacon or sausage. You can even omit the savory ham and cheese and make a sweet version by adding fruit and a sweetener like maple syrup or honey.

Ingredients

• 6 large croissants, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 (up to 1½ ) cups diced cooked ham
• 1 (up to 1½) cups shredded cheese
• 5-6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk (or a combination of cream and milk)
• 1 teaspoon Dry mustard. (Dijon can be used if you don’t have dry mustard)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• powdered sugar (optional)

How to Make Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole

1. Prepare the baking dish

Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

2. Tear up the croissants into bite sized pieces and spread in the pan, add the ham, and cheese

3. Make the egg mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, mustard, salt, pepper, until smooth and well combined.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the croissants and ham and cheese. Gently press down on the croissants with the back of a spoon so they can absorb some of the custard.

4. Let it soak

For the best texture, cover it and refrigerate it overnight, making it an excellent make-ahead breakfast for holidays and busy mornings. If you are baking it the same day and assembly, then let the casserole chill for at least 2 hours to absorb some of the custard mixture.

5. Bake

Bake covered for 30 minutes then remove cover and bake a further 10-15 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is beautifully golden brown. If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with foil for the remainder of the baking time.

Let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before slicing. Finish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar if desired.

Make It Ahead

One of the best things about this recipe is that it can be prepared the night before.

Simply assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, take it out while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. If it’s going straight from the refrigerator into the oven, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Easy Variations

There are plenty of ways to customize this breakfast casserole.

• Add vegetables: Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions make delicious additions.
• Change the cheese: Try mozzarella, Monterey Jack, cheddar, Gruyère, or a combination.
• Use bacon: Replace the ham with cooked, crumbled bacon for a smoky twist.
• Add a little heat: Mix in diced jalapeno or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Fresh herbs: Chives, parsley, thyme, or green onions add a fresh finishing touch.
• Make it a vegetarian version, no meat just assorted cheeses
• Make it a sweet version omit the meat and cheese, add fruit (blueberries work well) and some sweetener like maple syrup or honey.

What to Serve With It

This casserole is filling enough to serve on its own, but it pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, berries, a simple green salad, roasted potatoes, or a light fruit salad.

For brunch, serve it alongside coffee, tea, or fresh orange juice for an easy and satisfying spread.

Tips for the Best Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Use day-old croissants if possible. Slightly stale croissants absorb the egg custard particularly well without becoming overly soggy.

Don’t skip the resting time. Giving the casserole time to absorb the custard helps create a soft, flavorful center.

Grate your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheese generally melts more smoothly than ore-shredded varieties. Let it rest before serving. Ten minutes of cooling makes the casserole easier to slice and gives the custard time to finish setting.

If you would like to try some of my other breakfast casseroles you can find them below.

Blueberry Bread Pudding

Christmas Morning Wifesaver

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this casserole the night before?

Yes! This is one of the best make-ahead breakfast recipes. Assemble it, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. Bake it the following morning.

Can I use mini croissants?

Absolutely. Mini croissants work well; simply use enough to fill the baking dish and adjust the amount of egg mixture as needed.

Can I freeze the casserole?

For the best texture, I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerating leftovers for a few days. Freezing can slightly change the texture of the egg custard and croissants.

How do I store leftovers?

Cover leftovers and refrigerate them. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or gently in the oven until warmed through.

The Perfect Easy Brunch

This Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole proves that an impressive brunch doesn’t have to be complicated. With buttery croissants, savory ham, gooey cheese, and a creamy egg custard, every bite is comforting and delicious.

Whether you’re preparing breakfast for your family, hosting a holiday brunch, or simply want something special for a weekend morning, this is a recipe worth keeping in your breakfast rotation.