Christmas Morning Wifesaver
This is a perfect make ahead casserole for an easy Christmas morning breakfast. Layers of bread, cheese and ham with a crisp buttery topping.
Equipment
- 1 9x13" baking dish or lasagna pan I prefer glass
Ingredients
- 16 slices Bread, crusts removed you can use your favorite bread
- 8 slices sharp or strong cheddar cheese. (sliced or shredded) * enough to cover the bread about 1/8" thick
- 8 slices ham, enough to cover the bread pre sliced or slice your own
- 6 lg Eggs
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 cup red, orange or green pepper, diced small use your favorite
- 1/4 cup onion, minced small
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 3 cups whole milk
- dash Tabasco or other hot sauce such as Frank's
- 1/4 lb butter, melted
- 2-3 cups Special K or Corn Flake cereal, crushed enough to cover the casserole 1/2" thickness
Instructions
- Butter a 9x13" baking dish
- Slice the crusts off of all of the bread, then place half of the bread on the bottom of the casserole dish, cutting pieces of extra slices to patch if needed.
- Cover the bread slices with the meat, then the cheese. Make sure it is fully covered.
- Cover the meat and cheese layers with another layer of bread slices, again patch as needed.
- In a large bowl, beat 6 eggs then add the salt, pepper, dry mustard, onion, peppers, worcestershire, milk and hot sauce.
- Pour mixture evenly over the the bread, try to get the peppers and onions evenly distributed.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight
- In the morning, preheat oven to 350℉
- Melt the butter and pour over the entire casserole. Top with the cereal crumbs in an even layer
- Bake at 350℉ uncovered for 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean (it can take an extra 15 minutes or so depending on your oven).
- When done, remove from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes. It will deflate a bit, that is normal.
- Slice into 8 large or 12 smaller servings. Serve with hash browns or a fruit salad for a nice holiday breakfast
Notes
This casserole is a real crowd pleaser. I have been making it every Christmas for 30+ years. If you have vegetarians in the house, you could divide into 2 small casseroles and omit the ham from one.