Ultimate Overnight Beef Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Introduction
This Ultimate Overnight Beef Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches. Packed with savory ground beef, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese, it’s an easy make-ahead meal that bakes to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- Whole milk (or 2% or almond milk), amount as preferred
- Sturdy bread (like sourdough or French bread), cut into cubes
- Ground beef
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or pepper jack or mozzarella)
- Diced bell peppers
- Diced onions
- Spinach
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Fresh herbs (like chives or parsley)
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: In a large bowl, toss the cubed bread with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread the bread cubes in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Step 3: Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat, then add diced onions and bell peppers. Cook until softened, seasoning with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and any additional seasonings you like.
- Step 5: Layer the cooked beef and vegetables evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Pour the egg mixture over the top, making sure everything is well-coated.
- Step 6: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the casserole.
- Step 7: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Step 8: In the morning, let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Bake in the preheated oven for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and eggs are fully set.
- Step 9: Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use your favorite cheese or a mix for varied flavor and texture.
- Add cooked spinach or other greens for extra nutrition.
- Swap ground beef for sausage or turkey for a different protein option.
- For a dairy-free version, use almond milk and omit or replace cheese with a dairy-free alternative.
- Make sure to soak the bread cubes lightly in olive oil to prevent sogginess and add crispiness.
Storage
Store any leftover casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through. You can also freeze the casserole before baking; thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this casserole without overnight refrigeration?
Yes, you can bake it immediately after assembling, but letting it soak overnight enhances the flavors and texture, resulting in a more cohesive dish.
Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?
Absolutely. Sturdy breads like sourdough, French bread, or a rustic country loaf work best because they hold up well without becoming too soggy.
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Ultimate Overnight Beef Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 16 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This Ultimate Overnight Beef Breakfast Casserole is a delicious and hearty make-ahead recipe perfect for busy mornings. Cubed sturdy bread is tossed with olive oil and seasoned, then layered with a flavorful mixture of cooked ground beef, sautéed bell peppers, onions, and spinach. A rich custard of eggs and milk is poured over, topped with shredded cheese, and refrigerated overnight. The next morning, it bakes to a golden, cheesy perfection, making a satisfying breakfast or brunch dish that can be garnished with fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Bread Mixture
- Sturdy bread (like sourdough or French bread), cut into cubes – 6 cups
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Pepper – ¼ teaspoon
Meat and Veggies
- Ground beef – 1 pound
- Diced bell peppers – 1 cup
- Diced onions – 1 cup
- Spinach – 1 cup fresh, roughly chopped
- Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Pepper – ¼ teaspoon
Egg Custard
- Large eggs – 12
- Whole milk (or 2% or almond milk) – 2 cups
Topping
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or pepper jack or mozzarella) – 2 cups
- Fresh herbs (like chives or parsley), chopped – 2 tablespoons for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Bread: In a large bowl, toss cubed bread with olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread the bread cubes evenly in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish to form the base layer.
- Cook Beef and Veggies: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Add diced onions and bell peppers to the skillet, cooking until softened. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper for flavor.
- Whisk Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and any additional seasonings you prefer to create the egg custard.
- Assemble Casserole: Layer the cooked beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the bread in the baking dish. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top to soak the layers.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese or your preferred cheese variety evenly over the casserole surface.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight to allow the bread to soak the custard and flavors to meld.
- Bring to Room Temperature: In the morning, remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the eggs are fully set.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Using sturdy bread like sourdough or French bread helps maintain texture after soaking in the egg mixture.
- You can substitute whole milk with 2% or almond milk based on dietary preferences.
- For added nutrition, spinach is included, but you can omit or replace it with other greens.
- The casserole can be customized with different cheeses such as pepper jack or mozzarella.
- Letting the casserole rest at room temperature before baking helps it cook evenly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: overnight breakfast casserole, beef breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast, baked egg casserole, hearty breakfast recipe
