9 Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch) Joy

Oh, I know the drill. The holidays arrive, and suddenly you’re trying to juggle perfectly roasted potatoes, keep the coffee brewing, and greet guests who arrive way too early. It’s chaos! But what if I told you that the most important part of your *Holiday Brunch* could be done completely the night before? Seriously! That’s where my absolute favorite dish comes in: the incredible Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch). I can still remember the sound of laughter and the smell of baked goods wafting through my aunt’s kitchen every holiday season. It was during these cherished mornings that this casserole became our family tradition. My aunt would prepare it the night before, and as we awoke to the aroma of cheese and ham warming up in the oven, it felt like the holiday magic had begun. Now, I carry on that tradition in my own home, knowing that this casserole not only fills our bellies but also our hearts with memories of togetherness and love.

Why This Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch) is Your Holiday Hero

Listen, prepping for a holiday brunch should not feel like running a marathon! This casserole is designed to keep your sanity intact while still delivering major flavor. It’s hearty, it’s cheesy, and honestly, it tastes even better because you didn’t have to wake up at 4 AM to make it.

• It’s the ultimate Make Ahead Breakfast solution.
• It handles those unexpected extra guests without breaking a sweat.
• The savory flavor profile is a crowd-pleaser every single time.

Perfect Make Ahead Breakfast Timing

The real magic is that hour marked as ‘Chill Time’—six hundred minutes, people! That overnight soak isn’t just for shelf life; it lets the bread really drink up all that rich custard. When morning hits, all you do is pop this beauty in the oven. Zero stress! You can actually enjoy your coffee while everyone else is arriving.

Feeds the Whole Family Gathering Meals

This 9×13 Casserole is built to Serve a Crowd. The recipe is designed for eight hungry people, but trust me, if you have teenagers or hungry relatives visiting, you can easily double it up in a second dish. It scales up like a dream, making it perfect for those big Family Gathering Meals where you need substantial food ready to go.

Essential Ingredients for the Best Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch)

You can’t rush magic, especially when serving a crowd for the holidays. The quality of your ingredients makes or breaks this Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch). I’ve listed exactly what you need below. Trust me, using day-old bread makes a world of difference in the soaking process. If you want the *best* texture, stick close to these lists! You can find more great dinner ideas over at my recipe index.

For the Casserole Base

This is the foundation that holds all that cheesy goodness. Don’t just grab any bread!

• 4 cups day-old challah or other egg-enriched bread, loosely packed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces thickly sliced pancetta, diced (this adds such a better flavor than regular ham here!)
• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese (aim for about 4 ounces)

For the Rich Custard Mixture

This is where we build the flavor and ensure everything binds perfectly together.

• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (don’t skip this, it’s festive!)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Expert Tips for Assembling Your Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch)

Okay, you’ve got your ingredients, but the *way* you assemble this makes all the difference between a fine casserole and a legendary one. If you want that perfect texture for your Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch), pay close attention to these small but mighty details. If you’re looking for more inspiration for this kind of gathering, you can always check out my About Page. And for more cooking wisdom, sometimes I check out resources like The Kitchn!

Pre-Cooking Aromatics and Meat

Don’t just throw the raw onions and pancetta in! We need to soften those onions first until they smell sweet—about 5 to 7 minutes in that tablespoon of olive oil. Then, crisp up that pancetta until it’s perfect. The most important part here is draining off every bit of excess fat once it’s done. We want savory flavor, not a greasy bottom layer in our 9×13 dish, right?

Achieving Maximum Soak Time

This is my non-negotiable tip for anyone making a Make Ahead Breakfast: you absolutely must chill this for 10 hours, or even better, overnight. If you rush this step, the bread stays dry and you get weird pockets of custard floating around. That long soak time ensures every single cube of challah gets saturated. That’s your secret to serving a perfect Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch) without any mushiness!

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch)

Now that we’ve prepped all the bits and pieces overnight, the actual assembly and baking on holiday morning is incredibly easy. You’ll be shocked how little you have to do right before your guests arrive! If you were looking for more quick meal ideas, definitely browse through the recipes on my recipe category page.

Assembling the Layers

First things first, make sure you grease that 9×13 dish—I like a little extra butter on the corners! Spread those soaked bread cubes in there evenly. Next, you’re going to layer: gently spread the sweet onions right over the bread, followed by that crispy pancetta we cooked yesterday. Then it’s time for the custard! Whisk those eggs and milk mixture really well, pour it all over the layers, and now, you *must* gently press down on the bread. We want contact! Finish this off by sprinkling that gorgeous Gruyère cheese right on top. That’s it for assembly!

Baking and Resting the Casserole

When your guests are due, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the plastic wrap off so it can puff up nicely. Bake this Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch) for about 45 to 55 minutes. You know it’s ready when it’s golden brown on top and if you stick a knife near the middle, it comes out clean—no wet stuff allowed! The very last step, and this is important, is letting it rest for ten minutes after it comes out. This lets it set up so you can serve perfect squares.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Holiday Brunch

I always want you to be able to make this casserole even if your pantry is slightly different from mine! Flexibility is key when you’re planning a huge Holiday Brunch. We want everyone to be able to pull off this amazing make-ahead dish. If you have any questions about this recipe or anything else in the kitchen, don’t hesitate to reach out via my contact page.

Bread Choices Beyond Challah

Challah is fantastic because it’s rich with eggs and butter, which gives it a lovely texture when soaked. But if you can’t find it, don’t panic! Brioche is an awesome substitute because it’s got that same rich quality. Sturdy French bread also works well, but whatever you pick, it needs to be day-old. If your bread isn’t slightly dry, it will just deflate into mush when the custard hits it. We want cubes that hold their shape, so let that bread sit out for a few hours if you have to!

Meat Variations for the Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Pancetta is my go-to because it renders out such incredible flavor, but I know it can be specialty item sometimes. If you need a quick swap for your Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole, cooked ham works perfectly fine—just dice it up. A cup of pre-cooked breakfast sausage is another winner; it definitely ups the savory factor!

When you swap the raw pancetta for pre-cooked meats, remember you don’t need to cook them until crispy anymore. You just need to warm them through with the onions for a minute or two before layering them onto the bread. Easy peasy!

Serving Suggestions for the Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch)

Since this Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch) is already rich with bread, meat, and cheese, we want sides that feel bright and fresh, you know? Don’t forget to balance out all that wonderful richness!

My favorite move is serving it alongside a big bowl of fresh fruit salad—maybe some bright red strawberries and sliced kiwi for a festive look. A little homemade cranberry relish or maybe some lightly dressed greens really cuts through the savoriness beautifully. If you need some ideas for lighter entrées later in the season, check out my thoughts on simple balanced suppers!

Storage and Reheating the Make Ahead Breakfast

So, you’ve managed to survive the holiday brunch, and guess what? You have leftovers! That’s the beauty of starting ahead—you get a second, easy meal later. Since we put so much effort into that overnight soak, we want to treat these leftovers right.

When you put the rest of this amazing casserole away, make sure you cover it tightly. I usually use foil first, and then maybe a layer of plastic wrap over that if it’s going to stay in the fridge for more than a day. It keeps really nicely in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. Seriously, it’s just as good the next day!

The Best Way to Reheat

I know it’s tempting to just microwave a slice, but please, don’t do it if you want to keep that lovely texture we worked so hard for. Heating it in the oven is always my preference for leftovers. Pop the portion you want onto a baking sheet or back into a smaller dish, cover it loosely with foil—we don’t want it to burn while it heats through—and aim for about 350°F (175°C).

Give it about 15 to 20 minutes. This gentle heat warms the custard back up without turning the bread tough. You want it to be steaming hot all the way through.

Reviving Texture If It Seems Dry

Sometimes, even the best casserole can get a little dry after a couple of days in the fridge—totally normal! If you notice your slice seems a bit stiff after reheating, don’t fret. I have a trick for you.

Just add one tiny splash of milk—like a teaspoon—right over the slice before you cover it with foil to reheat. That little bit of moisture steams right into the bread during the warming process, making it taste almost exactly like the first day. You won’t even notice the difference!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ham and Cheese Casserole

I get so many messages after the holidays about this glorious dish! It’s a staple for Family Gathering Meals, so it makes sense you have questions about making it absolutely perfect. Whether you’re trying to make this a Calorie Smart Recipe choice or just need to know if you can use what you have on hand, here are some quick answers for you! If you’re looking for other lighter options, definitely check out the easy recipes over at my calorie-smart section.

Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of challah for this Ham and Cheese Casserole?

Oh, you totally can, but I have to be honest: the texture won’t be quite the same. Challah is wonderful because it’s rich and holds up beautifully against the custard. If you use standard white sandwich bread, make absolutely sure it’s day-old! Very fresh, soft bread tends to break down too much during that long Make Ahead Breakfast chill time and you end up with a denser result in your 9×13 Casserole.

What is the best cheese to use besides Gruyère?

Gruyère melts like a dream and that subtle nutty flavor is perfect with the pancetta. But if you’re out, Sharp Cheddar is my number one backup! It gives a bolder cheese flavor that folks really seem to love in a Ham and Cheese Casserole. Swiss cheese is another great option if you want to stay closer to the nutty profile of the Gruyère. Really, most good melting cheeses work here, but avoid anything too crumbly that doesn’t melt smoothly.

Can this be frozen after assembly?

I strongly advise against freezing this casserole *before* you bake it. The bread soaks up the liquid overnight, and freezing it right then can mess with the structure once thawed, sometimes resulting in weird texture patches. It’s always safer to bake it completely, let it cool, and then freeze the leftovers. Once it’s baked, it freezes beautifully, and you can pull out a slice for an easy reheat later on. This prevents any sad, soggy spots in your Make Ahead Breakfast!

Estimated Nutritional Data for Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch)

Look, when you’re making a big, cheesy, savory Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch) for the holidays, we aren’t exactly aiming for diet food, are we? This is comfort food that fuels up the whole family for opening presents or playing games later!

I ran the numbers through a calculator based on the ingredients listed here—the pancetta, the whole milk, and that good Gruyère cheese all add up, so keep that in mind. These numbers are just a good guideline for planning!

• Estimated Calories: 450-500 per serving
• Estimated Fat: 28g – 32g per serving (because of all that wonderful cheese and pancetta!)
• Estimated Protein: 20g – 24g per serving
• Estimated Carbohydrates: 25g – 30g per serving

Now, this is a super important bit! You always need to remember that these are just estimates based on standard measurements. If you use extra smoky pancetta, or maybe swap in a reduced-fat milk, your actual results for this great Make Ahead Breakfast are going to look different. I always tell people to treat these numbers as a starting point, not gospel, especially when you’re baking for a big crowd!

Share Your Holiday Brunch Creations

Okay, now that you know how simple it is to pull off the most delicious breakfast centerpiece for your guests, I absolutely have to hear about it! Seriously, seeing what you all create brings me so much joy. Did you add a little sharp cheddar instead of Gruyère? Did you manage to get everyone around the table on time?

I always love getting feedback, so please leave a rating for this Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole (Holiday Brunch) right below this section. Five stars if you loved it, please! And if you snapped a picture of it on your beautiful holiday table, tag me on social media! I’d love to see how this recipe becomes part of *your* family traditions now.

If you’re already planning your next easy meal rotation after the holidays, you might want to check out that Turkey Veggie Zucchini Skillet I shared. It’s great when you need something quick but still loaded with flavor after all that rich brunch food!