This easy casserole recipe has all the flavors and ingredients of a Monte Cristo sandwich, but combines them in a scrumptious brunch or breakfast casserole. There’s layers of tender brioche bread with cubed ham, sliced turkey, and both Swiss and cheddar cheeses. A mixture of eggs and milk is poured over before baking this hearty recipe. I always top my Monte Cristo breakfast casserole with confectioners’ sugar both for a nice visual presentation and also for a touch of sweetness. Additionally, dipping or adding some raspberry preserves or raspberry jam is a nice way to add some sweetness to the savory nature of the recipe. But both the powdered sugar and the preserves are optional. If you’re wondering if you can assemble this recipe in advance or prep it in advance, you sure can. Read below for all the details. Because let’s face it, if you’re serving this for a holiday brunch such as Christmas morning, Easter, or Mother’s Day, having it totally ready to go is key for a smooth and stress-free morning!
Ingredients Needed
Very common and easy to find fridge and pantry ingredients are all you need to make this family favorite brunch recipe that tastes like a million bucks!
Brioche bread – a loaf of French bread may be substituted Deli turkey Cubed deli ham – or your leftover holiday ham! Shredded Swiss cheese Shredded cheddar cheese Large eggs Milk Powdered sugar, optional for dusting Raspberry preserves or jam, optional for serving
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Monte Cristo Casserole
This is such an easy recipe to make since there’s no “cooking” involved, per se. You’re going to look like a Star Chef to your guests simply by assembling ingredients with just about 10 minutes of prep time, and then baking it off! Use about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of your leftover ham, whatever looks about right as you’re layering it. And if you have a lot of ham to use, go heavy-handed with it! Tip – If you’re prepping this in advance, stop here, cover with aluminum foil, and refrigerate.
More Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipes:
Cheesy Egg Casserole with Bacon — Loaded with green onions and cheddar cheese, this egg casserole with bacon is a great recipe to have on hand for holiday brunches! Simply assemble it the night before, but do not pour the egg and milk mixture over it. Cover it tightly, and store in your fridge for up to 24-48 hours. When you’re ready to bake it, be sure to take it out of the fridge for about an hour and let it sit at room temp. Casserole dishes and baking dishes can get very cold in a cold fridge and it’s best to bake this after it’s had time to come up to room temp! Pour the egg-milk mixture over the top and bake as directed. In the Freezer: This recipe will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you want to make this with the intention of freezing it to then thaw and serve at a later date, that’s fine! You can freeze it in a disposable baking tin, in individual portioned containers, or how ever you can find the space to store it in your freezer. I prefer freezing an already baked casserole so that I’m not freezing raw eggs (in an unbaked casserole) which just adds another layer of concern for the future that I eliminate. To Reheat: I use my microwave for quickness and ease and reheat my leftovers for about 30 seconds on high, or as needed. But you can use your oven, whatever is best suited for you. From frozen, thaw it before you begin reheating it. If you’re reheating an entire casserole, I suggest a 325F oven, just to warm it through. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Mexican Cheesy Sausage and Egg Casserole – EASY, hearty, loaded with sausage, tons of CHEESE, and topped with avocado!! This is a family favorite that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner!! Cheesy Hash Brown Crust Quiche — This EASY quiche uses crispy hash browns as the crust and is topped with cheesy eggs!! The ultimate comfort food brunch or breakfast-for-dinner recipe that everyone LOVES!! Savory French Toast Bake with Bacon and Cheese — No need to stand at the stove to flip and babysit your French toast with this easy BAKED version!! Plenty of bacon and melted cheddar for the perfect savory, comfort-food French toast that’s great for breakfast, brunch, or brinner!! Caramel Overnight French Toast Casserole — EASY, soft, tender, and decadent French toast that’s coated in caramel sauce!! Assemble it the night before and wake up to an amazing breakfast or brunch that everyone will ADORE!! Overnight Syrup-On-The-Bottom French Toast – Assemble it the night before and wake up to AMAZING French toast the next morning!! An EASY homemade syrup layer on the bottom with super SOFT challah bread on top! Great for brunches and holiday mornings!! Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Bake — Every bite tastes like the super SOFT, gooey CENTER of a cinnamon roll! Spiked with pumpkin and flooded with icing, this EASY recipe is an automatic WINNER! Perfect for cozy, fall-inspired breakfasts and brunches that will impress everyone!
