A hearty Overnight Bacon Breakfast Casserole that is sure to please all your friends and family for brunch. This make ahead breakfast casserole recipe can be prepped all the night before. And it contains the classic breakfast favorites - eggs, bacon, cheese and brioche.
This Bacon Breakfast Casserole is a popular recipe
Breakfast casseroles are super delicious! I'll start out by saying you can find a lot of breakfast casserole recipes on The Worktop.
I've found that this Bacon Breakfast Casserole is always a hit when feeding family and friends for brunch.
This casserole has all the breakfast classics
One reason why this overnight Bacon Breakfast Casserole is so popular is because it uses classic breakfast ingredients that everyone loves.
It's loaded with bacon, egg and cheese. The recipe also calls for brioche, which is super tasty and pillowy when baked like this.
Who can resist brioche, bacon, egg and cheese all mixed into one?
This is a make ahead breakfast
I often create casserole recipes so they are make ahead breakfasts. That way you save yourself trouble in the morning. This overnight Bacon Breakfast Casserole is no exception.
It's best if you prep this breakfast casserole the night before. Then simply let it rest in the fridge overnight. Finally in the morning, pop it right into the oven.
Yes, this is intended as a make ahead breakfast casserole.
But, if you don't get to it the night before, that's ok!
Tips for making this in the morning
You can also get away with preparing this all in the morning. That's because brioche is generally forgiving enough.
If you make this recipe in the morning, there's one important step to take. Give the bread cubes a good poking with a fork before scattering them into the casserole dish.
Doing so helps it absorb the egg custard quicker. Then, let the brioche sit in the egg, bacon and cheese mixture for at least 30 minutes before baking.
This Bacon Egg Breakfast Casserole is an easy brunch to feed a crowd
I love breakfast casseroles in general because you can serve them for a crowd of any size. If you are hosting a brunch party, everyone can dig in all at once when it comes out of the oven.
Overnight breakfast casseroles are also great options if you want to socialize with your guests. That's because you don't need to stand over a stovetop.
Once this make ahead Bacon Breakfast Casserole is in the oven, you can step away from the kitchen. Then let the magic happen by itself.
You can also save the leftovers
However, I also make this just for us at home. I treat it like a meal prep since it makes several breakfasts.
You can easily heat up the leftovers for the next few days. Or, we also love to enjoy this savory breakfast for dinner.
How to Make this Bacon Breakfast Casserole
Making this overnight breakfast casserole is relatively straightforward. It's similar to any other casserole.
You can read the full recipe below, but here’s a quick recap in five steps.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet. Mix the egg, milk, cheese and cooked bacon together.
- Evenly scatter the brioche bread cubes in a casserole dish. Next, pour the egg and bacon mixture over it.
- Cover it and let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Or if you make this in the morning, at least 30 minutes.
- Pop it in the oven. Then, allow the breakfast casserole to bake until it has set and the top is browned.
- Remove from the oven. Finally, serve a big slice of this Bacon Breakfast Casserole while it's still warm.
Tips for Making this Cheesy Bacon Breakfast Casserole
Here are some of my most helpful tips. Based on questions I've received, I hope these answers help.
I need to make this breakfast this morning
It's best to treat this as an overnight Bacon Breakfast Casserole.
But if you're reading this and need to get this in the oven this morning, relax!
Start by following the recipe. However, give your bread cubes a good poking with a fork before pouring in the liquid.
That will help encourage the bread to soak in the egg mixture quicker. If you have the time, just leave the casserole on the counter for at least 30 minutes before baking.
Using brioche bread in this casserole
I love using brioche bread in this casserole. That's because of its richness, slightly sweet taste, and soft texture.
Challah also works great in this make ahead breakfast casserole since the hearty bread goes with the bacon.
I would avoid using sourdough, though.
Adding other ingredients
This is a simple recipe with straight forward flavors. Feel free to add in onions, red or green peppers, and or other mix-ins of your choice.
If you do so, cook the mix-ins with the bacon first. Doing so will rid any excess water. Then, simply mix into the custard.
Here's a delicious seasoning that would work so well as a finishing!
Enjoy this Overnight Bacon Breakfast Casserole
I really hope you enjoy this breakfast recipe. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comments below.
Also, if you love breakfast casseroles, don't miss out on these other delicious recipes:
- Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
- Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
- Ham and Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Want to see more? View all the breakfast casserole recipes on The Worktop.
Bacon Breakfast Casserole
Print Recipe Save RecipeIngredients
- 12 slices (about 1-lb) brioche bread - cubed into 1-inch cubes
- ½ lbs bacon (use more bacon if you desire) - cut into 1-cm pieces
- 8 medium eggs
- 1 ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 whole green onions (white and green parts) - sliced thinly, for topping
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13-inch pan. Evenly layer in the brioche bread cubes.
- In a medium skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked through. Remove from heat, including any rendered bacon fat, and allow to cool slightly.
- As the bacon is cooking, in a large bowl, beat the eggs. Mix in the milk, cheese, pepper and salt. Mix in the bacon when it is done.
- Carefully pour the egg mixture over the brioche bread cubes and give it a gentle stir so everything is evenly distributed. Gently press the cubes into the egg mixture as needed, so all the bread cubes are sitting in the liquid.
- Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes, but preferably let the casserole sit in the refrigerator overnight.
- When you are ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C. Bake the casserole in the middle oven rack for 45 - 55 minutes, until the middle of the casserole is set, and the top has browned. A toothpick inserted in the middle of the casserole should come out clean.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Garnish with green onions and serve warm.
BJE says
I left my breakfast casserole recipe at home while on vacation and luckily came across this recipe which appears to be very closely related to mine. Allowed it to marinate overnight in refrigerator, baked this morning. It's very good.
***I added a yellow pepper, lots of cheese (I used Mexican-Style 3-cheese instead of cheddar since that's what I had in frig, I used basic (cheap) white bread (dried it out in oven at 300 for 10 minutes). I always use Seasoning Salt instead of table salt. Drying out the bread does make the casserole less "wet" which is why I choose to do it.
Karen Barnes says
I have searched the Internet for a recipe I used years ago. Your recipe is very close (as I remember).
Thank you this will be part of our Easter brunch with the family. and many more gatherings to come!
elizabeth reilly says
The recipe is very similar to one I've been making for years. I have one question though. The recipe says to cook the bacon then remove to cool with rendered fat. Does the rendered fat get put into the casserole?
Tina Jui says
Hi - yes, I add the whole thing into the breakfast casserole. Enjoy!
Devan says
This is our post-Thanksgiving weekend breakfast ritual (for the last two years at least, as we are a new family). I remember the mom of a friend of mine in high school making this for our early morning Jazz Choir rehearsal on Friday mornings and all of us devouring it! I asked her for the recipe last year and wow - just as delicious as I remembered! I added one whole green bell pepper, used sourdough bread instead of brioche, and added two bunches of chopped green onion inside the casserole. I actually make two of these in smaller pans. Absolutely scrumptious!
Kate says
My family just gave me a thumbs up on this dish. I minced a red onion and 4 cloves garlic, sautéed and sprinkled in dish. I doubled the cheese (Mexican 4 cheese blend). I followed the directions and it is a perfect light, yummy breakfast.
On a side note- I used ingredients that were stale, in my freezer since the last holiday, etc. Great way to use up food.
Susan Amering says
Just what I was looking for. Sounds great!! Thanks
Patricio says
Tripled the bacon and went bananas with the green onion (at least the whole bunch from the store), made it for a brunch and it was a huge hit. Trying a modified version for camping tomorrow...
Barb says
Can you freeze this ahead of time.
SadieEm says
I wanted this to be wonderful - and it came out of the oven looking absolutely gorgeous. But taste wise, this was just OK. Not fabulous, not horrible. To me, it needs something else...the brioche, cheese and bacon really didn’t do that much for me. If I ever made this again, I might use challah or some other non-sweet bread and add some red bell peppers and onions for more flavor.
Tina Jui says
I really appreciate the feedback. Great idea to add the onions and bell peppers. I think you would really enjoy this Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole, which has both of those ingredients, plus it uses croutons instead of brioche. Hope you give it a try!
Taryn says
I seasoned mine with onion, garlic, white pepper, salt, & used pepper jack & fontina.
Lori Tull says
This is a new family staple for us! It will be this morning's Christmas breakfast!