Picture this: You wake up on a lazy weekend morning, the sun is shining, and the aroma of warm, cheesy goodness fills the air. You didn’t spend hours in the kitchen, yet it feels like you’ve just whipped up the most decadent brunch spread imaginable. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not! Let me introduce you to the Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole, a make-ahead breakfast dish that combines everything you love about a classic Eggs Benedict – eggs, smoked ham or Canadian bacon, cheddar cheese, and that rich, creamy hollandaise sauce – but with a fraction of the effort. You’ll be serving up gourmet brunch vibes without breaking a sweat.
Let’s dive into how you can create this breakfast masterpiece that will make your family or guests think you’ve spent all day in the kitchen (when, in reality, you’ve barely lifted a finger). You can prepare the casserole the night before and have it ready to bake the next morning, leaving you with more time to sip your coffee and enjoy the good stuff.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Overnight casseroles are a game-changer, especially when they come together as easily as this one does. What’s great about this recipe is that you get all the flavors of a traditional Eggs Benedict without any of the time-consuming prep work. The crispy English muffin cubes soak up the creamy, custardy goodness overnight, so they cook to perfection when you pop them in the oven.
The beauty of this dish is that you can customize it however you want – use smoked ham or Canadian bacon, switch up the cheese, or even throw in some sautéed veggies if you’re feeling adventurous. The versatility is endless. And let’s not forget that hollandaise sauce. Oh, the hollandaise. It’s creamy, buttery, and adds that indulgent touch that really brings this casserole to the next level. You can either make it from scratch using a blender (which is surprisingly easy) or take a shortcut with a packet mix. Either way, you’ll end up with a dish that’s nothing short of spectacular.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
To get started, gather up these simple ingredients:
- English Muffins (12 oz package) – You’ll need to cut these into cubes. If you have the time, let them dry out overnight or give them a quick toast under the broiler. This step helps them soak up all the delicious custard mixture.
- Smoked Ham or Canadian Bacon (1 lb) – Cut into cubes. You can use whichever one you prefer. Smoked ham gives it a nice depth of flavor, while Canadian bacon keeps it a bit lighter.
- Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (2 cups, divided) – Because you can never have too much cheese, right? Sharp cheddar adds that tangy kick that perfectly balances the richness of the eggs and hollandaise.
- Half and Half (2 cups) – This is your base for the custard mixture. It’s a blend of cream and milk, so it’s super creamy without being overly heavy.
- Eggs (8 large) – These are what bind everything together. Make sure they’re whisked well into the half and half mixture.
- Seasonings: Salt (1 tsp), freshly ground black pepper (1 tsp), ground mustard (1 tsp), granulated garlic (1/2 tsp), onion powder (1/2 tsp), dry thyme (1/4 tsp), and ground nutmeg (1/8 tsp) – These simple spices will take your casserole from basic to flavor-packed.
- Butter (2 Tbsp, cubed) – For dotting on top before baking. It helps achieve that golden, crispy top layer.
- Paprika – A sprinkle of paprika adds a pop of color and a mild smokiness.
- Hollandaise Sauce – You can make your own easy blender hollandaise (trust me, it’s so simple), or you can use a packet of hollandaise sauce mix if you’re looking for a shortcut. Either way, you’ll want this rich, buttery sauce drizzled all over your casserole.
- Chopped Fresh Chives or Parsley – For garnish. It adds a nice fresh touch and a pop of color to the finished dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole
1. Prepare the English Muffins
Start by cutting the English muffins into 1-inch cubes. You can leave them on the counter overnight to dry out a bit, or if you’re in a rush, pop them under the broiler for a few minutes to get them nice and crispy. The key here is to make sure they’re not too soft, or they won’t soak up the custard mixture as well.
2. Assemble the Casserole
Now, grab your baking dish – a 2-quart, 11×7-inch deep baking dish works perfectly for this recipe. Give it a quick spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Start layering the casserole by placing half of the cubed English muffins at the bottom of the dish. Then, top them with half of the cubed ham or Canadian bacon, and sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over that. Repeat the layers, but make sure to finish with a generous layer of cheese on top.
3. Make the Custard Mixture
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the half and half, eggs, salt, pepper, mustard, garlic, onion powder, thyme, and nutmeg. You want everything to be fully combined so that the eggs and spices blend into the cream. Once that’s done, pour the custard evenly over the layered English muffin mixture in the baking dish.
4. Press the Muffins Into the Custard
Now, take the back of a spoon and gently press down on the muffin cubes. You want to make sure they’re submerged in the custard mixture so that each piece gets soaked and soft. After that, cover the dish with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge overnight. Letting it chill overnight is what gives this casserole its deliciously rich, custardy texture.
5. Bake the Casserole
The next morning, take the casserole out of the fridge about 15 minutes before baking to take the chill off. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Once the oven is ready, dot the top of the casserole with cubes of butter and sprinkle it with paprika for that extra flavor and color. Remove the plastic wrap, and cover the casserole with foil to keep it moist as it bakes.
Bake it covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes. The casserole should be golden on top and fully set in the center. You can test it by inserting a knife into the center – if it comes out clean, you’re good to go!
6. Make the Hollandaise Sauce
While the casserole is baking, make the hollandaise sauce. You can either use a packet of hollandaise sauce mix or whip up a homemade version using a blender. If you’re going for the homemade version, it’s super easy – just blend egg yolks, lemon juice, and melted butter until smooth, then season with salt and a pinch of cayenne. Pour it over your casserole just before serving, or serve it on the side for everyone to drizzle to their heart’s content.
7. Garnish and Serve
Once the casserole is out of the oven, let it stand for about 5 minutes before serving. This will give everything a chance to set. Then, drizzle the warm hollandaise sauce generously over the top. Finish it off with a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives or parsley for that final touch of freshness.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole
- Use Stale English Muffins: If you’ve got a couple of extra English muffins lying around, use those. Stale muffins soak up the custard even better, which makes for a more flavorful casserole.
- Experiment with Cheese: While sharp white cheddar is the classic choice, feel free to experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère, mozzarella, or even a blend of your favorites.
- Make it Veggie-Friendly: Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or even a handful of arugula for a lighter, veggie-packed version of this casserole.
- Make Extra Hollandaise: Trust me, you’ll want extra hollandaise. It’s so good that you’ll find yourself spooning it over everything, not just the casserole.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back for More
This Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole is the kind of dish that makes people ask for seconds (or thirds). It’s comforting, indulgent, and packed with flavor. Plus, the best part is that you can prep it the night before, making it the perfect dish for busy mornings or when you have friends and family over. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday brunch, a weekend gathering, or just because, it’s sure to be a hit.
And let’s be real – when you can make something this delicious with so little effort, it feels like you’ve unlocked a secret. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy the compliments that are sure to come your way. Happy cooking!
