The ultimate all-in-one breakfast solution? A buttery make-ahead English Muffin Breakfast Casserole with fluffy eggs, savory ham, and melty Gruyere cheese! As delicious as it is convenient for a holiday brunch or a lazy Sunday breakfast. This stuff is sooo good!

I’ve told you before that breakfast is my favorite meal, but I also like mixing things up. How about some fruit-forward breakfast recipes? Tangy Lemon Raspberry Coffee Cake, Cheesy Breakfast Sliders, oven-baked Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancakes, or fruity-sweet Mixed Berry Breakfast Pizza will fit the bill! (Just in case, I’ll throw in my yummy Tomato & Basil Fritatta.)

white dish with English muffin breakfast casserole

Why Ham & Cheese English Muffin Breakfast Casserole is the “B’s” Knees!

Besides how good, one of the best things about this breakfast bake is that you can make everything ahead of time. Once all the ingredients are mixed into the casserole dish, rather than baking it, cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

  • Breakfast casseroles are a simple way to include all your favorite morning flavors in one dish.
  • Better than fast food, an English muffin casserole epitomizes an “anti-deconstructed” ham, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich.
  • Blessedly quick, easy, and convenient for an overnight recipe.
  • Best way to keep busy mornings hassle-free is with a make-ahead casserole in the fridge waiting for you! 
  • Boundless ingredient variations to make an overnight breakfast bake to your taste.
  • Breeze through your morning routine and still have time for a hearty and delicious breakfast that lasts to lunch.

DYK? Egg strata are casseroles with layers of bread, cheese, meats, and veggies in different combinations. The casserole ingredients are soaked in an egg and milk mixture overnight and baked.

ingredients for English muffin breakfast casserole on a counter

Ingredients For Ham & Cheese Overnight English Muffin Casserole:

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • English Muffins –  split and cut muffins into 1-inch pieces.
  • Diced Ham – or Canadian bacon.
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese – shredded and divided.
  • Gruyere Cheese – shredded and divided.
  • Eggs – You’ll need almost a carton of eggs, but you don’t need to bring them to room temperature since the breakfast casserole goes back into the fridge.
  • Half And Half – You can also use whole milk if needed. 
  • Seasonings – Salt & Pepper, Garlic & Onion Powder.
  • Melted Butter – Shh…the addition of drizzled melted butter heightens the unique breakfast sandwich flavor in an egg bake. 
  • Optional Garnish – Chopped Chives, Scallions, Or Parsley

Chef’s Tip:

Use block cheese for shredding when time permits. Although pre-shredded cheese should work fine in a baked casserole, such as an egg strata recipe, unless specified otherwise. Use a quality shredded cheese brand that isn’t thickly coated with anti-caking additives. These starches can sometimes affect the consistency of a recipe. Typically, block cheese is less expensive per ounce than shredded. Bonus!

How To Make Overnight English Muffin Breakfast Casserole With Ham And Cheese

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Delicious, easy, and time-saving make-ahead egg casserole recipe is a filling and satisfying breakfast; no fuss-no muss. Toast the English muffins on a lined baking sheet, make a strata in a casserole dish, and whisk the egg mixture in a large bowl. Simple ingredients, simple tools, yet rich, complex flavors.

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

  1. TOAST: Evenly toast English muffin pieces and spread half in the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish.
  2. SPRINKLE: Add half of the ham, cheese, and top with the remaining English muffin pieces.
  3. WHISK: Combine eggs, half and half, and seasonings and pour over the ham mixture: use gentle presses to soak the bread.
  4. LAYER: Add the rest of the ham and cheeses over the breakfast casserole, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
  5. BAKE: Take the English muffin egg bake out of the fridge and drizzle with melted butter. Place in preheated oven until golden brown.
  6. SERVE: Remove from oven and let it sit for 10-15 minutes* before serving. Sprinkle with desired garnish and “B-line” to the table!

*Note: While the egg casserole sits, it continues to cook due to residual heat. If needed, loosen the English muffin bake from the edges and cut portions to decrease the heat. Consider plating slices if they are already easy to remove.

serving of breakfast casserole on a white plate with a fork

Make Ahead English Muffin Casserole Recipe Notes & Tips

  • Be sure to read through the entire recipe before starting.
  • The English muffins are toasted in the oven for the prep, and the breakfast casserole is baked the next day.
  • Baking pre-cubed pieces allow more surface to be toasted; you can use a toaster oven or the air-fryer setting.
  • Drizzling butter over the egg casserole before baking helps complete the breakfast sandwich flavors.
  • If you prefer to use bacon or another breakfast meat, it should be pre-cooked, then incorporated into the overnight English muffin casserole. 
  • For a smoother, creamier melt and consistency, shred a block of cheese instead of a pre-shred,
  • You’ll want the semi-soft (young) Gruyere, not aged (hardened), for superior melting.
  • It is easier to shred cold cheese, especially on a box grater or food processor, and avoid a “crumbled” or oily texture.
serving of egg casserole on a wooden spatula

Recipe FAQs

Can a refrigerated overnight breakfast casserole go straight to the oven?

Please, no! Pull your overnight breakfast casserole or egg strata out of the fridge before pre-heating the oven. Warming to room temp for 30 minutes is optimal for even cooking and avoiding cracked and ruined baking dishes. Drastic temperature changes can weaken the best oven bakeware or casserole dishes over time. You may have done it “a million times,” but it only takes once!

How long can an uncooked breakfast casserole stay in the refrigerator?

Best practice: Uncooked egg bakes are perishable, so they must be refrigerated and cooked within a day of being put together.

Why do I need to refrigerate a breakfast casserole overnight?

Refrigerating a breakfast casserole for a few hours, or overnight, allows the flavors to mingle and the liquid ingredients to be absorbed into the bread. Resulting in a more flavorful casserole.

egg casserole on plates and in a white baking dish with a wood spatula

How To Store English Muffin Breakfast Casserole

Refrigerate/Leftovers

Leftover egg casserole must be refrigerated within two hours. When refrigerated and tightly wrapped, you have three to four days to enjoy this dish.

Freeze

According to the USDA, make-ahead egg casseroles can be frozen only after cooking. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheat

Cover in foil and heat in the oven at 350°F until hot. If you need to add a bit of moisture, sprinkle with milk or water before heating.

nglish muffin breakfast casserole in a baking dish with one serving missing.

Serving Suggestions

egg casserole on a white plate with a casserole dish and orange juice in the back ground

Variations and Substitutions

Veggies, meats, and cheese, all to your taste. Create your own overnight breakfast bake with English muffins. This easy and versatile egg casserole can be tailored to suit your family’s diet, just like a good quiche recipe!

  • Try a sprinkle of sweet or smoked paprika on top.
  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper if you want a little kick.
  • Choose your favorite melty cheese.
  • Use up odds and ends from the dairy drawer.
  • Add sauteed onion and/or sliced mini-sweet peppers for a savory note.
  • Sauteed spinach and mushrooms are also a nice add-in for an extra nutrition boost.
  • Make your breakfast casserole vegetarian and leave out the meat.
  • Cut fat in this English muffin breakfast casserole by using 2% milk and reducing the cheese content.
white dish with English muffin breakfast casserole

English Muffin Breakfast Casserole

Yield: 10 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Minimum Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes

The ultimate all-in-one breakfast solution? A buttery make-ahead English Muffin Breakfast Casserole with fluffy eggs, savory ham, and melty Gruyere cheese! As delicious as it is convenient for a holiday brunch or a lazy Sunday breakfast.

Ingredients

  • 6 English muffins, split and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 ½ cups diced ham (or Canadian bacon)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese, divided
  • 10 eggs
  • 2 cups half and half (or whole milk)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • Optional garnish: chopped chives, scallions or parsley

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9x13-inch (3 quart) baking dish with butter or baking spray. Preheat oven to 425° F.
  2. Place the English muffin pieces on a parchment paper lined sheet pan in a single layer. Place in preheated oven for 12 minutes to toast. Remove from oven and turn oven off.
  3. Spread half of the English muffin cubes in the bottom of the baking dish; add half of the ham and sprinkle ½ cup of each type of cheese; top with remaining English muffin pieces.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, half and half, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder until well combined. Pour over English muffin mixture, using a fork or spoon to press down slightly to make sure all of the bread is soaked.
  5. Sprinkle with remaining half of the ham and cheese onto the casserole. Seal tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. 
  6. When ready to serve: Heat oven to 350° F. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats. Uncover casserole and drizzle melted butter on top. Bake 35-45 minutes until golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.
  7. Remove casserole from oven and let sit 10-15 minutes to set up before serving. If desired, sprinkle with chives, scallions or parsley.

Notes

  • Swap ham for Canadian bacon, regular bacon or browned ground sausage.
  • Choose your favorite cheese
  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper if you want a little kick.
  • Try a sprinkle of paprika on topThe melted butter on top before baking helps complete the breakfast sandwich flavors in this egg casserole.
  • STORING:

    Leftover egg casserole must be refrigerated within two hours. When refrigerated and tightly wrapped, you have three to four days to enjoy this dish.

    Freeze - 

    According to the USDA, make-ahead egg casseroles can be frozen only after cooking. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months.

    Reheat - 

    Cover in foil and heat in the oven at 350 until hot. If you need to add a bit of moisture, sprinkle with milk or water before heating.

      Nutrition Information:
      Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
      Amount Per Serving: Calories: 480Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 284mgSodium: 992mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 27g

      Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

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