The ideal casserole for Christmas morning casserole is gammon and cheese and is garnished with cornflakes. Bake it, wake up, and savour it!
Recipe for Christmas Morning Casserole
It’s the perfect Christmas morning breakfast casserole, which is why I’m so excited to share this recipe with you. My friend sent me this recipe a few years ago; her mother used to make it every Christmas morning, so I can’t claim any credit for it. It seemed so simple and ideal for brunch or breakfast on Christmas, in my opinion.
Because it’s so good and the best part is that you can make it the night before and only bake it the following morning, this recipe is a Christmas favourite that has become a ritual for us.
This dish is fantastic because it’s so adaptable; you can use any kind of gammon you like or, for a vegetarian version, omit the gammon and substitute vegetables.
The Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe for Christmas Morning
Easy Breakfast! This simple breakfast casserole dish just takes 15 minutes to prepare and only for basic cupboard items. The next day, all you need to do is put it in the oven and serve.
A Cosy Classic! This amazing delicacy is made with layers of soft bread, savoury ham, sharp cheddar, and seasoned eggs, topped with crunchy corn flakes, and baked till golden brown.
A favourite among the family! Your family will like this dish, which is ideal for Christmas morning or any occasion. The leftovers are fantastic and may be served for brunch or breakfast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sliced bread serves as the casserole’s foundation. Any kind of bread will work, and if you’d like, you can take off the crust.
Sliced Ham: Any kind of ham, even turkey ham, would work, but I chose black forest ham.
Cheddar Cheese: Everything tastes better when cheese is melted. You may use any type of cheddar cheese, but I suggest choosing sharp cheddar.
eggs: Without eggs, a breakfast dish wouldn’t be the same. They also contribute to the dish’s rise and texture.
Black Pepper: If you have freshly ground black pepper on hand, use it.
Dry Mustard: A little mustard brings out the flavours of the eggs and cheddar. Dijon mustard can be used if dry mustard is not available.
The green tips of sliced green onions are called chives. They give it a deliciously subtle onion flavour.
Worcestershire Sauce: Gives the food a little umami and salt.
Hot Sauce: I prefer using a hot sauce, such as Tabasco, to add a little spiciness. However, you may either add more or leave out the spicy sauce.
Whole Milk: While any kind of milk will do, I believe whole milk produces the most appealing texture.
- Butter: Always use unsalted butter to control the amount of added salt. It needs to be melted in this recipe.
- Corn Flakes: Creates the crunchy topping. You can also use Special K, potato chips, or Ritz crackers if you don’t have any cornflakes on hand.
How To Make
Originally intended to be prepared the day before baking and eating, this recipe is straightforward. The dish can, however, be baked the same day. If you want to do this, I advise letting it sit in the refrigerator for an hour prior to baking so that it has time to absorb the egg mixture.
Prep The Pan
To start, get your pan prepped and ready to go. So grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and grease it well with butter or spray it with nonstick cooking spray. It must be greased, or the casserole will stick to the dish.
Make The Base Of The Casserole
To form the base, arrange 5 to 6 slices of bread over the bottom of the baking dish. You will most likely need to cut them to make sure the surface is fully covered. Next, layer the sliced ham over the bread and then top with the shredded cheese.
Now, arrange another 5 to 6 slices of bread over the layer of cheese, making sure to cover it completely, closing any gaps. You’re basically making a ham and cheese sandwich as the base of your casserole.
Whip Together The Egg Mixture
Now, let’s turn this into a breakfast casserole! Add the eggs, black pepper, dry mustard, chives, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to a large bowl and whisk everything together. Next, add the milk and whisk everything together once more until well combined.
Then pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole, making sure to cover every piece of bread.
Store Overnight
Your work is pretty much done! The casserole is ready to go for the next morning. You can now cover the baking dish with aluminium foil and place it in the fridge.
Preheat The Oven
The next morning, preheat your oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). You want to do this before you finish the last few steps of the recipe so that your oven is ready for baking.
Finish The Casserole
Take the casserole out of the fridge and remove the aluminium foil. Now, melt the butter and pour it evenly over the casserole. Then generously sprinkle the top with crushed cornflakes, making sure to cover the entire surface of the casserole.
Bake The Casserole
Once the Christmas morning wife saver is fully assembled, transfer it to the preheated oven and bake it for about 1 hour. When it’s done, it should feel set and be lightly browned on top. Then remove it from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 10 minutes to set. Garnish with more chives before slicing and serving.
What Else Can I Add To This Casserole?
You can pretty much add anything you like. Diced onion, green pepper, or jalapeno are all good choices. Crumbled bacon or sausage are other good ones. But regardless of what you add, I suggest layering it on top of the sliced ham and then topping it with the shredded cheese. Also, keep in mind the amount of egg mixture that you have to cover all the layers.
Storage
This casserole will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To reheat, put the leftovers in the microwave for a few minutes on medium heat or in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 10 minutes.
