Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole is baked with cubes of French bread, turkey, ham, cheese, and an egg mixture and served with confectioners’ sugar and preserves. If this sounds good to you, be sure to also try my Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole.
Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole
A Monte Cristo is a sweet and savory sandwich filled with deli meat, coated in batter, and deep-fried. It is also served with raspberry preserves for dipping. (And I just happen to have the BEST recipe!) This breakfast casserole is also layered with bread, ham, turkey, and cheese, but also has eggs added to the mix and is baked, not deep-fried. Like the sandwich, the casserole also has the added sweet flavor with confectioners’ sugar sprinkled on top of the casserole and a side of raspberry preserves.
Casserole Ingredients
Bread: A loaf of French bread, cut into cubes, works great in this recipe. (You could also use another variety of rustic bread.) I cut the bread into quarter-inch cubes, but you can make them bigger (or smaller) if you prefer.
Meats: Both turkey and honey ham are used in this recipe. This would be the perfect dish to make if you need to use up your leftover turkey and ham from the holidays!
Cheese: Swiss cheese and mild cheddar cheese were the two kinds of cheeses I layered in the casserole. You could definitely use your favorite kinds.
Toppings: To give the casserole its sweetness, confectioners’ sugar is sprinkled on top of it after it has been baked. Then, raspberry preserves are served for even more sweetness. Keep in mind that you (and/or your guests) may also love the casserole without any added toppings (all savory). It’s easy to leave that out if you are just craving a savory egg bake.
How to Make Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole
This Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole is easy to make, but be aware that it does need to chill in the refrigerator overnight before being baked. To get the casserole started, add a layer of cubed bread to the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Next, add a layer of turkey, ham, and both kinds of cheese.
Add a second layer of bread, turkey, ham, and cheeses. Finally, pour the mixture of eggs and milk over the layers. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight. When ready, bake the casserole for about 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is not jiggly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest a few minutes before sprinkling the confectioner’s sugar on top. Serve with a side of raspberry preserves. Again, if you don’t want the added sweetness, simply serve the casserole with both the confectioners’ sugar and preserves on the side for guests to add on their own.
Refrigerate any leftovers within two hours of removing the casserole from the oven. Cover the casserole and store it for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Read on for instructions on freezing a baked breakfast casserole.
Can I Make this Breakfast Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes! This casserole can be baked and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. If freezing it, I recommend using a disposable baking dish (like an aluminum foil dish) so you won’t miss a baking dish you may use for other recipes. Once the casserole is fully cooked, let it come to room temperature.
After the casserole has come to room temperature, cover it and let it chill in the refrigerator for a few hours, up to overnight. Finally, place the breakfast casserole in the freezer. Label and date the packaging. When ready to enjoy, let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Warm it up in the microwave or oven.
More Breakfast Recipes
Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf (16 ounces) French bread, cut into ¼-inch cubes, divided
- ½ pound turkey, cut into ¼-inch cubes, divided (approximately 1½ cups)
- ½ pound ham, cut into ¼-inch cubes, divided (approximately 1½ cups)
- 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
Toppings
- confectioners' sugar, for dusting
- raspberry preserves
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- To the bottom of the prepared baking dish, add about half of the bread cubes.
- Top the bread with half the amount of turkey (about ¾ cup), half the ham (about ¾ cup), ½ cup of Swiss cheese, and ½ cup of cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining bread, turkey, ham, and both kinds of cheese.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs and milk. Whisk until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread, meat, and cheese layers.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to overnight.
- When ready, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Remove the plastic wrap and bake 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the casserole doesn't jiggle.
- Let the casserole cool slightly. Then, top with confectioners' sugar.
- Serve warm with raspberry preserves.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
Oh my gawd this is yummy😍😍😍 I did make a few alterations due to cost/availability/personal preference (but the original recipe is perfect as is, no shade to the author.) Switched the bread for croissants and I used pre cut ham and turkey. I used all Swiss as well. Made it for Easter brunch and it was a hit! Served with raspberry preserves and maple syrup.
Yummy, have cooked this several times. Also freezes well. One recommendation is add conf sugar as serving otherwise cs will melt on top of dish.
I made this following the recipe 100%! I did put it in 2 smaller pans and gave one to my daughter and her family. I LOVED this casserole and will for sure make it again (and probably again!) Can’t wait for my grandkids to try it for breakfast tomorrow. The raspberry preserves adds a special touch. Thanks for this recipe!
love this, have made your recipe and then moved onto subbing different cheeses and meat mixtures, but on any of them the raspberry preserves are a must! give the dish a wholle new level of flavor. TY
Hi I’m a diabetic can u give me some recipes
I’ve done something like this with English muffins, cheese, breakfast sausage, and a can of mixed vegetables. With a variety of seasoning. Swerve with cottage cheese
can do without sugar
I can’t wait to try this. Love a good Monte Christo. Checking if you have a recipe book. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes. Thanks, Bev
Hello, I am not much for sweets. What could I top this delicious looking dish with, beside sweet stuff. I am wondering about sour cream and salsa, but that doesn’t sound quite right either. Help .
You could absolutely serve with some salsa, sour cream and chopped avocado’s on the side. I offer these toppings to guests with any breakfast casserole I serve….they go good with eggs and meat.
However, if you’ve never made this particular recipe as written I’d try it as written first. You don’t really need any topping but offering the powered sugar and raspberry jam enhances this particular casserole (and it’s not overly sweet). My picky grandkids won’t eat any other breakfast casserole but this one!!!
SO good – made it yesterday for myself. I used to make gourmet meals but at 66 I’ve decided if it has LOTS of ingredients I lose interest. This one is easy and good! I love the sammie, the casserole is outstanding!. Thanks for posting this recipe
Hi.Can I cook this in my air fryer?If so,at what temp and how long?
Thanks!
Do you typically make dishes in your Air Fryer that include pouring raw eggs over the top of your ingredients?
Some questions should really be considered for a moment or two prior to sharing them with the world…
Hi, can this be frozen?
If you read what she has written, there are actually instructions for freezing. If you have a question about one of her recipes – read it first before asking, she usually tries to address every question people ask to prevent people from asking redundant questions.
I just discovered your website and all your recipes sound so good!! You are so cute in those photos and I
can’t imagine living in that beautiful area!! I live N. of Dallas, Texas!
I’m 85 years old and I do not cook much but I definitely want to try some of your recipes!
I need to print a recipe out so It is close! Is that possible??
Thank you for sharing your beautiful life with others!
Yes Doy, there is a print link just above the ingredients list.
My favorite