Description
Prep this cheesy casserole the night before. Weekend brunch perfection!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lbs (454 g) loaf of French bread, cut into 1” cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 leek, white and light green parts sliced and chopped
- 1 (142 g) 5-ounce bag baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 227 g (8 ounces) diced ham
- 227 g (8 ounces) Gruyere cheese, shredded
- 8 large eggs
- 2 3/4 cups (660 ml) milk
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13” baking dish generously with cooking spray.
- Sauté the Leeks and Spinach: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook until they soften, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the chopped spinach, cooking until it wilts. Remove skillet from heat.
- Layer the Casserole: Place half of the bread cubes at the bottom of the baking dish. Layer with half of the diced ham, half of the leek/spinach mix, and half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining bread, ham, leek/spinach, and cheese.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the baking dish.
- Set to Marinate: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and bread to soak up the egg mixture.
- Pre-Bake Steps: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes. The top should turn a lovely golden brown, and the casserole should be cooked thoroughly.
- Serving: Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Gruyere cheese instead of pre-shredded.
- To make ahead, assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and bake when ready.
- Substitute Challah bread for French bread for a sweeter, softer casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven-Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 200