This Baked Cheesy Egg Casserole is perfect for a crowd or a breakfast celebration. Filled with ham and three types of cheese.
Breakfast or brunch
This cheesy baked egg casserole is perfect for breakfast or brunch any time of the year. But it's also perfect for Christmas morning.
These cheesy baked eggs can be assembled the day before and then just popped in the oven in the morning to bake.
I usually serve this with homemade cinnamon rolls or cranberry sweet rolls, fresh fruit and breakfast sausage in the oven.
This egg casserole serves eight people, but it's easy to double if you have a crowd. Leftovers are perfect for late risers or even as an early lunch.
This recipe came from a friend many years ago. The original name of this dish was Cottage Baked Eggs. My friend received the recipe from a bed and breakfast, but the dish wasn't named for some cute little cottage. Nope, it was named for the secret ingredient in this dish!
This dish got its original name from the cottage cheese that is added! This dish is delicious. The cottage cheese disappears when baked and just leaves an extra creaminess.
Want to take this dish to the next level? Try making your own low sodium cottage cheese!
Key ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Eggs - I use our farm fresh eggs, but any eggs will work. You can also use a low-cholesterol egg mix, like Egg Beaters
- Cheese - Three types of cheese - cottage cheese, cheddar cheese and Monterey jack cheese
- Ham - You could also use cooked bacon or cooked sausage or omit the meat altogether
- Bell Peppers - I love using red bell pepper, but this is up to you. Select any color bell pepper. You could also add some roasted chile peppers too!
Variations
Add a variety of veggies
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Sauteed onions
- Thinly sliced spinach
Change up the cheese
- Swiss
- Gouda
- Pepper Jack
- Fontina
Meat
- Crumbled bacon
- Cooked breakfast sausage
- Or leave out the meat and make it vegetarian
To make ahead of time
If you are preparing this dish the night before, simply mix everything together except the butter. Cover and refrigerate.
In the morning, melt the butter in your baking dish and add the egg mixture. You may need to increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes
Keep an eye on your casserole. You don't want it overcooked. I used a deep pie dish and mine took 50 minutes. If your dish isn't as deep, decrease your time.
More great breakfast recipes
- Ham and Spinach Quiche
- Hash Brown Casserole
- Ham and Cheese Strata
- Denver Scramble
- Oatmeal Banana Muffins
- Mini Frittatas
- Cranberry Sweet Rolls
- Puff Pastry Baked Eggs
- Cream Cheese Danish
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my breakfast recipes!
Cheesy Baked Egg Casserole
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Whisk
- Deep Dish Pie Plate
Ingredients
- 10 eggs
- ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups diced ham
- 1 ¾ cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 whole red bell pepper (diced)
- ¼ cup butter (salted)
Instructions
- Whisk eggs in a large bowl.10 eggs
- Add flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. Mix½ cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Stir in cottage cheese, shredded cheeses, ham and bell pepper.2 cups diced ham, 1 ¾ cup cottage cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1 whole red bell pepper, 1 cup Monterey jack cheese
- Place butter in a 2 quart baking dish. Place dish in preheated 350 degree oven until butter is melted.¼ cup butter
- Remove from oven. Swirl butter around bottom and sides of dish.
- Pour in egg mixture.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Baking time may vary depending on size of baking dish and the amount of added veggies. Check for doneness by giving baking dish a gentle giggle or by inserting a butter knife into the center. Knife should not have any raw egg mixture when done.
- This dish can be made ahead of time up to mixing all ingredients together. Cover mixing bowl and store in refrigerator. When ready to bake proceed with melting butter in baking dish. This may increase baking time by 10 minutes.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
Crystal Eastham says
My friend is gluten free, can you use an alternative?
Kathy says
Hi Crystal,
I have only made this recipe as written so I don't know how a 1:1 gluten free flour would be instead of regular all-purpose flour.
Kathy
Anita says
You can try using corn starch. It's gluten free. But use half the amount. The recipe says 1/2 cup flour so use 1/4 cup corn starch. Can't say how it'll affect the recipe though so it'll be an experiment.
Kathy Fazchas says
Hi Kathy.
When you make this, what size pan do you use? Is a 9x13 to big?
Kathy says
Hi,
I use a smaller sized dish - usually something around a 2 quart size. I use a deep dish 9 inch pie plate or an 8x11 pan. If you use a 9x13, watch the baking time, because it will cook quicker.
Enjoy!!!
Aunt Lizzie says
Can you freeze this? Can you make ahead for 1-2 days in the refrigerator?
Kathy says
You can make this ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator. You will need to increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes since everything will be cold. I have not tried freezing this before.
Enjoy! 🙂
Kentisha Harrison says
Hi Kathy,
I love cottage cheese but the hubs does not. Can you taste the cottage cheese or does it just make it creamier and cheesy? I would hate to omit.
Thanks,
Tisha
Kathy says
Hi! I think it disappears into the eggs. I don't notice it, but then I do love cottage cheese! 🙂 Try using a small curd cottage cheese.
Shalan says
Blend the cottage cheese first before adding it. He will never know the difference.
Kathy says
Great tip! Thanks! 🙂
Kathy says
Looks delicious, and easy! Thanks so much for sharing, Kathy!
Kathy says
It is a family favorite!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Looks scrumptious Kathy! Hope you had a very Merry Christmas. I can still make this for New Year's. Now that Hubby is home all week I need food every morning for the whole family. I'm usually freaked out by cottage cheese but will take your advice as to the creaminess and try it!
Kathy says
People seem to either love or hate cottage cheese! Luckily in this dish, everyone can love it!
Adina says
This sounds like a great holiday breakfast. And I love the use of cottage cheese, I always have some in the fridge.
Kathy says
It's a perfect use for cottage cheese!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
This looks perfect for the crowd of kids who are still sleeping upstairs - I think I still have time! Happy new year, Manali!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
Whoops - I meant Kathy...I was reading Manali's comment above and writing my message to you at the same time! Happy New Year to us all! 🙂
Kathy says
Too funny! Happy New Year to you too!!!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
I love easy recipes like this, sounds yum! Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas to you & your family! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
I totally would have pre-judged this dish based on the cottage cheese addition. I'm not a cottage cheese fan, but this looks like a super delicious casserole. (Hey, casseroles are where I first starting liking mushrooms, too...so I can be flexible!) Hope you and the family have an awesome Christmas, Kathy! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Yaahhhss to a big queen sized breakfast on Christmas morning! Your cinnamon rolls looked fantastic and this cheesy egg casserole would be a great addition! I happen to LOVE cottage cheese, so I am seriously digging the fact that you used it in here! I bet it makes this egg casserole out of this world tasty! Cheers, my friend and warm wishes to a very Merry Christmas!!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Breakfast casseroles are perfect for Christmas morning! This looks delicious even if there is cottage cheese in there. This along with your cinnamon rolls will make a fabulous and easy breakfast!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Oh my! Cheese and eggs are a match made in heaven! I love the idea of a make-ahead breakfast for Christmas morning! This fits the bill, splendidly!