Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

This baked Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole is the perfect breakfast for large groups or to meal prep for the week ahead! It's made with potatoes, peppers, eggs, ham, green onions and milk. This hearty breakfast has such simple ingredients but packs a ton of nutrition and taste into every serving.

Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole Recipe

The very first time I had this egg casserole, I was in a bit of an awkward situation.

You see, growing up, I did not like eggs in basically any form. I know it might sound crazy, but I grew up with a huge distaste for them. It turns out that I just hadn't had eggs in a form that I liked.

Back to the first time having this casserole. We were visiting family and they prepared a delicious spread for breakfast and the star of the show was a ham & cheese breakfast casserole.

Of course, when someone doesn't know you don't eat something, you're kind of put in a pickle, so I decided to just go for it.

Well, can I just tell y'all how glad I am that I tried this casserole? I found myself not only eating the first helping but a second as well! I had to get the recipe.

Love breakfast casserole? Don't miss this Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole or this Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole.

Why you'll love this recipe

Make this ahead of time and have a hot breakfast ready to go all week or make this for a crowd — either way, you're sure to love it!

Everyone in your family will adore this easy breakfast casserole recipe with ham and cheese.

• This recipe makes a big batch — perfect for big family brunches!
• This easy egg casserole is an absolute cinch to make. You can put it together in about 10 minutes and it's on the table in under an hour. Kids will love helping with this one!
• It's a great way to use up leftover and frozen veggies.
• Made without bread, it's gluten-free and can be made dairy-free and vegetarian as well.

This casserole has turned into a number one breakfast item in our house. There were a few weeks of time during my second pregnancy when we made them weekly! It was perfect for my son and I to have breakfast quickly and for Steven to be able to eat before breakfast too! 

Breakfast casserole vs. frittata

Frittatas and breakfast casseroles are both basically egg pies filled with goodies like meats and veggies, but there are some differences.

An Italian dish, frittatas are kind of like giant round omelets, according to Thrillist. They are usually made in a cast-iron pan or skillet.

Similar to a crustless quiche, the eggs in a frittata are well-beaten well with milk and cream to create a more custard-like finish, then mixed with fillings and baked. They are light and fluffy and taste best fresh.

Breakfast casseroles, on the other hand, are much heartier. Usually served in a casserole dish, the egg mixture is usually combined poured over layers of meat and veggie fillings, then poured over a base of starches like potatoes or bread. Unlike frittatas, they can be made ahead of time.

There's also a type of egg casserole known as a strata, which is an egg casserole poured over cubed bread to create a savory type of bread pudding. (The recipe below is definitely not a strata, as there's no bread — just potatoes!)

Ingredients

To make this ham breakfast casserole, here's what you will need:

• eggs
• evaporated milk
• milk (any milk of your choice is fine: whole, skim, 2%, etc.)
• bell pepper
• cubed or diced ham
• onion
• breakfast potato cubes (prepackaged or pre-cooked if using fresh)
• green onion
• salt and pepper
• shredded cheddar cheese

You can use plant-based milk like almond milk and skip the cheese for a dairy-free version.

Feel free to add any veggies you have in the fridge, such as mushrooms, broccoli, cherry tomatoes or spinach.

How to make Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Putting together a breakfast casserole is quick and easy, and it'll be on the table in under an hour.

First, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a casserole dish or disposable pan.

Combine ingredients (except cheese) in bowl. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan (or 2 9x9 pans). Bake for 30 minutes.

Add shredded cheese to top and cook for another 15-20 minutes until eggs are fully cooked. Slice into 12 slices and enjoy!

How to Share Breakfast Casserole

Bring this recipe to friends who need a home-cooked meal. You can make it in a disposable pan, which can be frozen if needed.

I wanted to include this recipe in my maternity series about bringing meals to others because this casserole would be absolutely perfect for bringing to a new mama. In the first few weeks of motherhood, breakfast is often the hardest meal. You wake up starving after nursing your newborn all night and shove a bowl of cold cereal down when you really need a hot breakfast to fill you up.

So I think it's safe to say you'd make a new mama's day by bringing her this casserole and giving her that hot breakfast she deserves but has no energy to make!

Check out my full post on The Best Recipes to Bring to Others. 

More savory breakfast recipes

• Breakfast Burrito Bowls
• Frittata Egg Muffins
• Egg Muffins with Sausage and Kale
• Egg Muffins with Turkey and Broccoli
• Mashed Potato Chorizo Breakfast Tacos

If you make and love this recipe, please leave a ★★★★★ review below! It means so much to me when you try my recipes, and I'd love to know how it goes. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions.