Overnight Egg Casserole

This overnight egg casserole recipe is loaded with all of your favorite breakfast ingredients like eggs, sausage, and cheese. It's the perfect make-ahead breakfast that will feed a crowd. And, it's so easy to customize with your favorite vegetables or add-ins.

Craving a delicious breakfast but don't have time to cook? This is the perfect solution. You can make it ahead of time and enjoy a hot, homemade breakfast without any of the hassles.

This casserole is packed with flavor and will leave you feeling satisfied all morning long. Plus, it's a great way to use up any leftover vegetables or meat that you might have in your fridge.

small round white plate of overnight egg casserole on marble table

What Goes With Overnight Egg Casserole?

If you want to serve this all by itself, you definitely can. However, we like to serve it as part of a breakfast or brunch spread with other options. Sides of fresh fruit, yogurt, or granola are popular at our table, but I also like things like this brioche French toast casserole or the cinnamon roll casserole as a nice sweet side.

image looking down on egg casserole in white baking dish

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
½ small green bell pepper
½ small white onion
2 garlic cloves
1 pound ground beef (500g)
1 ½ teaspoon salt (9g)
1 teaspoon black pepper (3g)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (3g)
6 eggs
1 cup milk (250ml)
1 loaf ciabatta bread
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (180g)

Note: You can use any crusty bread in this recipe, but ciabatta is a personal favorite.

white bowls and ramekins filled with ingredients for breakfast bake

Kitchen Tools You'll Need

spoon scooping a serving of egg casserole out of a baking dish

How to Make an Overnight Egg Casserole

Start by preparing your baking dish with a bit of non-stick spray or greasing it with butter. I used a 10" oval baking dish, but you can use any larger baking dish you have on hand.

Then, you will cut the ciabatta into 1" chunks. I used a loaf of bread, but you may need to use 4 to 6 rolls, depending upon what is available.

Now, in a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onions and bell peppers, then cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.

skillet of peppers and onions on hot plate

Next, add the ground beef and minced garlic. Cook this for another 8 to 10 minutes while you stir on occasion and break up the meat as it cooks. Season this with half of the salt, pepper, and paprika. Save the rest for the eggs. When the meat is cooked through and no longer pink, set it aside.

raw ground meat in skillet with cooked peppers and onions

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and the rest of the salt, pepper, and paprika.

Spread the ciabatta cubes over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then cover with the meat mixture.

sausage being added to casserole with bred

Pour the beaten eggs over the top of the top, then sprinkle the top with shredded cheese.

Cover the casserole with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and remove the casserole from the refrigerator and uncover it.

white baking dish of cooked overnight egg casserole on table

Cover the dish with aluminum foil, then bake for 30-minutes. Remove the foil after 30 minutes, and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the eggs are set in the center.

square of overnight egg casserole on white plate

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does Egg Casserole Have to Sit Overnight?

There are a few reasons why this casserole benefits from sitting in the fridge overnight. First, it gives the flavors a chance to meld and develop. This results in a more flavorful and satisfying dish.

Second, letting the casserole sit overnight allows the eggs to firm up slightly, which helps the casserole hold together when you slice and serve it.

Another reason the casserole should be in the refrigerator overnight is that it gives the bread cubes time to soak up the custard.

And finally, making this casserole ahead of time means that you can enjoy a hot breakfast without any last-minute stress. Simply pop it in the oven in the morning and relax while it bakes.

How Long Can You Keep Egg Casserole In The Refrigerator Before Baking?

You can keep this casserole in the fridge for up to two days before baking. Just be sure to tightly cover the dish so that it doesn't dry out.

When you're ready to bake, simply remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help it cook evenly.

Can You Freeze Overnight Egg Casserole?

Yes, this casserole can be frozen before or after baking. If you're freezing it before baking, tightly wrap the dish with plastic wrap, and freeze it for up to two months. When you're ready to bake, thaw the casserole in the fridge overnight, and then follow the recipe directions.

If you have leftovers that you want to freeze, simply wrap them tightly and store them in the freezer for up to two months. When you're ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.

How Do I Make My Egg Casserole Not Watery?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your egg casserole from turning out watery. First, make sure you're using fresh eggs. Older eggs are more likely to cause your casserole to be watery.

Second, don't over-mix the ingredients. Stir just until everything is combined - too much stirring will make the casserole watery.

And finally, be careful not to overcook the casserole. Bake it until it's just set in the center - any longer and it will be watery.

If your casserole does turn out watery, there's an easy fix. Simply spoon off any liquid that has accumulated on the top of the casserole. Then, bake the casserole for an additional 5-10 minutes until it's firm and no longer watery.

wire cooling rack beneath baking dish of egg casserole

More Breakfast Casseroles

Breakfast is our favorite part of the day and there are tons of great sweet and savory options to add to your menu. Below are some more of our personal favorite casseroles. Make sure that you bookmark these, print out the recipes, or pin them to Pinterest to make soon.

Yield: 8

Overnight Egg Casserole

A simple overnight egg casserole is loaded with rich flavors of onion, sausage, cheese, and eggs in every bite! You are sure to love how easy this is to make!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
½ small green bell pepper, chopped
½ small white onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground beef (500g)
1 ½ teaspoon salt, divided (9g)
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided (3g)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, divided (3g)
6 eggs
1 cup milk (250ml)
1 loaf ciabatta bread, cut into 1" cubes
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (180g)

Instructions

Spray a 10" oval baking dish (or preferred larger dish) with non-stick spray and set it aside.
In a large skillet, add olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onion and bell pepper and saute, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes.
To the skillet, add the ground beef and minced garlic. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring regularly and breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in ½ of the salt, black pepper, and paprika. Once the meat is cooked through and no longer pink, set this aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and the remaining salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Spread the ciabatta cubes over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then cover with the meat mixture.
Pour the beaten eggs over the top of the top, then sprinkle the top with shredded cheese.
Cover the casserole with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and remove the casserole from the refrigerator and uncover it.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil, then bake for 30-minutes. Remove the foil after 30 minutes, and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the eggs are set in the center.