Night-before Cheddar Bagel Casserole 🥯🧀
Overview:
If you find yourself with some leftover bagels from the week, fret not! This delightful recipe for a Night-before Cheddar Bagel Casserole is here to save the day. Perfect for a lazy Saturday night, this casserole sets up overnight in the fridge, ready to be baked to golden perfection the next morning for a scrumptious Sunday brunch. It’s a wonderful blend of flavors and textures, marrying the chewiness of bagels with the savory goodness of ham, peppers, onions, and of course, oodles of cheddar cheese. 🌟
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6-8 servings (depending on appetite)
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4 | Bagels |
| 1 1/2 | Cups diced ham |
| 1/2 | Red bell pepper, diced |
| 1/2 | Green bell pepper, diced |
| 1/2 | Cup chopped green onion |
| 2 | Cups shredded cheddar cheese |
| 3 | Tablespoons butter |
| 9 | Large eggs |
| 2 1/2 | Cups half-and-half cream |
| 2 | Cups milk |
| 1 | Tablespoon Dijon mustard |
| 4 | Pinches of salt |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Bagels:
- Start by cutting the bagels vertically in half.
- Then, turn each half of the bagel on its side and cut into 6 thin pieces.
-
Layer the Casserole:
- Grease a 13 x 9-inch shallow baking dish.
- Arrange half of the bagel slices in the greased dish.
- In a bowl, combine the diced ham, red and green bell peppers, chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Sprinkle this flavorful mixture over the layer of bagel slices.
- Butter one side of the remaining bagel slices, then arrange them over the cheese mixture, butter side up.
-
Prepare the Egg Mixture:
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half cream, milk, Dijon mustard, and salt until well combined.
-
Assemble and Refrigerate:
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bagel layers in the baking dish.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
-
Bake the Casserole:
- The following morning, remove the casserole from the fridge about one hour before baking to bring it to room temperature.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for approximately one hour, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- If you notice the top browning too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with foil to prevent over-browning.
- For an extra cheesy touch, you can top the casserole with cheese slices during the last 15 minutes of baking and continue baking until melted and bubbly.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
- Slice into generous portions and serve hot, savoring each bite of this comforting and indulgent brunch dish.
Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch gathering or simply looking for a satisfying meal to enjoy with your loved ones, this Night-before Cheddar Bagel Casserole is sure to impress. With its make-ahead convenience and irresistible flavors, it’s bound to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire. So, gather your ingredients, prepare this delightful dish, and get ready to savor the cozy comforts of homemade goodness.
