This Monte Cristo fashion Breakfast Casserole features chopped chunks of ham and melted Swiss cheese. It deconstructs the now traditional sandwich and reassembles it in a baking dish making for an virtually delicious, smooth, multi function breakfast or brunch bake.

Whilst the main route for us is a completely massive dinner, constructed round a spiralized ham- brunch is still notable vital if we’re hosting guests. regardless of how early dinner is, no person can ever appear to tide themselves over absolutely without a few solid fare in the AM hours. So brunch it is!
At the equal time, I’m already cooking and elbows deep in prep for the main occasion. So how am I going to make two important meals occur correctly and perfectly?! again, this is why i love brunch a lot. i will without problems prep platters of eggs, sausages, even hash browns, and many others with minimum attempt. Throw in a fruit salad and once important casserole and that i’m in commercial enterprise.
A Monte Cristo is a essentially a fried ham & cheese (usually Swiss) sandwich, and is a twist at the more conventional French croque-monsieur. This frequently savory sandwich is frequently lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar earlier than serving, and plated with a facet of raspberry fruit preserves.
In short, it’s the first-rate breakfast grilled cheese you’re ever gonna eat, with or without the optional sugar and preserves. even though, I enormously advocate them to really get the overall revel in.

Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups half & half, or fuller fat milk
- 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- pinch of nutmeg
- salt & pepper, to taste
- 6 cups slightly stale, cubed French bread
- 2 cups diced ham
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- powdered sugar optional, for garnish
- raspberry preserves, warmed until stirrable optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the eggs, half and half, mustard, nutmeg, and salt & pepper to a large bowl. Whisk together until the mixture's completely smooth.
- Add the bread, stirring until all of the bread is well coated with egg.
- Stir in the ham and half of the cheese until evenly incorporated.
- Lightly spray an 8x8" baking dish with non stick cooking spray. Pour the egg mixture out into the pan, evenly spreading it out. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly out over the dish.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a butter knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the casserole rest 2 minutes before slicing and plating. If using, sprinkle each slice lightly with sifted powdered sugar. Drizzle with the warm raspberry preserves, and serve immediately.