Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

02 - In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes with chopped ham and turkey. Toss gently to distribute evenly. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish.

03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully blended and smooth.

04 - Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and meat. Press down gently with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.

05 - Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly across the top of the casserole.

06 - Cover the dish with aluminum foil and let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes, allowing the bread to fully soak up the custard.

07 - Bake the covered casserole for 30 minutes to set the structure.

08 - Remove the foil and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes, until the casserole is set and the top is golden brown.

09 - Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, generously dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

You get all the comforting flavors of a Monte Cristo sandwich without standing at the stove flipping French toast for an hour
The overnight option means you can wake up and pop it in the oven while coffee brews

02 -

Resist cutting into the casserole immediately, or you will end up with a runny, unappealing mess instead of neat squares
If making this ahead, refrigerate overnight but let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before baking to prevent uneven cooking

03 -

Cut the bread into larger cubes if you prefer a chewier texture, or smaller cubes for a more uniform, pudding like consistency
Grate your own Swiss cheese instead of buying pre shredded, which melts better and has a fresher flavor

Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole (Printable)

# Components:

→ Bread & Dairy Base

→ Meats

→ Toppings

# Method:

# Expert Advice: