Christmas Morning Casserole

Christmas morning has always been my favorite. It was the one day of the year, aside from Easter, that we were allowed to eat chocolate for breakfast. But the best part was the chocolate was only the appetizer to the big Christmas brunch yet to come!

Although my excitement for a chocolate breakfast never waned, as an adult, the after- brunch wasn't quite as exciting because I was the one that had to get up and cook it. That is, until I discovered overnight breakfast casseroles, like this Christmas Morning Casserole!

Christmas brunch is even more special than your typical brunch because it's leisurely; there's nowhere to rush to (until dinner at least.) But being able to prep your Christmas morning meal the night before makes it feel even more leisurely, especially if you're an adult and the one responsible for getting it on the table! No wonder Grandma Jean made this recipe every year!

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

I'm all about breakfast and brunch recipes that you can prep the night before and toss in the oven in the morning. And that's why overnight breakfast casseroles are ideal for holiday mornings. My Baileys Irish Cream Overnight French Toast Casserole, my Carrot Cake Overnight French Toast Casserole,  Lazy Pierogi Breakfast Casserole and my Overnight Cinnamon Sticky Buns are also really great recipes that can be prepped the night before, do their magic overnight in the fridge, then get tossed in the oven.  

Christmas Morning Casserole

This Christmas Morning Casserole brings back a lot of memories. Grandma Jean was my late mother-in-law and she loved to make this dish for Christmas Day brunch. In fact, it was the dish she always made. 

Wife Saver

She was a a big fan of The Best of Bridge Cook books, as am I. This recipe was adapted from the Best of Bridge "Wife Saver" Casserole, as it was known back in the day. Not my favorite term for it, but that what it was actually called. 

I don't remove the bread crusts, as the original recipe calls for because WHY? We're not 3-year-olds here and we can handle a little crust, right?! And so it doesn't lay perfectly flat in the pan- who cares? That's what overlapping is for. I'm all about making things easier.

What to serve with Christmas Morning Casserole

Since this casserole is a like a meal in itself, I like to serve it with fruit on the side and salsa or ketchup. I sprinkle chopped green onions and add them on top as a garnish to give it a little color. So, if you are looking for an easy and make-ahead casserole for your upcoming holiday breakfast, then give this Christmas Morning Overnight Breakfast Casserole a try!

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5 from 5 votes

Christmas Morning Casserole

This Christmas Morning Casserole (also known as Wife Saver) is a savory overnight breakfast casserole with layers of bread, ham, cheese, eggs and corn flakes. It's easy to throw together the night before and pop in the oven for a delicious Christmas morning brunch.

Course Breakfast, brunch

Cuisine American, Canadian, North American

Keyword casserole, christmas morning, wife saver

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Refrigeration time 8 hours

Total Time 9 hours 15 minutes

Servings 12 servings

Calories 323kcal

Author Adapted from Christmas Morning Wife Saver Casserole Pg. 33 Enjoy! Best of Bridge Cookbook

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 16 slices white bread
• 16 slices sliced ham (sandwich meat) (approx 395 g package)
• 1.5 cups grated cheese
• 6 whole eggs
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 3 cups whole milk * it has to be whole milk or it gets too soggy
• ¼ large green pepper
• 1 tsp hot mustard * I use Keen's hot mustard
• ¼ cup green onion, chopped
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup corn flakes, crushed a little

Garnish

• additional chopped green onion
• salsa or ketchup, as desired

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Spray a 9X13 baking/casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Add 8 slices of bread (with crusts on) to bottom of dish, overlapping slightly so they all fit.
  
• Cover bread with half of the ham slices.
  
• Then sprinkle on grated cheese.
  
• Then add remainder of ham slices.
  
• Cover with remaining slices of bread, overlapping as in the first layer. Press down to flatten a little, if it's too high.
  
• Beat eggs, hot mustard and milk, then add green pepper, green onion and Worcestershire sauce.
  
• Pour mixture over casserole.
  
• Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in fridge overnight.
  
• In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees Celcius)
• Melt butter and pour over casserole.
• Crush corn flakes (I put them in a ziplock bag and roll a rolling pin over them a couple of times) and sprinkle on top of casserole.
  
• Bake (uncovered) for 1 hour. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish

• Sprinkle with chopped green onion and garnish with salsa or ketchup, if desired.

Notes

Need a casserole dish (affiliate links)

Nutrition Facts

Christmas Morning Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 323 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Cholesterol 55mg18%

Sodium 762mg33%

Potassium 258mg7%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 17g34%

Vitamin A 441IU9%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 229mg23%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 762mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 441IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 2mg

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More Holiday Breakfast Ideas!

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Pierogi Breakfast Casserole

Gluten-free Holiday Ham & Rice Benedict with Blender Cranberry Hollandaise

Sheet Pan Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

Ukrainian Breakfast Hash

French Toast Pigtails (Roll ups): Pigs in a Blanket for Breakfast!

Award-Winning Maple Sausage Brunch Bites

Easy Sheet Pan Huevos Rancheros- Gluten-free

This recipe is part of The Country Cook Weekend Potluck