Name: Croque Monsieur Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the slices of bread and greasing the baking dish); Salt and pepper to taste; 4 large eggs; 2 egg yolks; 6 ounces good quality ham (preferably French ham); 1 1/2 cups of whole milk; 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream; 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 6 ounces gruyère cheese; 1 day old baguette

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A Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole has been baked in a white oval Apilco baking dish. The bred and cheese on top are golden brown.

This easy-to-make Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole combines the rich, cheesy, and savory flavors of the iconic French sandwich into a dish that’s perfect for lazy weekends or a special brunch.

Breakfast (or really any meal of the day) doesn’t get much more satisfying than eggy custard, salty ham, melty gruyère cheese, and a baguette all baked until golden brown.

The equipment you’ll need

9-by-13-inch baking dish
Whisk
Large bowl
Cutting board
Sharp bread knife

The ingredients for making Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole

All the ingredients used in making a Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole are prepared on the kitchen counter and ready for assembly.

Unsalted butter (for the slices of bread and greasing the baking dish)
Salt and pepper
Large eggs
Good quality ham (preferably French ham)
Whole milk
Heavy cream
Dijon mustard
Gruyère cheese
Day old baguette

Recipe instructions for Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole

Baguette slices with French ham are ready for making a Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole.

Ham is tucked between slices of buttered baguette.

Eggs, egg yolks, milk and heavy are mixed in a clear glass bowl and ready for pouring over the top of the bread.

The egg custard has been poured over the bread and ham. Now it's time to sprinkle the gruyère cheese on top.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and butter the bottom of the pan and sides generously.
Slice the day-old baguette into approximately 1/2″ pieces. Butter one side of the slices and spread a thin layer of mustard on the other side.
Arrange the bread slices butter side up, overlapping, in the pan, creating two layers. Tuck small pieces of ham into all the crevices created by the overlapping bread.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and egg yolks until combined. Add the whole milk, heavy cream, and ground black pepper and whisk until smooth.
Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices and press down with the palm of your hand making sure the bread absorbs some of the mixture.
Sprinkle the gruyère cheese evenly over the top of the bread and ham. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. You can refrigerate overnight and bake the next morning if you prefer.
Remove the pan from the refrigerator and bake in the oven for about 45 minutes or until the egg custard has set, and the cheese and bread are golden brown on top.
When done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, place large spoonfuls of the casserole on plates, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Croque monsieur breakfast casserole is baked in a white oval dish.

Servings of Croque Monsieur are on small breakfast plates along with Dijon mustard and French cornichons.

Here are a few of my other favorite things this week:

Vintage French copper

Medium and small copper pots are sitting on a marbled kitchen counter. One has French ribbon tied on the pot lid handle.

There’s still time to send a gift from SHOP MOST LOVELY THINGS. Like these copper pieces found at flea markets in Paris, Lyon, and Avignon. Every purchase is gift-wrapped and sent out the same day if purchased by 4 pm EST.

Little Living Tree

It’s not too late to send a Little Living Tree from Terrain! And it’s 30% off. It comes in a beautiful velvet bag.

Need some ideas for neighbor gifts?

This year we are dropping off paperwhite kits. Last year it was Stovetop Potpourri in a Jar and Handpainted Candles. Just a few simple ideas!

Gingher Scissors

A pair of really nice scissors makes the best stocking stuffer! I use my Gingher scissors to cut everything (to the horror of people that sew). They make every job a little easier, from wrapping up gifts to making my frayed canvas ribbon.

They come in chrome and black. If you don’t have a good pair of scissors, order a pair…you’ll wonder how you lived without them!

That’s all I have this week! Let’s check in with Mary Ann and Cindy who both had very big weekend events!

Classic Casual Home

Cindy Hattersley Design