The Hot Ham & Cheese Breakfast Bake takes the classic ham and cheese sandwich and the breakfast casserole and finds that, yes, putting them together can make a truly delicious combination! Incredible ham and cheese sandwiches with creamy Havarti, bold red pepper jelly, and tangy whole-grain mustard are nestled in a cheesy, fluffy bed of eggs. The sandwiches are topped with even more cheese and savory leeks for added delight! The Hot Ham & Cheese Breakfast Bake is an entire brunch all at once, and everyone will be scrambling for more!
Ingredients
- 3 leeks, thoroughly washed and trimmed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices sourdough bread, dried
- 6 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
- 1/4 cup red pepper jelly
- 1 pound ham, sliced
- 1 pound Havarti or provolone cheese, sliced
- 9 eggs
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup curly parsley, coarsely chopped or torn
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Directions
Step 1 –Grease a 3-quart baking dish.
Step 2 –Split the leeks lengthwise, then cut them into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
Step 3 –In a skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Step 4 –Cook the leeks in the butter slowly, until just tender but not brown, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 5 –On 6 slices of the bread, spread 1 tablespoon of the mustard each.
Step 6 –On the remaining bread slices, spread an even amount of the red pepper jelly diagonally.
Step 7 –Divide the ham over the mustard-spread bread slices.
Step 8 –Top the ham with the cheese slices.
Step 9 –Top the cheese with the leeks.
Step 10 –Top the leeks with the remaining bread slices, jelly-side down.
Step 11 –Arrange the sandwiches in rows in the prepared baking dish.
Step 12 –In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs well until blended.
Step 13 –Whisk in the olive oil and the whipping cream until they are well-blended.
Step 14 –Whisk the parmesan, the parsley, the salt, the pepper, and the nutmeg into the egg mixture.
Step 15 –Pour the egg mixture over the sandwiches in the dish.
Step 16 –Cover and chill the bake for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
Step 17 –Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Step 18 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 19 –Uncover the dish.
Step 20 –Bake until puffed and golden-brown, about 40 minutes.
Step 21 –Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes.
Step 22 –Serve.