Let’s face it, NYC gets all the glitz and glam for supposedly having the best bagels. Now, before everyone gets all up in arms about this very touchy topic, please just give our New Jersey Bagel Casserole a taste. You might not believe it now, but after dunking your fork into this savory, creamy cheesy breakfast bake inspired by The Garden State, you might feel better about crossing over to the other side of the Hudson. See? We can all be friends here, even with our strong opinions and New Jersey Bagel Casserole on the table!
Ingredients
- butter, to taste, for greasing a dish
- 8 strips bacon
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 9 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 6 everything-seasoned bagels, unsliced and cut into 1-inch-wide chunks
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, sliced into 12 pieces
- fresh dill, to taste, for serving
Directions
Step 1 –Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2 –In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until they are golden-brown, about 6-8 minutes.
Step 3 –Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and leave the grease in the skillet.
Step 4 –Add the onions to the skillet and cook until they are slightly softened, about 3-4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper-towel-lined plate.
Step 5 –In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, the half-and-half, the salt, the black pepper, the cayenne pepper, the parmesan cheese, and the parsley together.
Step 6 –Place 1/2 of the bagel pieces into the prepared dish.
Step 7 –Crumble the cooked bacon and sprinkle 1/2 of it over the bagel pieces.
Step 8 –Pour 1/2 of the egg mixture over the bagel mixture and top with the onion mixture.
Step 9 –Place the cream cheese pieces on top of the bagel mixture.
Step 10 –Repeat the layers starting with the remaining bagels and ending with the remaining egg mixture.
Step 11 –Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
Step 12 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 13 –Let the casserole sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to baking.
Step 14 –Bake the casserole for 50 minutes.
Step 15 –Uncover the casserole and bake until the top is golden-brown, the center is hot, and the egg mixture is set, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 16 –Let the casserole sit for 15 minutes.
Step 17 –Sprinkle the casserole with the dill.
Step 18 –Serve.
