This Monte Cristo Casserole recipe made with French toast is a popular overnight breakfast recipe that can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or the freezer until you're ready to enjoy it.
It's inspired by a dish that was popular at Bennigan's! They have a sandwich with ham, turkey, and cheese that is fried and topped with a raspberry sauce...it's indulgent.
Spoiler alert! This is not our typical healthy, low-carb breakfast recipe like Ham Quiche Cups or Crustless Quiche.
It's absolutely delicious, just like a Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich. But it's fancier and indulgent because it starts with pre-made frozen French Toast.
It's perfect for a special occasion like Mother's Day or big holidays like Christmas or Easter because you can make it the night before. And just like overnight hash brown breakfast casserole, it's sure to wow!
Directions
In this version of Monte Cristo Casserole, deli meats and Swiss cheese are mixed with frozen cinnamon French toast sticks that have been cubed, which is a big time-saver.
Everything bakes in a creamy egg mixture, and the dish is finished with powdery confectioner's sugar, jam, and fresh strawberries.
To begin, cube frozen French toast sticks. No need to defrost them first.
Next, cube 1 cup each of ham and turkey. I usually ask for a ¼ inch thick slice from the deli counter.
Shred 1 cup of Swiss cheese.
Chop about 2 Tablespoons of fresh parsley if you have it...it adds color, flavor, and perhaps a little good luck. I read that dishes in Italy are blessed with a sprinkling of parsley dust.
You can never have enough blessings!
Layer everything in a baking dish. Don't stir or toss the mixture...if you do, the ham, turkey, and cheese will plunge to the bottom.
Whisk the eggs and milk in a bowl and evenly pour the egg mixture over the top. Bake, uncovered, in a 350-degree F oven for about 30 minutes or until the egg sets.
The house will smell wonderful, and at this point you may want to dive right in. Resist. It's best to wait about 10 minutes before serving so everything settles and firms up.
While you are waiting, hull and slice the strawberries. Some people may want to top it with a little strawberry freezer jam or with a different fruit entirely...blueberry compote anyone?
Isn't it gorgeous topped with powdered sugar, fresh strawberries, and a little chopped parsley?
Serve it on your best china and enjoy!
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📋 Recipe
Monte Cristo Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 ounce box of cinnamon French toast sticks cut in cubes
- 1 cup deli ham diced
- 1 cup deli turkey diced
- 1 cup Swiss cheese shredded
- 2 Tablespoons parsley chopped
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 Pint strawberries
- Powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Prepare French toast sticks, ham, turkey, Swiss cheese and parsley as indicated in the ingredient list.
- Layer the first 5 ingredients in a 9 x 12 baking dish in the order listed.
- Whisk eggs and milk in a bowl.
- Evenly pour egg mixture over ingredients in the baking dish.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until egg mixture sets.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Hull and slice strawberries.
- Cut into squares.
- Top with powdered sugar and strawberries.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on February 13, 2013, and has been updated to improve the reader experience.
nini
Deeeeelicious!
xxx
Pamela
Looks delicious! I can't wait to try it.
Laura Burns
Another one of my favorite meals from the store! I so happy I found your website!!
Marjory
Thanks Laura! I'm slowly getting them added along with a lot of other things too!
Rebecca Hubbell
I love Monte Cristos and this was such a fun way to mix them up a bit, nothing beats an easy breakfast casserole!
Marjory
Totally agree! We make this up ahead of time so there's absolutely no stress.
Alli
This looks to die for!! I’m a huge monte cristo fan so I can see me inhaling this.
Marjory
It definitely doesn't last long when we make it!