Over the holidays I always like to make some tasty breakfasts and things work out really well if you make a ham for dinner as the leftovers can be used to make this quick and easy ham and cheese egg casserole. I first came across the idea for this egg breakfast casserole on Kalyn’s Kitchen about four years ago and I made it right away and I have been making it ever since. With some leftover ham in my fridge and the holidays here it was the perfect time to make it again and update the four year old photos for the recipe!
This breakfast egg casserole is super easy to make and really light to boot. It consists of eggs and cottage cheese at it base and from there you can add pretty much whatever you want. I like to experiment with different flavour combinations but the one that I keep coming back to is the classic ham and cheese combo. You pretty much just need to mix the eggs, cottage cheese and the fillings and bake until golden brown! You can even assemble everything the night before so that you only have to bake it in the morning making it even easier for a busy morning.
I am a big fan of spicy heat so I like to add some pickled jalapenos to my ham and cheese egg casseroles and you can never go wrong topping it off with some salsa and sour cream! What a tasty to start the day!
The original photo from 4 years ago:
Ham and Cheese Egg Casserole
A super easy breakfast egg casserole with diced ham and cheddar cheese.
ingredients
- 10 eggs
- 1 cup ham, diced
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeno peppers, sliced (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
directions
- Mix everything and place in a greased 9×9 inch baking pan and bake in a preheated 375F/190C oven until the eggs have set and the top is a light golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
Option: Replace the ham with steamed broccoli.
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Sharon says
Oh, now I know what to do with cottage cheese! -lol-
Kitt says
Funny, I was just looking around for a baked macaroni and cheese recipe so I could use up some leftover cheese and ham. But this looks pretty tempting, too.
Anonymous says
This looks delish. I don’t feel so good right now and this looks wonderful.
Cheryl says
I love the addition of cottage cheese, I will try it.
Paula says
I love casseroles like this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Great recipe!
Michelle says
mmm…try it with green chiles and chorizo sometime, you won’t be disappointed!
Kalyn says
I was just thinking that looked good when I saw that you got inspired by my recipe! Love the idea of adding some jalapenos, yum!
Bobby says
yum, this casserole looks amazing. What could be better for breakfast?
Hayley says
Beautiful picture, love that crusty top!
chuck says
Looks yummy! I know what you mean, I think ham is always better the next day. And, theres so many thing you can do with left over ham too.
dishesdone says
Looks fabulous, Kevin! I have missed a few weeks of checking your blog, so many great recipes and pics to catch up on! This one looks right up my alley! I accidentally deleted my blog so I started from scratch!
Pam says
I also cook ham just so I can find all the fun ways to use the leftovers. My favorite is in a bread pudding.
Ciao Chow Linda says
It’s great how you managed to turn a baked ham into so many other meals. good planning.
Sharon says
Kevin, this looks absolutely amazing (as usual). If I had this for breakfast, I’d be a happy lady!
ttfn300 says
love this kinda meal 🙂
[eatingclub] vancouver || js says
This is a wonderful idea for breakfast. Wow!
Elra says
Simply delicious Kevin.
Cheers,
Elra
Helene says
Your casserole is great, I like that you added some jalapenos.
Foxglove says
that casserole’s makin me really hungry now! i actually thought of doin somethin similar but i lack the cheese at home 🙁
Sylvie says
That looks like a good way to start a day.
Anonymous says
This is definitely a full breakfast.I love casseroles too.
Netts Nook says
Kevin this looks great just like mom always made on Christmas can’t wait to try your recipe.
Joanne says
My family always makes lasagna and ham on Christmas, but everyone is usually so full from the lasagna that the ham goes straight to the fridge. This Christmas, I used it for all kinds of omelets and frittatas…ham and cheese are such a versatile combination, they taste good with nearly everything! Another good use for leftover ham could be to make a pizza or calzone with it!
Karen says
That looks yummy! I make a similar dish that also contains bread slices.
pigpigscorner says
Reminds me of quiche! Looks really deilcious.
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says
This looks so incredible and is perfect for a cozy rainy weekend!!
HoneyB says
This looks really yum Kevin! If I had cottage cheese I would have made this today! I baked a ham yesterday..
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says
What a great dish! Breakfast casseroles are a perfect way to use up leftovers.
Sophie says
Kevin, this looks so good, but can you make this with 4 eggs? instead of 10? Is it possible? Can you make them with omega 3 eggs, then you have less cholesterol than normal eggs!
Bye for now, greets, Sophie
Jan says
Looks tasty!
Garrett says
If you have a leftover ham hock, making a batch of split pea soup with it, or some bean stew, is a great way to use it. But yes, ham and eggs always seem to go together perfectly.
Natashya says
A great way to use up ham! I love the addition of cottage cheese.
Lori Lynn says
Perfect for Sunday brunch!
Cinnamonda says
The casserole looks very tasty! Ham leftovers really are great for many recipes.
Greetings,
Tiina
Melissa says
Breakfast casseroles are my favorite. Can’t wait to try this one. I just made your spinach and artichoke dip and it was delish!
Marjie says
I like how you plan ahead and make breakfast for the whole week at one shot! There’s nothing like a good egg casserole!
blackberry says
I got a job! This will be perfect for the upcoming week.
MaryBeth says
Cottage Cheese….wow now that is different, sounds great and looks fabulous.
Karen says
I’d have to add some chopped green chiles to that but even without it looks great. Your photos are fantastic!
mikky says
i love the simplicity, yet so yummy, of this dish… 🙂
ChichaJo says
I love this! Eggs for breakfast and a perfect use for leftovers 🙂
Beachlover says
my comfy food!! look delicious!!
Jo says
I must say that this dish has really caught my eye, but I would also have to say that I love your blog… it’s ACE!!
Your photo’s are great as is your wording. I really look forward to reading every new post.
Will definately be trying this dish for breakie this week.
Take care,
Jo
Cakebrain says
hey, this meal totally fits into my low-carb plan! yay! looks yummy!
Danny says
Just cooked a ham on the weekend….This was perfect timing…Delicious breakfast!!!
jesse says
That looks AMAZING. What a great twist to a breakfast favourite!
Kevin says
Sophie: It would be pretty easy to scale this recipe down to 4 eggs or you could just halve everything and use 5. I did not mind making such a large batch as the leftovers are just as good and I will have quick breakfasts for the week. I am sure that omega 3 eggs would work as well.
Katie says
This looks like a great lunch with a green salad. Hmm something to think about! I wish it was what I was eating right now instead of this sandwich.
Pam says
Yum. I can’t wait to make this. Looks so comforting and tasty.
Aggie says
I have lots of Christmas ham leftover in the freezer…what a great way to use it up! This looks wonderful!
LunaCafe says
Kevin, this looks yummy! From the photo, I was expecting to see cubed bread and a liquid, in addition to the eggs, in the recipe. Is this similar to a frittata then? Looks like a great brunch dish.
Marc @ NoRecipes says
Kevin, this looks great! This would make the perfect weekend brunch with a nice arugula salad.
Laila says
simple and delicious .. perfect for breakfast .. Laila .. http://limeandlemon.wordpress.com/
Jeff says
Wow I never would have thought about adding cottage cheese but now I must try….
Culinary Cory says
These are my favorite kinds of breakfasts. Just throw it in a dish and bake.
Jeanne says
Do you know, I’ve wanted to make one of Kalyn’e breakfast casseroles for the longest time, but have never got round to it? Maybe seeing your beautiful version will finally persuade me!
Adam Sank says
This looks awesome and low-carb. Totally going to try making it this weekend… Thanks for posting!
Lori McLain says
Just love this recipe.
I love the photo better. I am using this in an original recipe contest hosted by Frenchs.com
http://www.frenchs.com/Contest/recipe/brunch-of-fun-casserole-743.html
Check out my recipe with me using your picture.
I hope I win and wish me luck.
Lori from Texas
robinsona79 says
This was delicious! I shared this with my friend and her coworker and they both loved it! Will definitely make it again.
hope chests says
I think this is much better than my mac and cheese recipe! This is really perfect!
Anonymous says
I cannot stand Breakfast Casseroles that have bread in them. That being said, I found this on Pinterest almost 2 years ago and it has become our go to recipe for Holidays, taking a meal to someone or church gatherings. It is amazing! If I am running short on time I will use the real bacon bits in a package that you find in the salad dressing section of the store. Thanks so much for posting this!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
Love this for my New Years Day breakfast! Great recipe, Kevin!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Yum! The PERFECT breakfast!
Anonymous says
This looks so darn good! 🙂
Can't wait to try it…
Q:
How would I know a good cottage cheese brand, from a not so good brand?
what do I look for?
I have never cooked/baked with cottage cheese before…
Anonymous says
One thing I got to thinking of…
if you have a TON of turkey, goose, duck, etc., left over after Christmas, why not use that if you do no have ham?
If like us, you have candied Sweet potatoes left over, there's another thing you can add to the casserole.
I guess what I'm saying in a roundabout way is, though this recipe is a Great one I believe the options of what can be added, are only limited by what's in your fridge & what's in your imagination.
T.Y. Mr.Lynch for sharing this recipe, and your time, with all of us. 🙂
Jeanette says
I've been eyeing this casserole for a while now and still have to make this – thanks for the reminder Kevin. Wishing you the very best this Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
kevin says
JAMES09: It is difficult to tell which brand of cottage cheese is a good one based on the package, you really need to try them and see which one you like best. One of the beauties of this recipe is that after the eggs and cottage cheese you can throw in whatever you like so turkey and candied sweet potatoes are another great way to go! Enjoy!
kevin says
Jeanette: Happy New Year!
Heather Christo says
this breakfast casserole looks fantastic!!
Jerin Marina says
Uh, yes! This looks absolutely delicious. And dip totally counts as a meal, regardless of if it’s a Thursday or if it’s breakfast. 😉 And I was thinking the same thing as Dorothy
Lin Larson says
Looks amazing! Love the fact that it has the jalapenos in it! Yum!
Anonymous says
don't think this would all fit in a 9×9 pan. More like a 9×13 if that.
If overfilled it would make a horrible mess in the oven and a forever seeming stench in the house.
kevin says
Anonymous: With a 9×9 pan it will end up ~1 inch thick and it will not overflow.
the bean says
Thank you for this recipe ! This is exactly what I want on Mother's Day !
Tally says
Seriously genius!!
Anonymous says
Been doing variations for some time. Try cubes of Spam or corned beef sometime. I generally use more meat, onions (green or ramps), and cheese (Italian, Mexican) than the recipe calls for and it still works out well. Bacon is a great addition. I want to try it with some left over salmon next.
Anonymous says
Has anyone tried to add hashbrowns to this? If so do you just add them in raw or try and cook/brown them first?
Amity says
I've made this several times now, it's delicious and my family likes it.
But it never takes less than 50 minutes to bake. It doesn't seem to matter what kind of pan I use, it takes twice the time you give in the recipe. Does it really cook in 25 minutes for you?
Veronica says
I tried this in a 8×8″ dish because that’s all I had and the center wouldn’t cook at all. It was pure liquid. I added 15 extra minutes to the cooking time and the center still didn’t finish cooking. I ended up moving everything into a 8×11″ dish and spread everything out so it wasn’t so dense in the center and added 10 extra minutes. So it was a total of 45 minutes cooking time. If I were to make this again, I would use the 8×11″ dish because then the egg mixture is spread out and not so tall and the center cooks better.
Debi says
This looks so good – I too am not a huge fan of the heavy on the bread or potato breakfast casseroles. I wonder, has anyone tried it using Ricotta cheese instead of Cottage cheese? Like the idea of adding green chili’s & chorizo sausage.
kevin says
Ricotta cheese works well!