Make Ina Garten’s Easiest EVER Overnight Breakfast Casserole!

Introduction

Start your morning with a hassle-free breakfast that’s bursting with savory delight—Ina Garten’s Easiest EVER Overnight Breakfast Casserole. This classic casserole is the secret to stress-free brunches, family holidays, or weekday mornings, allowing you to enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast with minimal morning effort. Simply assemble it the night before and bake in the morning for a fluffy, flavor-packed meal that pleases every crowd.

Why You’ll Love This Overnight Breakfast Casserole

What sets this casserole apart is its simplicity—no tricky steps, no unusual ingredients, just wholesome, familiar flavors. Layer rich bread cubes, eggs, creamy cheese, and your favorite breakfast additions, and let it rest overnight. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth casserole with golden edges, gooey cheese, and a hint of herby freshness. It’s the ultimate recipe for when you want to serve something special, but don’t have time for early morning prep.

Gathering the Best Ingredients

The secret to a standout breakfast casserole lies in choosing good-quality ingredients. Use hearty rustic bread—like sourdough or country white—creamy Gruyère or sharp cheddar, and fresh herbs like chives or parsley for brightness. For protein, classic breakfast sausage or diced ham work beautifully. The custard, made from eggs and milk, soaks overnight to yield a cake-like, savory strata that holds together perfectly.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list—ingredients sorted by store section for quicker, easier grocery runs and effortless meal prep.

Instructions

1. Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the bread cubes in an even layer in the dish.
2. Sprinkle the cooked sausage (or ham) evenly over the bread, followed by the cheese and any optional veggies.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs.
4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, pressing gently to help the liquid soak in. Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours, up to 24).
5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from fridge and let it come to room temperature while the oven heats.
6. Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed, golden, and set in the center. (If it browns too quickly, tent with foil.)
7. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra herbs and serve warm.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this breakfast casserole with a fresh fruit salad, a side of crisp bacon, or a simple green salad for brunch. It’s also delicious with hot sauce, salsa, or even a dollop of sour cream. For a bit of extra color, scatter chopped tomatoes or scallions over the top before serving.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe easily serves 8 and offers a hearty balance of protein, carbs, and cheese. Each serving is approximately 350–400 calories depending on your mix-ins and choice of cheese or sausage. It’s satisfying enough to carry you through lunch, making it perfect for busy mornings.

Why Ina Garten’s Breakfast Casserole Is a Meal Planning Essential (Recap)

This overnight casserole takes all the chaos out of morning meal prep. Its assemble-ahead nature, crowd-pleasing flavor, and adaptability make it a must-have for your recipe rotation—ideal for holidays, sleepovers, or weekday meal preps.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a superstar for weekly meal planning. Save and schedule this recipe to organize your breakfast lineup. CookifyAI smartly generates master shopping lists, combining ingredients across all your planned meals so you get exactly what you need and nothing extra.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates exact total ingredient quantities for more accurate shopping
• Categorizes your entire grocery list by store section for a smoother trip
• Prevents buying duplicate ingredients you already have planned for in other meals
• Makes weekly meal prep faster, easier, and more predictable

Pro tip: When planning your week, schedule your recipes to consolidate eggs, cheese, and bread purchases, saving both time and money.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill/Rest Time: 8–24 hours (overnight)
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: about 1 hour 10 minutes (plus chilling time)

Enjoy effortless, flavorful mornings—Ina’s way!