If you’re a fan of cozy mornings filled with comforting, flavorful bites, you’re going to adore this Overnight Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole with Cranberry Orange Bread and Swiss Cheese Recipe. It’s a delightful twist on the classic Monte Cristo sandwich, layered in a casserole that’s perfect for a busy weekday or a special brunch. The sweet and tangy cranberry orange bread paired with melty Swiss cheese and a hint of honey mustard creates a harmonious breakfast symphony you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Effortless Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare it the night before, then pop it in the oven fresh in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of cranberry orange bread with Swiss and Gruyere cheeses delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy.
Feeds a Crowd with Ease: This casserole is ideal for family gatherings or brunch parties, serving up to eight hearty portions.
Versatile and Customizable: Swap the Canadian bacon for ham or turkey, or switch out the preserves to suit seasonal flavors — making it easy to tailor to your taste buds.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This Overnight Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole with Cranberry Orange Bread and Swiss Cheese Recipe relies on a handful of straightforward yet delightful ingredients. Each one plays a special role: the cranberry orange bread lends a fruity aroma and tender crumb, the Swiss cheese melts beautifully to add richness, and the combination of eggs and milk creates a fluffy, custardy base that ties it all together.
- Cranberry Orange Bread: This seasonal bread is the heart of the dish, lending a subtle citrusy sweetness—feel free to use whatever fruit bread you love in its place.
- Canadian Bacon: Adds a savory, smoky note; ham or turkey slices work perfectly as alternatives.
- Swiss and Gruyere Cheese: The Swiss cheese melts smoothly inside the sandwich, while shredded Gruyere on top creates a golden crust with a nutty depth.
- Honey Mustard: This tangy spread brightens the flavor, and don’t be shy about using plenty—it really makes the dish sing.
- Orange Cranberry Relish or Jam: Adds a pop of fruity sweetness; you can substitute with peach marmalade, raspberry jam, or your favorite preserves to mix it up.
- Eggs and Milk: The custard base binds everything together, ensuring each bite is soft and luscious.
How to Make Overnight Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole with Cranberry Orange Bread and Swiss Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Bread and Fillings
Start by prepping a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, so nothing sticks later. Lay out the slices of cranberry orange bread on a clean surface. On half of the slices, layer the Canadian bacon, then add slices of Swiss cheese. Spread a tablespoon of the orange cranberry relish or your preferred jam over the cheese for that delicious sweet-tangy touch. For the other half of the bread, generously slather on honey mustard—don’t be shy here, as it’s key to building layers of flavor.
Step 2: Assemble and Cut the Sandwiches
Carefully place the honey mustard-spread slices over the ones with the bacon, cheese, and jam to create sandwiches. Press down gently to seal the fillings. Then, cut each sandwich into triangles—these smaller pieces not only make serving easier but also allow the custard to soak in beautifully during the overnight chill.
Step 3: Arrange and Pour the Custard
Place the sandwich triangles upright in the prepared baking dish, arranging them snugly with the points up—this presentation helps give each piece a lovely crust. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper until fully combined. Pour this egg mixture evenly over the sandwiches, making sure everything gets soaked. Finally, sprinkle the shredded Gruyere cheese on top for an irresistible golden finish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge to soak overnight.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole’s cover and bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the eggs have set fully and the top is a gorgeous golden color. Once done, let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving—this little pause helps everything settle for easy slicing and even better flavor.
How to Serve Overnight Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole with Cranberry Orange Bread and Swiss Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
Dust the casserole lightly with powdered sugar, just like a classic Monte Cristo. Fresh sage sprigs make a charming garnish, adding a fresh herbal note that balances the sweet and savory flavors. For an extra touch, serve with a small dish of raspberry preserves or maple syrup for dipping—it’s the perfect match!
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with simple, fresh sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast, while roasted breakfast potatoes or crispy bacon complete the morning feast beautifully. Fresh fruit salad or citrus-packed fruit cups will echo the orange notes in the bread, rounding out the meal with natural sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual brunch, serve the casserole right from the baking dish with small plates and jam on the side, encouraging everyone to help themselves. Alternatively, plate individual portions alongside a sprig of sage and a drizzle of warmed raspberry preserves for a touch of elegance. You can even create mini casserole servings in individual ramekins for a fun, personalized presentation that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (and trust me, you might!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after resting a bit, making for delicious next-day breakfasts or snacks.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully. Wrap individual portions tightly with plastic wrap and foil to avoid freezer burn, then store them for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to indulge, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture and flavor retention.
Reheating
For reheating, pop the casserole slices in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and crisp on the edges. You can also microwave on medium power, but the oven method keeps the texture closest to freshly baked.
FAQs
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Can I use regular white bread if I don’t have cranberry orange bread?
Absolutely! While cranberry orange bread adds a wonderful fruity nuance, you can substitute with any bread of your choice—French bread, challah, or even brioche will work well. To retain some of that fruity sweetness, consider adding a bit more jam or preserves inside.
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What if I don’t have Canadian bacon? Can I use something else?
Definitely! Sliced ham or turkey makes great substitutes. You can also experiment with cooked sausage or even skip the meat entirely for a vegetarian-friendly version—just add extra cheese and veggies like spinach or mushrooms.
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How important is the overnight soak?
The overnight soak allows the bread to absorb the egg custard completely, resulting in a tender, flavorful casserole. While you can shorten this time if you’re in a rush, letting it chill overnight gives the best texture and flavor performance.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can try using dairy-free cheese alternatives and substitute regular milk with almond, oat, or soy milk. Keep in mind that this might slightly alter the richness and texture, but it’s a lovely option for those on dairy-free diets.
Final Thoughts
This Overnight Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole with Cranberry Orange Bread and Swiss Cheese Recipe is genuinely one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s comforting, festive, and surprisingly easy to throw together, especially when you prep ahead. Whether it’s a holiday brunch, a weekend family breakfast, or a special treat, this casserole is sure to become a cherished favorite. So go ahead—try it, share it, and savor those cozy, cheesy, fruity mornings!
Print
Overnight Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole with Cranberry Orange Bread and Swiss Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus overnight chilling
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Overnight Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole is a delightful twist on the classic sandwich, combining specialty bread, Canadian bacon, Swiss and Gruyere cheeses, and a flavorful egg custard. Prepared the night before and baked in the morning, this casserole offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with hints of cranberry orange and honey mustard, making it an ideal dish for brunch or a special breakfast gathering.
Ingredients
Sandwich Ingredients
- 1 loaf specialty bread, such as Franz Innkeeper’s Cranberry Orange Bread (or what’s in season)
- 16 oz Canadian bacon or ham slices
- 4 oz Swiss cheese, sliced
- ¼ cup honey mustard
- ½ cup orange cranberry relish or ½ cup favorite preserves like peach marmalade or raspberry jam
Custard and Topping Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
- 1 ¾ cups milk
- 8 large eggs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp fresh ground pepper
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- ¾ cup raspberry preserves (optional, for serving)
- Fresh sage, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish evenly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the sandwiches: On a large surface, lay out the slices of bread. On half of the slices, arrange the Canadian bacon or ham, then layer with sliced Swiss cheese. Spread 1 tablespoon of orange cranberry relish or raspberry jam over the cheese.
- Spread honey mustard: On the remaining bread slices, generously spread the honey mustard. The generous amount is important to enhance the flavor.
- Create sandwiches: Place the bread slices together to form sandwiches, then cut each sandwich into triangles.
- Arrange in the baking dish: Place the triangle sandwiches in the prepared pan with points facing upwards, pushing them close together to fit well in the dish.
- Mix custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper until fully combined.
- Pour custard and add cheese: Pour the egg mixture over the arranged sandwiches in the baking dish, then sprinkle the shredded Gruyere cheese evenly on top.
- Chill overnight: Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to soak in the custard mixture.
- Bake the casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cover and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and the eggs are set but not runny.
- Cool and garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh sage sprigs and dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve: Serve warm with optional sides of raspberry preserves or maple syrup to complement the sweet and savory flavors. Makes about 8 servings.
Notes
- This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking, making it convenient for busy mornings or entertaining.
- Feel free to serve with your favorite preserves or maple syrup for added sweetness.
- Using specialty bread like cranberry orange adds a unique flavor, but any hearty bread can be substituted.
- Adjust the amount of honey mustard and preserves to your taste to balance the sweet and savory elements.
- Make sure to bake until the eggs are fully set to avoid a runny texture.
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