Southwest Breakfast Casserole with Ham

This Southwest Breakfast Casserole with Ham is one of my family’s favorite recipes.  Prepare the night before so you just pop it into the oven, this recipe is loaded with ham, veggies, wheat bread, and tons of cheese.  It is a one-dish meal that can be topped with avocado, salsa, and served as a complete meal alongside juice or coffee.

Our best green smoothie is a great option to have alongside this casserole for a super healthy antioxidant-rich breakfast!

Breakfast Casserole with Ham

I love waking up and being able to pop something in the oven for breakfast that is ready by the time I have grabbed a shower and had my first cup of coffee.  This is especially true on busy weekends, or Sunday mornings when getting out the door to the church is always hectic.  This breakfast casserole with ham, eggs, veggies, and cheese is a family favorite meal.

Using whole wheat bread alongside some nice Southwest style spices helps make this a flavorful breakfast that is easy to serve.  The bread gives it a denser texture and makes it a lot easier to cut into servings that are more satisfying.

If your family prefers a sweeter breakfast, you might want to try my French toast sticks with pumpkin spice flavor, or even these yummy red velvet donuts.

Can I make this Southwest breakfast with sausage or bacon? 

If you prefer to use bacon or sausage in this breakfast, you certainly can.  I find that ham is less expensive but also healthier overall, so it tends to be my go-to option for breakfasts like this one.  If you prefer, you can substitute in lean turkey bacon or turkey sausage to keep it a healthier meal overall.

Just remember that if using bacon or sausage, it will add to the preparation time as you will need to cook it before mixing it into the casserole.  Alternatively, you can sometimes find pre-cooked varieties that would work as a substitute in this dish.

What if I don’t have diced green chiles? 

Green chiles really add that traditional Southwest flavor to this breakfast casserole.  If you don’t have any on hand or don’t care for their flavor, that s easy to fix.  For this recipe, you can easily substitute any salsa you prefer in equal amounts.  You could also use diced jalapenos, or hatch chile if you prefer to go a fresh route for a more distinct flavor.  A nice green salsa or Verda sauce is another yummy choice in place of plain green chiles.

Does this breakfast casserole with ham freeze well?

One of my favorite things about this casserole is that it definitely freezes well both cooked and uncooked.  When I know I want easy breakfasts on busy days, I will make this ahead, portion, and freeze for later.  I’ve also been known to make this in the springtime when eggs are on sale after Easter in bulk and freeze uncooked in disposable baking trays.  All I have to do is pop it into the refrigerator the night before, then into the oven the morning we want to eat for breakfast.

As with freezing any meal, make sure you wrap this.  Date and label the container so you know how long it is good before using it. This lasts up to 4 months in the freezer.

Ingredients for an overnight breakfast bake

• Olive oil
• Bell pepper
• Onion
• Green chiles
• Tomatoes
• Eggs
• Deli ham
• Mexican cheese blend
• Milk
• Whole grain bread
• Garlic powder
• Chili powder
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

How to make a breakfast casserole with ham

Measure and prepare your ingredients before you begin mixing the casserole.  This helps save time as you work.

Next, you will cook down the vegetables until they are softened and set aside. Once these are all tender and seasoned, you will layer the bread in your prepared baking dish, top with the ham, then vegetables.

You will combine the eggs and milk to make a nice frothy mixture to then pour over the bread and vegetable layers.  Top with cheese, then store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Once baked, serve with your favorite fresh fruit, salsa, guacamole, and other egg toppings.