CookDiaries

You can assemble this breakfast casserole the night before or quickly throw it together in the morning. Feel free to substitute the extras like bacon for sausage and use your favorite cheese!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: serves 12

Ingredients

• 3 day-old everything bagels, cut into bite-size pieces (about 6 cups)
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 3/4 cup (113g) quartered cherry tomatoes (or chopped regular tomato)
• 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
• 9 large eggs
• 1 and 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 and 1/2 cups shredded cheese*
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard*
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 ounces (170g) full-fat brick cream cheese, cut into bite-size pieces
• optional for garnish: everything bagel seasoning and scallions

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or similar size (about 3-quart) casserole dish.
2. Layer the bagel pieces, chopped pepper, tomatoes, and bacon into the dish. Whisk the eggs, milk, cheese, ground mustard, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Pour evenly over bagel mixture.
3. Top evenly with pieces of cream cheese and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, if using.
4. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until center is set and edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before topping with scallions (if using), slicing, and serving.
5. Cover leftover casserole tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes

1. Make Ahead Instructions: Assemble the casserole through step 3, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Remove from the refrigerator, preheat the oven, then continue with step 4. You can also freeze the assembled uncooked casserole. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, preheat the oven, then continue with step 4. You can also freeze the baked and cooled casserole. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or at room temperature and reheat to your liking.
2. Special Tools (affiliate links): 9×13-inch Baking Pan (or any similar 3-quart baking dish) | Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk
3. Bagels: So the bagels don’t become soggy, it’s best to use slightly stale bagels. Cut up the bagels the day before and let them sit out overnight. Or, if needed, use fresh bagels, cut them into the bite-size pieces needed for this recipe, and bake them on a baking sheet in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 10 minutes. They’ll be slightly crisp and ready to use in this recipe. No need to wait for them to cool before layering into the baking dish.
4. Cheese: Use your favorite cheese here. I used a combination of freshly shredded mozzarella and smoked gouda. White cheddar, regular cheddar, or even pepper jack cheese. If using a strong cheese like feta cheese, I recommend combining it with another so the flavor isn’t overpowering.
5. Ground Mustard: A common ingredient in cheesy egg dishes, this spice adds a sharp kick and depth of flavor. I don’t recommend skipping it.
6. Everything Bagel Seasoning: Use everything bagel seasoning as garnish on top of the dish. You can purchase it at some grocery stores or make it at home. If you don’t have any, don’t worry about it. Or if you only have poppy seeds, garlic flakes, and/or sesame seeds, just sprinkle the dish with one or all of those. To make it yourself, combine 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds, 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons dried garlic flakes, and 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or flaky sea salt. You will have plenty leftover and it tastes great on pizza, potatoes, avocado toast, scrambled eggs, and focaccia.
7. Cream Cheese: Cream cheese used for cooking and baking are sold in 8-ounce bricks. You need 6 ounces (170g) for this recipe. If you don’t feel like having 2 ounces leftover, just cut up the whole brick for this dish. You won’t regret a little extra cream cheese!

Estimated Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: ~400–450 kcal
• Total Fat: ~30g
• Saturated Fat: ~13g
• Cholesterol: ~225mg
• Sodium: ~650–750mg
• Carbohydrates: ~18g
• Fiber: ~1g
• Sugars: ~3g
• Protein: ~17g