Description
Classic eggs benedict casserole brings together Canadian bacon, English muffins, and perfectly poached eggs in a crowd-pleasing breakfast bake. Simple preparation makes this dish perfect for weekend gatherings or special morning celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 large eggs
- 4 large egg yolks
- 10 oz (283 g) Canadian bacon, chopped
- 6 English muffins, split and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and warm
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Butter or nonstick spray, for greasing the dish
Instructions
- Preparation: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer torn English muffins and Canadian bacon evenly across the bottom, creating a uniform base.
- Custard Development: Whisk eggs, milk, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Pour the liquid mixture over the bread and meat, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate, sealed, for 4-8 hours to allow flavor infusion.
- Baking Process: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Uncover the casserole and bake until the center sets firmly and the surface turns golden brown, roughly 45-50 minutes.
- Hollandaise Creation: Establish a double boiler with a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Whisk egg yolks and lemon juice until light and slightly thickened. Gradually incorporate melted butter, whisking continuously to emulsify into a smooth sauce.
- Finishing Touches: Season hollandaise with salt and cayenne. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking. Slice into portions and generously drizzle with warm hollandaise sauce, transforming the dish into an indulgent breakfast delight.
Notes
- Prevent Soggy Base: Use slightly stale or toasted English muffins to maintain texture and prevent a mushy bottom layer in the casserole.
- Master Hollandaise Technique: Whisk egg yolks continuously and add butter slowly to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming grainy.
- Customize Protein Options: Substitute Canadian bacon with ham, turkey bacon, or smoked salmon for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
- Control Moisture Balance: Cover casserole during initial refrigeration to prevent excessive drying and ensure even moisture distribution throughout the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 350 mg