Making this Overnight Egg Bake is a great way to feed a crowd early in the morning for breakfast or to serve as lunch when paired with a salad. It also makes for an ideal dish to take to brunch get-togethers.

Somedays you’ve got time to prep a meal right before you want to eat it. Other days, you just don’t have the time.

That’s when freezer meals and other make-ahead dishes come into play.

You can do the cooking when it’s convenient to do so and enjoy the dish when you’re ready — without a lot of last minute hassle.

Overnight Egg Bake with Bacon and Cheddar

One recipe that fits this bill perfectly is the Overnight Egg Bake. A creamy egg custard enrobes tender bread cubes studded with bacon and cheddar cheese. It’s an ideal make-ahead breakfast or lunch.

What is in an overnight egg bake?

An egg bake is basically cubed bread, cheese and/or meat and/or veggies, covered in an egg and milk mixture that is refrigerated overnight and baked in the morning.

In some ways it’s like a savory bread pudding.

Of course, you don’t have to add the bread, like this Spicy Turkey Egg Bake

What kind of bread should I use in an egg bake?

Since the bread cubes absorb moisture from the egg custard, dry bread is best for an egg bake.

Bakery bread that is close to its “sell by” date is often marked down in order for it to sell quickly before it spoils. This bread is perfectly good, but may be a bit dry, making it perfect for egg bakes!

What size pan do you use for an egg bake?

Usually egg bakes are prepared in 9 x 13-inch baking pans. However, if you enjoy making things in individual servings, be sure to see the notes for directions in making single-serve portions.

Can I freeze an egg bake?

Egg casseroles freeze beautifully. Assemble, wrap, and freeze prior to the baking step in the recipe.

The night before you want to serve it, remove the dish from the freezer and place it in the fridge to thaw. Bake as normal in the morning.

How do you make an overnight egg bake?

An egg bake is super easy to prepare, especially since you can make it several hours in advance.

Assemble all your ingredients. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the bread cubes across the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the cheese and bacon over the bread cubes. Whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the bread cubes. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for several hours. Preheat the oven and bake. Serve hot or warm.

How can I make this recipe economically?

This recipe isn’t expensive to make, even from scratch. However, there are things that you can do to make your sweet treat even better.

Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale . When you see a good price on bacon, cheese, and eggs, stock up and stash for later.

When you see a good price on bacon, cheese, and eggs, stock up and stash for later. Use up leftovers. This is a great recipe for using up whatever you have left from other meals: obviously cubed bread and shredded or crumbled cheeses, but also chopped onion and cooked veggies. You can swap out the bacon for leftover ham or sausage if you have it.

How I make this recipe easily:

This recipe really couldn’t be easier than it is, but having the right kitchen tools can really make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Over time, I’ve honed my collection so that they are perfect for my needs.

Here are the tools that I use for this recipe:

stainless steel mixing bowl – I’m not sure you have too many of these.

silicone spatula/spoon – I have two or three of these – so convenient!

USA muffin pans – best pans ever. No need to spray and they easily wash up.

wire whisk – be sure to get one with a sealed barrel so that dish water won’t get stuck in the crevises.

If you prepare this recipe, be sure to take a picture and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up! If you prepare this recipe, be sure to take a picture and hashtag it. I can't wait to see what you cook up!

Print Recipe 4 from 1 vote Overnight Egg Bake with Bacon and Cheddar Breakfast comes together easily in this hearty egg casserole. Studded with bacon and cheddar cheese this egg bake is one you'll want on repeat. Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 25 mins Total Time 35 mins Servings: 8 Calories: 343 kcal Author: Jessica Fisher Ingredients 6 cup bread cubes

5 oz cheddar cheese (shredded) (1 1/4 cup)

4 slices bacon cooked and chopped

9 egg beaten

2 cup milk

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper Instructions Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the bread cubes across the bottom. Sprinkle the cheese and bacon over the bread cubes.

In large mixing bowl, combine the egg, milk, mustard, and black pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and cheese mixture.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, preheat the oven to 350F. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until puffy, and a tester inserted comes out clean.

Serve hot or warm. Notes Note: To freeze: Once assembled, place the dish, covered, in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before proceeding with the baking step. To prepare individual servings: divide the ingredients among 8 large ramekins. Proceed with the recipe, adjusting the baking time to 20 to 25 minutes. Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Nutritional values are approximate and based on 1/8 the recipe. Nutrition Calories: 343 kcal | Carbohydrates: 24 g | Protein: 19 g | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 8 g | Cholesterol: 217 mg | Sodium: 504 mg | Potassium: 266 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 555 IU | Calcium: 290 mg | Iron: 3 mg

This post was originally published on July 2, 2009. It has been updated for content and clarity.