Make Ahead

Easy Egg Casserole for a Crowd

by:
November 24, 2016
3.5
2 Ratings
  • Serves 8-12
Author Notes

A single recipe ought to feed 8-12 guests depending on accompanying fruit, bread, potato, etc dishes. Can be prepared a day or two in advance and kept refrigerated, covered until final baking. The entire dish can be assembled easily in less than an hour. Adapted from an idea first found on the cloth bag of a delicious Johnston County Country ham. —foodforthought

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • The Casserole
  • 1 dozen scrambled eggs
  • 2 cups Mornay sauce (recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup sautéed red pepper
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • Mornay Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup whole milk, heated to just short of boiling
  • 1/2 cup best sharp cheddar, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
  1. The Casserole
  2. Butter a ceramic casserole well (9x13 +/-).
  3. Scramble the eggs in 3-4 T butter (embrace your inner Julia), stopping cooking when they are still very wet.
  4. Place scrambled eggs, Mornay sauce, pepper and parsley in casserole. Gently mix together as if you were tossing a salad. Try to avoid over-mixing. You are after a gorgeous, but coarse texture sprinkled with holiday green and red flecks.
  5. Sprinkle crumbs and Parmesan over all.
  6. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 400 F or until sauce bubbles up a bit and crumbs turn golden. Start watching the casserole after 15 minutes or so. Cooking time may vary substantially if ingredients are already hot or refrigerated.
  7. Optional additions * Artichoke hearts * Well-sautéed mushrooms (NO moisture * Chopped fresh jalapeño peppers * Bacon * Country ham * Sausage
  8. We usually serve crowds larger than 4 buffet style. For very large (>10) crowds when we want to make serving simpler and provide some level of portion control, we'll use the casserole mixture to roll up in spinach crepes.
  1. Mornay Sauce
  2. Melt butter in saucepan to bubbling
  3. Sprinkle flour into butter
  4. Cook gently until flour turns golden
  5. Remove pan from heat, add milk
  6. Return to low heat
  7. Stir often with flat bladed spatula to scrape bottom and corners of pan. Sauce will bubble eventually and noticeably thicken.
  8. Remove from heat, Add cheeses and stir until smooth, heating very gently if needed to melt cheddar completely
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1 Review

YMS
YMS November 13, 2020
I'm not sure why there have been no other reviews but this recipe; perhaps because of it's unassuming name and no enticingly styled cover photo. Don't mind any of that, this is certainly one of the hidden gems on Food52. I am enthusiastic enough about this recipe that I decided to write a review. Its rich, forgiving, easy to make, presents beautifully, and its versatility allows you to tweak the flavor profile. It has quickly become my go-to brunch casserole recipe. Mind you, this is not for breakfast at all - this decadence is decidedly for brunch. Both thumbs up.