A Modern Take on a Classic Brunch Dish

Traditional Eggs Benedict is known for its precise execution—perfectly poached eggs, crisped English muffins, Canadian bacon, and that luscious hollandaise poured on top. While undeniably delicious, it’s not the easiest dish to make for a group, especially when time or energy is limited.

This casserole version reimagines the format while staying true to the beloved flavor profile. Instead of poached eggs, the eggs are baked into the custard, giving the dish a creamy, fluffy texture that contrasts beautifully with the crisped English muffin base. The hollandaise is prepared separately and served warm over the top, giving you full control over how much you add to each portion. The whole dish is baked together and can be made ahead, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen overnight.

The Role of Chicken Ham: A Lean and Flavorful Choice

Instead of traditional Canadian bacon, this recipe uses chicken ham—a slightly leaner, milder option that still brings a savory richness to the dish. Its subtle smokiness complements the egg custard perfectly, and when layered with the toasted muffin pieces, it creates that signature Benedict bite in every forkful.

Chicken ham also makes this dish a bit lighter, without sacrificing the protein content. If you prefer, it can easily be swapped out for turkey ham, Canadian bacon, or even sautéed spinach or smoked salmon for a pescatarian twist. The flexibility of the protein component allows this recipe to be adapted to different tastes and dietary preferences.

The Custard: Light, Creamy, and Infused with Flavor

The egg mixture is where this casserole earns its richness. Combining eggs with heavy cream, milk, and just the right mix of seasonings results in a custard that’s creamy but not too dense, holding the dish together while allowing the muffins and ham to shine through.

Onion powder, paprika, and mustard powder add depth and subtle spice, ensuring the custard isn’t just a binder but a key contributor to the overall flavor. As the casserole bakes, the custard sets gently, giving each slice a creamy, quiche-like consistency that contrasts beautifully with the texture of the toasted muffins.

Why the Overnight Soak Matters

One of the secrets to the success of this dish is the refrigeration time. Letting the assembled casserole sit for several hours—ideally overnight—gives the English muffins time to soak up the egg mixture, creating a cohesive, well-blended dish with perfectly distributed flavor.

This not only improves the texture and richness of the final bake but also makes the recipe incredibly convenient. Everything is ready to go the next morning, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying brunch with your guests.

Golden Waffles and Creamy Cheese: Optional Enhancements

Monterey Jack cheese is listed as an optional topping, and while it’s not essential, it adds a delightful creaminess and a gentle tang that pairs wonderfully with the savory ham and smooth egg base. If you like your Eggs Benedict on the cheesier side, don’t skip this step—it creates an appealing golden top and extra indulgent texture.

You can also experiment with other cheese varieties. Swiss or Gruyère would lend a nuttier, more intense flavor, while a sprinkle of Parmesan could add a salty bite to contrast the creamy sauce.

The Hollandaise Sauce: Velvety, Bright, and Easy to Make

No Eggs Benedict-inspired dish would be complete without a good hollandaise sauce. This homemade version comes together effortlessly in a blender, making it foolproof even for novice cooks. The combination of egg yolks, cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper creates a velvety, bright sauce that cuts through the richness of the casserole.

Drizzling the warm hollandaise over the baked casserole elevates every bite, adding a final flourish of elegance and moisture. The balance between the tangy lemon, gentle heat from the cayenne, and the richness of the butter makes this sauce irresistible. It can be made just before serving or kept warm in a bowl over hot water for a short time.

A Make-Ahead Brunch Hero

One of the most appealing aspects of this casserole is its make-ahead design. Whether you’re hosting brunch or simply want to get ahead for a busy week, this dish offers ultimate convenience. All the assembly can be done the night before, and the hollandaise can be made in minutes the next morning.

Because it serves eight generously, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd. It also reheats well, making it suitable for leftovers throughout the week. To reheat, simply warm individual slices in the oven or microwave, and gently reheat the sauce using a warm water bath to preserve its smooth texture.

Nutritional Balance and Smart Indulgence

While this dish is undeniably rich, it also offers a balanced nutritional profile for a special occasion brunch. Each serving provides 17 grams of protein, which helps with satiety and supports a well-rounded meal. The use of chicken ham keeps the fat content in check, and the eggs deliver essential nutrients like vitamin B12, selenium, and choline.

If you want to lighten the dish further, you can reduce the amount of cream or substitute part of it with more milk, use low-fat cheese, or increase the veggie content by adding sautéed spinach, asparagus, or diced bell peppers. These additions boost the fiber and nutrient content without sacrificing flavor.

Tips for Success and Variations

To ensure the best result, make sure the English muffins are well toasted and buttered before assembling the casserole. This prevents them from becoming overly soggy and helps them hold their texture after baking.

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free English muffins. To add more color and nutrition, stir in some chopped green onions, fresh herbs, or blanched vegetables to the egg mixture before pouring it over the casserole.

You can also spice things up with a few dashes of hot sauce in the custard or hollandaise, or add crumbled cooked bacon on top for an even more decadent twist.

Conclusion

Eggs Benedict Casserole with Hollandaise Sauce is a showstopping dish that transforms a classic brunch favorite into something approachable, convenient, and crowd-pleasing. It takes all the components you love—crispy English muffins, savory ham, creamy eggs, and velvety hollandaise—and bakes them into a comforting, easy-to-serve casserole that looks as impressive as it tastes.

Whether you’re celebrating a holiday morning, hosting a weekend brunch, or simply want to treat your family to a gourmet breakfast without the stress, this casserole delivers. It’s elegant enough for special occasions, practical enough for make-ahead meals, and delicious enough to become a new brunch tradition in your kitchen.