Broccoli Bacon Breakfast Casserole (No Crust Quiche)

This Bacon Cheddar Breakfast Casserole is the make-ahead brunch dish that feeds a crowd with almost zero effort. Tender broccoli, crispy thick-cut bacon, and melty sharp cheddar in a creamy herb egg custard that’s baked until golden and set in under 25 minutes.

If you’re a quiche person, this breakfast casserole is basically quiche’s easier, low carb cousin. Same creamy egg custard vibes, half the effort, none of the crust drama.

It’s the kind of casserole that looks like you planned ahead (because you did) and tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. Perfect for Easter brunch, holiday mornings, or any weekend when you want a proper hot breakfast without standing over the stove.

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Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Casserole

• Ready in under 30 minutes — faster than most breakfast casseroles
• Make ahead friendly — prep everything the night before and bake in the morning
• Feeds 6 — perfect for Easter brunch or holiday gatherings
• Low carb — only 1.27g net carbs per serving
• One dish cleanup — fewer dishes means more time enjoying brunch

Shop This Recipe

• 8×8 Casserole Dish — the right size for this recipe; a larger dish will make it too thin
• Large Non-Stick Sauté Pan — for quickly cooking the broccoli before baking
• Thick-Cut Bacon — worth it every time; regular bacon works but thick-cut is better

Greta

Bacon Cheddar Breakfast Casserole

Broccoli, bacon, and sharp cheddar in a creamy herb egg custard. Baked until golden and perfect. Kind of like a quiche.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 23 minutes mins

Cooling time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Breakfast

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
• 3 c. broccoli florets
• 3 T. water
• 1 c. sharp cheddar or Colby Jack cheese shredded
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon cooked crispy and crumbled
• 4 large eggs
• ½ c. heavy cream
• ½ t. onion powder
• ½ t. garlic powder
• ¼ t. dried thyme
• ½ t. dried oregano
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli and water and cook for 2–3 minutes until the broccoli softens slightly and turns bright green. Remove from heat.
3. Transfer broccoli to the prepared casserole dish and spread into an even layer. Top with shredded cheese and crumbled bacon.
4. Whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano. Season with salt and black pepper. Pour evenly over the broccoli, cheese, and bacon.
5. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the casserole is set and lightly golden on top.
6. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before slicing — this helps it set up properly for clean slices. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

This recipe can be doubled. Make it in a 9x13 pan and increase cooking time by about 10 minutes. 

Tips & Easy Variations

• Don’t skip the cooling time: 10 minutes of resting lets the custard firm up so you get clean slices instead of a runny mess
• Make ahead: Assemble the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Pour the egg mixture over right before baking for best results
• Shred your own cheese: pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that affect the melt; freshly shredded is noticeably better
• Swap the vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or diced bell peppers all work beautifully here
• Add some heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the egg mixture adds a nice kick

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Can I use milk instead of heavy cream? A: You can. Whole milk works fine. Heavy cream gives you a richer, creamier custard but milk is a lighter option that still sets well.

Q: My casserole is jiggly in the center. Is it done? A: A slight jiggle is okay — it will firm up during the 10 minute rest. If it’s very liquid in the center, give it another 3–5 minutes and check again.

Q: Can I freeze this? A: Yes. Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 325°F covered with foil until warmed through.

Q: Can I double this recipe? A: Yes. Use a 9×13 dish and increase the bake time by about 10 minutes, checking for doneness at 25 minutes.

Other Tasty Brunch Recipes

• Baked Eggs in Avocado — Individual avocado halves baked with eggs and topped with melty cheese and crispy bacon. The five-minute Easter brunch dish that looks completely impressive.
• Ham & Cheese Omelet — Fluffy eggs folded around savory ham and melty sharp cheddar. A classic hot breakfast that comes together in under 20 minutes.
• Hash Brown Crusted Frittata — A crispy golden hash brown crust filled with pancetta, colorful peppers, and Italian cheese. It’s a brunch dish that makes you look like a culinary genius.
• Lemon Poppy Seed Coffee Cake (pictured) — Bright, citrusy, and perfectly springy. This make-ahead coffee cake disappears at brunch before you’ve even had a slice yourself.

This Bacon Cheddar Breakfast Casserole is the brunch recipe that makes everyone think you’re a morning person. You’re not, you just prepped it the night before. Your secret is safe here.