Croque Madame Breakfast Casserole Recipe - Foodness Gracious (2024)

FAQs

Why is my breakfast casserole soggy? ›

Incorrect oven temperature - Casseroles that are baked at an oven temperature that is too low may not cook evenly, resulting in a soggy top and a firm or crunchy bottom. Too much liquid - Casseroles that have too much liquid may not be able to absorb all of the moisture, leading to a soggy top.

For a puffy egg casserole, you can prevent falling by cooking at a lower temperature, as with this recipe.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C). Bake the casserole, uncovered, until the top is golden, edges are crisp, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40–45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

The best way to eat a Croque Madame is to use a knife and fork to cut into the sandwich and enjoy each bite with a bit of everything – the crispy bread, the creamy béchamel, the gooey cheese, the savory ham, and the rich, runny egg yolk.

The solution for watery casseroles is instant potato mash powder or cornflour - slake (mix with a little water) at first or it will go lumpy. Stir well. Alternatively, don't add so much water at first, especially if you're using a slow cooker.

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

The casserole is covered and refrigerated overnight to allow the liquid ingredients to be absorbed into the bread. This is a perishable mixture and should be cooked the morning or day after assembly. Bake in an oven set no lower than 325 °F. Most recipes suggest 350 °F.

Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness.

If you've got raw egg yolks or whites left over from a recipe which you don't want to waste (let's face it, why would you?), you can store them in the fridge as long as you plan to use them within the next few days.

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Many casseroles seem to improve in flavour if kept overnight (cool them quickly and keep them in a refrigerator, by the way, once they're cold). This means it's quite possible to make two casseroles while the oven is in full swing, and keep one for the next day.

The USDA recommends that cooked eggs and egg dishes should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking and consumed within 3-4 days. Leaving cooked eggs out overnight at room temperature increases the risk of bacteria growth, which can lead to food poisoning.

When the sandwich features a fried egg, it's called a croque madame, as the egg resembles a woman's wide-brimmed hat. Croque madame sandwiches are sometimes served open-faced, without a slice of bread on top, like this one from @toastsforall.

A croque madame is simply a croque monsieur with a poached or fried egg on top. The difference between the two sandwiches has to do with how the egg is incorporated into the rest of the ingredients: In a croque monsieur, the bread is dipped into the beaten egg before it's cooked (French toast-style).

A croque monsieur (French pronunciation: [kʁɔk məsjø]) is a hot sandwich made with ham and cheese. The name comes from the French words croque ("crunch") and monsieur ("gentleman").

Scrambled eggs can become watery if they are overcooked or cooked at too high a temperature, causing the proteins to squeeze out moisture. Cooking them gently over low to medium heat and not over-stirring can help prevent excess moisture.

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking, which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

Don't cover all ingredients with stock or you will have too much water when it starts to cook down. Like some other posters have said, corn flour or regular plain mixed and smoothed with water to a thick consistency prior to adding to the casserole will help thicken it.

By whisking them immediately before cooking you can trap more air which makes the scramble fluffy and light. Avoid overcooking – the key to this is turning off the heat just before you think the eggs are cooked, i.e. when they look wet but not runny.