Cheesy Egg Casserole Recipe with Bread - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

FAQs

Why is my egg casserole rubbery? ›

Don't Overcook Your Eggs

The best way to make sure your eggs don't turn dry and rubbery is to not overcook them. When less heat is applied, there isn't time to squeeze out all the moisture. So your eggs stay tender, not chewy.

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.

As for the cooking process, frittata is made by briefly cooking an egg-based custard in a cast-iron pan on the stove, then baking it for a short time in the oven. Meanwhile, the egg custard in a breakfast casserole is poured over layers of other ingredients in a deep baking dish before going into the oven.

Cook or bake until a thermometer inserted at the center shows 160° F or a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. You may find it difficult to tell if a knife shows uncooked egg or melted cheese in some casseroles and other combination dishes that are thick or heavy and contain cheese – lasagna, for example.

If the proteins are overheated or overbeaten, the bonds will tighten and squeeze out the moisture, leaving the eggs dry, firm and rubbery.

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

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. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

At this point, you can either bake it right away or refrigerate the casserole overnight and for up to 24 hours. During this time, the flavors mingle together and the bread has a chance to soak up some of the liquid and flavor.

Follow these serving guidelines for eggs and egg dishes.

Never leave cooked eggs or egg dishes out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours or for more than 1 hour when temperatures are above 90° F. Bacteria that can cause illness grow quickly at warm temperatures (between 40° F and 140° F).

Can You Make Egg Casserole Ahead of Time? This easy egg casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast. Simply combine the ingredients the night before and place the mixture in a prepared baking dish, then cover it tightly with storage wrap or foil. In the morning, bake the casserole according to the recipe.

A frittata is similar to a quiche without the crust, and is often described as a thick omelette packed with ingredients like vegetables, cheese or ham. A strata is a breakfast casserole made with eggs and bread and is often described as an easy-to-make, savoury bread pudding.

What is a crustless egg dish called? ›

In the most basic framework, a quiche has a pie crust and a frittata does not. A quiche is an egg custard pie and a frittata is, well, a crustless quiche.

A frittata is an Italian egg dish like an omelet or quiche but lazy and forgiving. It's lazy because the recipe is easy, and you don't have to do the tricky omelet fold. It's also forgiving since you don't have to make a crust, and it uses no cream or milk, unlike an omelet or quiche.

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.

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

After baking, leftover egg casserole can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed within 3-4 days. Leftovers are delicious reheated in the microwave.

Identifying Overcooked Eggs

Overcooked hard-boiled eggs can be identified by their rubbery texture and unpleasant odor. When you overcook an egg, the egg white becomes tough and rubbery, making it difficult to chew. The yolk may also have a chalky texture and a greenish-gray ring around the outside.

Keep your eggs moving. Every few minutes, stir and fold your eggs to break up any large curds, and scrape the bottom of your pan often to stop sheets from forming. Cook until you no longer have visible liquid in the pan, about five to seven minutes. Remove immediately – leaving eggs in a hot pan can leave them rubbery.

Lower the heat slightly – so the eggs don't crack due to being bashed around but water is still at a gentle boil. Start the timer – 6 minutes for runny yolks, 8 minutes for soft boiled, 10 minutes for classic hard boiled, 15 minutes for unpleasant rubbery whites and powdery dry yolks.