Savory French Toast Casserole

Written by on in Breakfast

This Savory French Toast Casserole is a perfect addition to your brunch table. It is easy to make and sure to please.

This Savory French Toast Casserole is perfect to serve at a brunch or just a family breakfast. It is loaded with sweet caramelized onions, nutrient rich spinach and rich and flavorful feta and cheddar cheeses. They are all combined with eggs and poured over cubes of ciabatta bread and left to absorb overnight in the refrigerator. It’s the perfect meal to serve when you have a busy morning ahead. Just remove it from the refrigerator and bake, how easy is that? It is not only easy to make but it is also full of flavor and a real crowd pleaser.

How To Make Savory French Toast

I peeled and sliced my onions and placed them in a large frying pan over medium low heat. I drizzled them with olive oil and some fresh thyme and stirred to combine. I added a small amount of granulated sugar to help in the caramelization process and allowed the onions to cook for 35 minutes stirring frequently so that they didn’t burn. If you feel that the onions are cooking too quickly and starting to burn slightly, turn down the heat.

While my onions were caramelizing I prepared my bread. Now I chose ciabatta bread but a french bread will also work. I cut my bread into cubes and placed them in a large bowl on the side for later use.

When my onions are cooked through I stirred in some minced garlic and continued cooking for 2 minutes. Then I deglazed the pan with a small amount of balsamic vinegar and continued cooking until all the vinegar was absorbed into the onions.

While the balsamic vinegar was absorbing into the onions I washed and dried my spinach. Once I felt that my onions were done I poured the spinach into the frying pan and tossed with the caramelized onions to coat. I continued to cook the spinach until it was wilted, then set it to the side to cool.

While waiting for the spinach to cool I cracked my eggs into a large mixing bowl. I added the milk and whisked to combine. Once combined I added the feta cheese, salt and pepper and once again whisked to combine.

Spray a 9” x 13” casserole dish with cooking spray and pour in the ciabatta bread cubes. Scatter the cooled spinach on top using the back of a wooden spoon to spread it out evenly. Pour the egg mixture over the top and once again using the back of a wooden spoon, press the bread cubes down so that the egg is absorbed into it. Sprinkle the top with cheddar cheese and a pinch of both salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning preheat the oven to 375º. Remove casserole dish from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature. Remove the plastic wrap and place in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and golden brown in color. Remove from oven and serve.

Savory French Toast:

Ingredients:

  • 1 Loaf of Ciabatta bread or French bread cut into cubes
  • 1 Large onion sliced thin
  • 1 Teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 1 Teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 Box baby spinach ( 5oz.) rinsed and dried
  • 10 Large eggs
  • 1 1/4 Cup milk
  • 5 oz. crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 1/2 Cups cheddar cheese shredded.

Instructions:

  1. Place olive oil in a large frying pan over medium low heat. Add the minced onions and allow to sauté for 5 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and fresh thyme and continue sautéing for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring frequently so they caramelize evenly. Add the minced garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes. Pour in the balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan and continue cooking until absorbed. Add the spinach and continue cooking until wilted. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  2. While the spinach is cooling, crack the eggs and place them in a large mixing bowl along with the milk and whisk to combine. Add the feta cheese, salt and pepper and whisk to incorporate, then set to the side.
  3. Spray a 9” x 13” casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour Ciabatta bread cubes into the dish. Scatter the sautéed onion spinach mixture on top and spread out evenly with the back of a wooden spoon. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and press down with the back of the wooden spoon to allow all the bread cubes to absorb the liquid. Sprinkle the top with the cheddar cheese and a pinch of sat and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.
  4. The next morning preheat the oven to350º. Remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature. Remove the plastic wrap from the top and place in the preheated oven and allow to bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until cheese is completely melted and golden brown in color. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly, then serve.
  5. Enjoy.