Name: Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4-5 strips bacon, chopped; 3 everything bagels, chopped; 4 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk; ½ cup heavy cream; 4 ounces cream cheese; 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; Scallions, chopped, for garnish

There’s something incredibly comforting about a savory morning bake, and this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe hits all the right notes. Think crispy bacon, the nutty crunch of toasted everything bagels, and a creamy custard that’s utterly irresistible. Trust me, it’s a game changer for breakfast or brunch!

The dish is a baked casserole in a metal pan with a golden brown top layer featuring toasted bread cubes and crispy bacon pieces scattered throughout. The bread cubes have a rough texture with some darker toasted edges. There are soft dollops of white cheese or cream, slightly melted and mixed into the surface. Underneath, a creamy yellow egg mixture fills the pan, showing a smooth and slightly shiny texture. The layers blend together with a mix of crunchy and soft elements giving a warm, hearty look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m absolutely obsessed with this casserole because it brings together bold flavors and easy prep in one dish. Whether you’re feeding the family or hosting guests, it’s satisfying, crowd-pleasing, and leftovers taste even better the next day.

Flavor-packed: Everything bagels bring tons of savory depth with those classic seeds and seasonings.
Convenient: You can prep it the night before and bake it fresh in the morning.
Perfectly textured: Crispy edges meet a soft, custardy center in every bite.
Feeds a crowd: Makes 6 hearty servings—ideal for brunches or weekend breakfasts.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, I recommend picking out fresh, good-quality ingredients—you’ll really taste the difference here. Using authentic everything bagels and sharp cheddar sets this casserole apart from the rest.

Flat lay of crispy chopped bacon strips, roughly chopped everything bagels with visible seeds, four whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of whole milk, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a few cubes of fresh cream cheese, a small white bowl of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a small white bowl containing kosher salt, a small white bowl with black pepper, and a few fresh green scallion stalks neatly arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bacon: Adds a smoky, crispy element and renders flavorful fat for toasting the bagels.
Everything bagels: The star of the show, chopped into pieces that soak up all the custardy goodness.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the custard base.
Whole milk: Balances creaminess without overpowering the dish.
Heavy cream: Makes the custard extra silky and indulgent.
Cream cheese: Adds tang and creaminess layered throughout.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Brings a tangy, nutty bite that melts beautifully.
Kosher salt: Enhances flavors without being too harsh.
Black pepper: Adds a gentle heat to round out the seasoning.
Scallions: Provide a fresh, bright garnish that cuts through the richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe is wonderfully versatile, so don’t hesitate to tailor it to your taste buds or dietary needs. Whether you want to swap ingredients or jazz it up with extra flavors, it’s all about making it your own cozy morning favorite.

Vegetarian Variation: I love making this casserole without the bacon sometimes—adding sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach instead keeps it hearty and delicious without the meat.
Gluten-Free Twist: If gluten’s a concern, I find that using gluten-free bagels works beautifully without sacrificing any of the signature texture or taste.
Herb Infusion: For a fresh burst, stirring in chopped chives or parsley right before serving adds a lovely pop of color and brightness to the rich casserole.
Lower Fat Version: I’ve experimented with reduced-fat cheese and milk to lighten it up—still tasty but with a lighter feel.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe

A serving of a layered casserole sits on a white plate with a wavy edge, placed on a white marbled surface. The dish has three main layers: a base layer of soft, golden-brown bread pieces, a thick middle layer of creamy, white cheese mixed with melted yellow cheese, and a top layer scattered with crispy reddish-brown bacon bits and chopped green onions. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate, and a glass of bright orange juice is blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Crispy Bacon Magic

Start by chopping 4-5 strips of bacon and cooking them in a medium skillet over medium heat. You’ll want them perfectly crispy, which usually takes about 5-6 minutes. The smell alone is irresistible! Once done, transfer the bacon bits to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, but don’t toss that flavorful bacon grease—keep it sizzling in the skillet for the next step.

Step 2: Toast Those Everything Bagels

Next, toss your chopped everything bagels into the skillet with the bacon grease. Stir them around gently for 3-4 minutes until they turn golden brown and a bit crispy. This toasting step adds such a wonderful crunch and infuses the bagels with that smoky bacon flavor, making the casserole extra delicious.

Step 3: Whisk Up the Custard

While your bagels are toasting, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, and ½ cup heavy cream in a bowl until everything is smooth and blended. This rich custard will soak into the bagel pieces, creating that luscious, creamy texture we all crave in a breakfast casserole.

Step 4: Layer with Love

Grease an 8×8 baking dish lightly and start layering! Spread half of your toasted bagel pieces on the bottom. Then add half of the 4 ounces of cream cheese (cut into small chunks), half of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and half of those crispy bacon bits. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, building flavor and texture with every sprinkle.

Step 5: Pour, Press, and Season

Pour your egg custard evenly over the layered casserole, then use a fork gently to press down and help it seep between all those layers. Don’t forget to sprinkle ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper on top to bring all the flavors together perfectly.

Step 6: Chill or Bake Right Away

For the best flavor and texture, cover your casserole and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours or overnight. This gives the bagels time to soak in that custard and flavor. But if you’re short on time, no worries—you can bake it immediately and still enjoy a fantastic dish.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 40 minutes until the center is set and the edges are golden and crispy. Keep an eye on it near the end—you want that beautiful golden top without overcooking.

Step 8: Cool, Garnish, and Serve

After removing from the oven, let your casserole cool for about 10 minutes so it firms up and slices nicely. Sprinkle chopped scallions over the top for a fresh, zesty finish, then dig in while it’s warm and comforting. This is breakfast bliss!

Top Tip

These tips will help you make the most of your Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe, ensuring it turns out flavorful, perfectly textured, and simple to prepare.

Chill Before Baking: From my experience, letting the casserole sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight really lets the bagels soak up the custard, resulting in a creamier, more cohesive bake.
Using Bacon Grease: Don’t toss out the bacon grease! Tossing your bagel pieces in it before toasting adds an incredible depth of flavor and gives a nice crispness that’s hard to beat.
Even Layering: When you layer the toasted bagels, cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon, be sure to distribute evenly. This way, each bite has a great balance of all those delicious elements.
Avoid Overbaking: Keep an eye on the bake time — 40 minutes at 350°F is perfect. Overbaking can dry it out, but the edges should be golden and a little crispy for the best texture contrast.

How to Serve Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a white baking tray filled with multiple layers; the bottom layer consists of golden-brown cubed bread pieces, scattered with crisp bacon strips and bright orange shredded cheese. On top of these, there are white dollops of cream cheese. A woman’s hand is pouring a creamy, light yellow sauce with small black pepper specks from a clear measuring cup over the layers, about to cover the ingredients. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh chopped scallions are a classic garnish to add a pop of color and a mild oniony crunch that complements the richness beautifully. You can also sprinkle fresh parsley or chives if you want a herby twist. A little cracked black pepper on top right before serving adds a nice final touch, too.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs wonderfully with light, fresh sides like a simple fruit salad or sliced avocado for some creaminess. For something heartier, try crispy roasted potatoes or a green salad with a bright lemon vinaigrette to balance out the savory richness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your leftover casserole covered in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to five days, allowing you to enjoy this tasty meal multiple times throughout the week without losing flavor or texture.

Freezing

You can freeze portions of the casserole for up to 2 months. Wrap airtight in plastic wrap and then foil, or place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes until warmed through. If reheating the entire casserole, pop it back into a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes, to revive that crispy edge and melty center.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular bagels instead of everything bagels?

Absolutely! While everything bagels provide that signature seasoning blend, regular bagels will still work well. You might want to add a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning on top for extra flavor.

Is this casserole good for meal prep?

Definitely. The casserole keeps well in the fridge for up to five days and reheats nicely, making it a convenient option for busy mornings throughout the week.

Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Yes! Simply omit the bacon and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra flavor and texture while keeping it deliciously savory.

What’s the best way to get crispy edges?

Using the bacon grease to toast the bagels before layering helps, along with baking uncovered at 350°F for the full 40 minutes. This creates those wonderfully crispy edges we love.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so comforting about a warm breakfast casserole loaded with all those familiar everything bagel flavors – it’s like brunch in every bite. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for an easy, satisfying start to your day, this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole Recipe hits the spot every time. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—here’s to cozy mornings and delicious memories!