Recipe Background
An Everything Bagel Casserole born from excess bagels became a bakery favorite, known for its savory layers and convenience.
When I first opened my bakery, I was quickly faced with the issue of excess bagels. They'd sell like hotcakes in the morning, but by afternoon I had day-old everything bagels piling up. I thought about tossing them—until I remembered the brilliance of a casserole. So, one afternoon, I chopped those bagels into bite-size pieces and crafted what would become a house favorite: the Everything Bagel Casserole. A friend brought over a bell pepper from her garden as a gift for my burgeoning venture, which I decided to chop and throw in for a touch of color and freshness. Besides, it paired perfectly with the cherry tomatoes I always kept for sandwiches.
With leftover bacon from breakfast orders, I cooked and added a smoky flavor that melded beautifully with the eggs and milk. A splash of creamy texture from some cream cheese was just the indulgent touch I needed. Mixing everything with a touch of ground mustard gave it a surprising kick. One tip I’ll share is to let the casserole rest after baking. This ensures that the flavors settle, and you get those clean slices that make serving a breeze.
Years later, this casserole isn’t just a means to reduce waste. It’s a staple at my bakery’s weekend brunches, loved for its comforting, savory layers. People are often surprised by how something so simple as letting it sit can truly elevate the dish. I always recommend a generous sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning to finish, giving it that familiar flavor punch that regulars keep coming back for.
Ingredients
- 3 day-old everything bagels cut into bite-size pieces (about 6 cups)
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- 6 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 9 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese of your choice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 ounces cream cheese cut into bite-size pieces
- everything bagel seasoning optional, to taste
- scallions optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Grease a 9x13-inch oven-safe dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Layer the chopped bagel pieces, pepper, the tomatoes, and the bacon in the dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, the milk, the cheese, the ground mustard, the salt, and the pepper.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bagel mixture in the dish.
- Add the pieces of the cream cheese evenly over the egg mixture, then sprinkle the casserole with the everything bagel seasoning.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the center is set and the edges are golden-brown.
- Transfer from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes.
- Top with the scallions and more of the everything bagel seasoning and serve.
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