This Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole brings all the classic flavors of the beloved brunch staple — savory Canadian bacon, soft English muffins soaked in a rich egg custard, and a silky homemade hollandaise drizzled over the top — into one easy, make-ahead dish. You assemble everything the night before, refrigerate it overnight, and simply bake it in the morning. It feeds a crowd beautifully and wows every guest at the table without requiring you to poach a single egg.
Small saucepan Used to create a double boiler for the hollandaise sauce
Heatproof bowl Must fit over the saucepan without touching the water
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Plastic wrap For covering the casserole during overnight chilling
Aluminum foil For covering the casserole during the first 30 minutes of baking
Ladle or spoon For drizzling hollandaise over individual servings
Ingredients
For the Casserole
6English muffinssplit and cut into 1-inch pieces
12ozCanadian bacon340g, chopped into bite-sized pieces
8large eggs
2cupswhole milk480ml
1tsponion powder
1/2tspgarlic powder
saltto taste
black pepperto taste
For the Quick Hollandaise
3egg yolks
1tbspfresh lemon juice
1/2cupunsalted butter115g, melted
cayenne pepperpinch
Optional Garnish
fresh chiveschopped, for serving
paprikapinch, for serving
Instructions
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Spread half of the cut English muffin pieces in an even layer across the bottom.
Scatter all of the chopped Canadian bacon evenly over the first layer of English muffins, then top with the remaining muffin pieces in a second even layer.
Whisk together the 8 eggs, 2 cups whole milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until fully combined and no streaks of egg yolk remain.
Pour the egg custard evenly over the layered muffins and bacon, then gently press the top layer down to help all the bread begin absorbing the liquid.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 12 hours.
Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving so the custard finishes setting.
Over a gentle double boiler, whisk 3 egg yolks and 1 tbsp lemon juice for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened, then slowly drizzle in the melted butter while whisking constantly until smooth and creamy.
Stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper and taste for seasoning, adjusting with lemon juice or salt as needed. If the sauce thickens too much, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water to loosen it.
Scoop portions of the casserole onto plates and drizzle warm hollandaise over each serving. Garnish with chopped chives and a pinch of paprika if desired.
Notes
Overnight rest is essential: The full 8-hour soak gives this casserole its rich, custardy interior. Avoid cutting this time short for best results.
Use day-old English muffins: Slightly stale muffins absorb the custard more evenly without becoming mushy.
Whole milk only: Lower-fat milk produces a thinner custard that does not set as richly. Whole milk is strongly recommended.
Hollandaise tip: Keep the double boiler heat very gentle and add the butter in a slow, thin stream. High heat or adding butter too fast are the main causes of a broken sauce.
Fix a broken hollandaise: If the sauce breaks, whisk in a teaspoon of cold water while whisking vigorously to bring it back together.
Make-ahead window: Do not refrigerate the assembled casserole for more than 12 hours or the bread can become too soft and lose its texture after baking.
Smoked salmon variation: Substitute Canadian bacon with smoked salmon or lox and add fresh dill and capers for an elegant twist.
Storage: Leftover casserole keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 325°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or microwave on medium power in 60-second intervals.
Freezing: Baked casserole portions can be frozen for up to 2 months. Always make the hollandaise fresh when reheating — it does not freeze well.
Doubling the recipe: Use two 9x13 baking dishes and make the hollandaise in two separate batches for the best emulsification.