Easy Microwave Breakfast Casserole

1. Combine all ingredients in a 6-inch microwave-safe serving bowl. Blend well. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then poke a few small holes in the top to vent.

2. Cook on MEDIUM-HIGH, or 80 percent power, for 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 minutes. Halfway through cooking time, turn dish a half-turn. Let stand, covered, for 30 seconds to finish cooking.

Make Ahead

You can prepare this dish the night before. Simply mix the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and refrigerate; then pop it in the microwave in the morning. Cook for a little longer than directed since it has been chilled. 

Recipe Variations

This is one of those recipes you can swap out or add ingredients without changing the integrity of the dish. If you'd like a little green in the morning, toss in some chopped fresh spinach or fresh herbs such as parsley or chives. Cooked bacon is also a great alternative to the ham, and almost any kind of cheese—from a Mexican blend to goat—can be substituted for the Cheddar. Using a multi-grain bread will add a nice dose of fiber, or if you like a little sweetness to start your day try a piece of brioche or challah.

More Breakfast Casseroles

If you have more time and would like an oven-baked casserole to serve a crowd (or last all week), there are plenty of tasty recipes to choose from. These dishes can either be assembled the night before and refrigerated, prepared and chilled until ready to bake or simply baked immediately.

Very similar to this recipe is a bacon and egg casserole that calls for almost all of the same ingredients except replacing the ham with bacon. It also uses whole slices of bread and layers the ingredients instead of mixing them all together. Egg and sausage bake uses Italian bread and pork sausage, along with spices to add flavor. Everything is mixed together and baked until cooked through. Instead of bread, an easy breakfast casserole with sausage and potatoes features hash brown potatoes, adding a breakfast favorite to the dish.