Easy Cornbread Breakfast Casserole: The Perfect Weekend Brunch
This is an incredibly delicious casserole. Perfect for a weekend breakfast, brunch, or even breakfast for dinner! It’s so hearty and includes the fabulous Denver omelet flavors of eggs, ham, bell peppers, and cheese all loaded into a cornbread casserole. This casserole serves 6 and each serving has 294 calories and 10 grams of fat. Since it freezes great, you can make it over the weekend and freeze the leftovers to enjoy for a quick weekday meal.
Why You'll Love This Skinnylightful Cornbread Breakfast Casserole
My indulgent Skinnylightful Cornbread Breakfast Casserole is a delicious and nutritious way to start your day. It's a healthier twist on a classic comfort food, combining the flavors of cornbread with a savory egg custard. Packed with protein and fiber, this casserole is perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekends. It's also incredibly versatile, making it a great option for meal prep or a crowd-pleasing brunch dish.A Breakdown of Ingredients for a Skinnylightful Cornbread Breakfast Casserole
This indulgent Skinnylightful Cornbread Breakfast Casserole is a delicious and nutritious way to start your day. It's a healthier twist on a classic comfort food, combining the flavors of cornbread with a savory egg custard. Packed with protein and fiber, this casserole is perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekends. It's also incredibly versatile, making it a great option for meal prep or a crowd-pleasing brunch dish. Here's a closer look at the key ingredients:- Onions and Red Bell Peppers: These vibrant vegetables add a burst of color, flavor, and essential nutrients. Onions are a good source of antioxidants, while red bell peppers are rich in vitamin C.
- Reduced-Fat Butter or Smart Balance Light: These healthier alternatives to traditional butter offer a similar taste and texture, but with fewer calories and saturated fat. They're perfect for those seeking to reduce their fat intake without sacrificing flavor.
- Lean Ham: This lean protein source adds a savory flavor and boosts the protein content of the casserole. Opting for a high-quality, low-sodium ham ensures a healthier and more flavorful dish.
- Fat-Free Milk: A lower-calorie, lower-fat alternative to whole milk, fat-free milk adds moisture and richness to the casserole without the excess fat and calories. It helps create a creamy and custardy texture.
- Eggs and Egg Whites: This classic combination provides high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and minerals. Whole eggs offer a complete protein source, while egg whites are a leaner option.
- Garlic Powder: This versatile seasoning adds a subtle flavor of garlic without the need for fresh cloves. It's a great way to enhance the flavor of your dish without adding extra calories.
- Jiffy's Corn Muffin Mix: This convenient mix provides a quick and easy way to create a delicious cornbread base for your casserole. It's a great option for busy cooks who want to save time without sacrificing flavor.
- Nonfat Plain Yogurt or Nonfat Greek Yogurt: These dairy powerhouses provide a creamy texture, protein, and probiotics. Greek yogurt is known for its gut-health benefits, while cottage cheese is a good source of calcium and protein.
- Light Cheddar Cheese: This lower-calorie cheese adds a melty, cheesy flavor and a satisfying texture to the casserole. It's a great way to indulge in cheese without overindulging in calories.
How to Make This Decadent Cornbread Breakfast Casserole
Here's how to make it:- Prep Your Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a 9x9-inch baking dish. This temperature ensures a perfectly cooked casserole with a golden-brown top.
- Sauté Your Veggies: Microwave chopped onions and red bell peppers with butter until softened. Cooling this mixture helps prevent the eggs from cooking too quickly when added to the batter.
- Create the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the cooled vegetable mixture with ham, milk, eggs, egg whites, garlic powder, and pepper. Gently stir in the cornbread mix, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
- Layer Your Casserole: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Dollop yogurt over the batter and sprinkle with cheese. The yogurt adds a tangy flavor and a creamy texture, while the cheese provides a savory, melty topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Customize Your Flavor: Experiment with different herbs like thyme or rosemary to add a unique twist.
- Make It Your Own: Incorporate your favorite vegetables, cheeses, or meats to suit your taste.
- Meal Prep Magic: Prepare in advance, refrigerate, or freeze for a convenient and delicious breakfast.
- Reheating Tips: Reheat individual slices in the microwave or the entire casserole in the oven.
Helpful Tips About this Recipe
Makes 6 servings (each serving, 1 slice)
Shopping Tips
Most supermarkets sell Jiffy corn muffin mix in the baking aisle. If you can’t find it use another brand that is about 8.5 ounces. Trader Joe’s sells (8 oz) packages of Black Forest ham. It’s uncured and contains ‘no nitrates.’ Most health food markets sell this type of ham too.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 8-Blue
WW SmartPoints 9-Green
Shopping Tips
Most supermarkets sell Jiffy corn muffin mix in the baking aisle. If you can’t find it use another brand that is about 8.5 ounces. Trader Joe’s sells (8 oz) packages of Black Forest ham. It’s uncured and contains ‘no nitrates.’ Most health food markets sell this type of ham too.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 8-Blue
WW SmartPoints 9-Green
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1 slice 294 calories, 10g fat, 12g protein, 38g carbs, 1g fiber, 681mg sodium, 11g sugar |
| FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints 234 calories, 2g sat. fat, 7g protein, 9g sugar |
Easy Cornbread Breakfast Casserole: The Perfect Weekend Brunch
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups onions, chopped
- 1 cup red bell peppers, chopped
- 2 tablespoons reduced-fat butter or Smart Balance Light
- 1 cup (4 ounces) ham, chopped, see shopping tips
- ½ cup fat-free milk
- 2 eggs, I like using Egg-Land’s Best eggs
- 2 egg whites (¼ cup)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (8.5 oz) box Jiffy’s Corn Muffin Mix, see shopping tips
- ½ cup nonfat plain yogurt or nonfat Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup light cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a 9 x 9” baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add onions, red bell peppers, and butter. Cook in microwave on high for about 3-4 minutes until soft. Set in refrigerator to chill for 10 minutes.
- Mix together the cooled onion mixture, ham, milk, eggs, egg whites, garlic powder, and pepper in a large bowl. Blend well. Stir in cornbread mix and only stir until blended. The batter will be a bit bumpy. Spread cornbread batter into prepared pan.
- Using a rubber spatula, spread yogurt over the top of the casserole. It won’t cover completely.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly over top of yogurt.
- Bake for 45 minutes so the entire casserole will be cooked through. It will look very dark golden brown.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into 6 slices. This casserole may be made ahead of time, refrigerated, and reheated. It also freezes great!
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSodium: 681mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gBlue Smart Points: 8Green Smart Points: 9Plus Points: 8
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
This was very good. I made changes. I sautéed the onions and peppers in a little bit of olive oil. My ham steak was 7 ounces and i used all of it. 4 ounces would not have been enough, and the additional 3 ounces changed the calorie count very little.
I will not spread the yogurt on top, just add the cheese. The combo formed to much of a crust.
Biggest change. Oven temp should be 400. 425 is way too long. It will be very overcooked at that temp.
Over all, this was a very good recipe, and I will absolutely mark again.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your ideas, Kathy! Much appreciated.
Wishing you all the very best,
Nancy