High-Protein Breakfast Casserole

This High-Protein Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate way to power up your morning, packed with a wholesome mix of eggs, creamy cottage cheese and hearty vegetables. The cottage cheese blends into the eggs, creating a rich, custard-like texture while adding a boost of protein. Baked until golden and set, this casserole is perfect for serving a hungry brunch crowd. While we enjoy the combination of antioxidant-rich veggies, this recipe is super versatile, so you can easily swap in your favorite produce. Read on for our expert tips and tricks below, from how to tell when the casserole is ready to ingredient swaps you can make. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• To distribute the vegetables evenly throughout the casserole, we add them in layers. Don’t worry if the second layer sinks into the eggs—they will settle in the middle of the casserole.
• Precooking the vegetables develops their flavors and also releases moisture that would otherwise make the casserole watery. Mushrooms hold the most moisture, so we start them in the pan first.
• At the end of cooking, your casserole should be puffed around the edges and golden brown. You can also jiggle the pan and see if the mixture is set in the center. When in doubt, you can always use an instant-read thermometer—eggs are fully cooked at 165°F.

Nutrition Notes

• Eggs add protein to this hearty breakfast casserole to help you feel satiated, but that’s not all they deliver. They’re also packed with choline, a micronutrient that is crucial for memory, mood and nervous system function. 
• Cottage cheese amps up the amount of protein, with a ½-cup serving contributing 12 grams of protein to the dish. Eating enough protein is important, as the nutrient plays a role in every function of the body, especially when it comes to muscle and digestive health. Cottage cheese also provides calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones. 
• Mushrooms are a prebiotic food, so they work to feed the good bacteria in your gut, which can play an important role in overall health. The vegetable contains electrolytes like potassium to support lower blood pressure and blood glucose control. 
• Kale contains antioxidants that may lower the risk of certain cancers, including those of the skin, breast and stomach. The dark leafy green also provides vitamin C, an essential vitamin that works to strengthen your immune system.