phyllo egg brunch casserole
See this? This makes me love mornings. Well, coffee does, too, but this helps. Flaky, buttery layers with vegetables and turkey and eggs and cheese? Oh yeah, I can get down with that. Or up, if you will — up in the morning with a yummy brunch bake. And coffee.
Anyhoo, what I’m trying to say is this casserole needs to be a part of your Easter brunch festivities. There is no waffling on this suggestion — my recommendation is “essentially a guarantee” (channeling my inner Ron Swason). And that guarantee is that you will fall in love with a casserole. Specifically, this casserole. Why? Must I remind you of the flaky, buttery phyllo dough layers? And the cheese?
Or, mayhaps I can woo you with the fact that you can prep this recipe the night before, leaving you more time on Easter morning to get up, find your Easter basket (I am NEVER too old for that) and go to church without looking like the egg nest landed in your hair. Or, perchance, that the crisp, buttery layers made with Athens Fillo Dough are actually healthier than other doughs like, say, puff pastry and pie crust. Or, possibly, that it’s just downright delicious. Really, it’s all the things. Not the least of which is the fact that you get to eat it.
A few more notes to whet your whistle: If you don’t like ground turkey or want to go meatless, you can swap the turkey for sausage or extra mushrooms. You can also simplify the process by using cooking spray for the phyllo sheets instead of butter. And finally, if you need to make this a few days ahead of time, you can freeze the whole thing prior to baking — just be sure to let it thaw overnight in the fridge before you put it in the oven.
Brunch bake = me, a morning person. It’s an Easter miracle.
Phyllo Egg Brunch Casserole
A Girl Versus Dough original
Yields: About 10-12 servings
Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
7 eggs, divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly drained
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted OR cooking spray
1 (16 oz) twin-pack Athens Fillo Dough sheets
Directions:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey, mushrooms, green pepper and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until turkey is browned, about 10 minutes. Drain turkey mixture; return to skillet. Scramble 6 eggs in a bowl with some salt and pepper to taste and add to skillet along with the tomato and stir until eggs are set. Remove from heat; stir in 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, dried basil, remaining egg, remaining 1/2 cup cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Lightly brush a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with butter (or spray with cooking spray). Layer 10 sheets of fillo dough into prepared pan, brushing each sheet with butter (or spraying with cooking spray). Top with half of the turkey mixture. Layer with another 10 sheets of butter-brushed fillo dough; top with ricotta mixture. Layer another 5 sheets of butter-brushed fillo dough and top with remaining turkey mixture. Top with 5 more sheets of butter-brushed fillo dough.
At this point, you can either cover the casserole and place it in the fridge overnight, or you can bake it right away. If storing overnight, take casserole out of the fridge 15 minutes before baking. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and bake 50 minutes to 1 hour or until golden and warmed through. If baking right away, heat oven to 350 degrees F and bake 40-50 minutes or until golden. Slice into squares and serve warm.
Disclosure: I received compensation from Athens Foods for recipe development purposes. All opinions are my own. For more Athens Foods recipes, click here.
You’ve definitely wooed me! YUM!
Anne — Ha, I’m so glad! 🙂 Thanks!
Fabulous! I love savory breakfast food and I could totally eat a plate of this right now!
This is the sexiest looking casserole I have ever seen! Easter is bringing sexy back? Wait. That’s weird. Can I just come over and stuff this in my face?
Cassie — Me too! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Lauren — LOL! Yes, please come on over. We can eat sexy casserole together. 🙂
This looks awesome, and a great alternative to the usual breakfast casseroles! Definitely worth getting out of bed for 🙂
I have been pretty obsessed with breakfast foods lately. Like…every day all the time. And it is obvious that I can’t wait until easter to make this. I’m so glad I have some phyllo in the fridge!
Yum! Each and every one of those layers looks amazing.
I’m with Cassie! I love a savory breakfast and this looks fabulous!
Oh this breakfast casserole looks amazing with that phyllo dough.
Give me a slice right now!! Awesome brunch idea..or snack, or dinner or or or or!
Marie — Definitely worth getting out of bed for! Most days, anyway 🙂 Thanks!
Joanne — I get into those phases, too! (thus the casserole above that I ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner… all in a row :)) Thanks for the comment, friend!
Meghan — Thank you!
Laurie — Thank you, dear! You and Cassie should come over and we can have a savory breakfast potluck 😉
Meagan — Thank you! It’s the best part 🙂
Gerry — Thanks! Definitely was breakfast, lunch AND dinner for me 🙂
I love easy brunch recipes like these and when its healthier, even better!
This looks really good–I love breakfast food. I might even make it for dinner. Is there a difference between phyllo dough and puff pastry–wondering if I can use puff pastry instead?
I would love mornings even MORE with this in front of me! I do love my coffee, but this casserole just looks marvelous!
What a great way to make eggs something eggstra apecial!
I absolutely love this! It looks so lovely!
What a great brunch idea! I love how you used phyllo dough in it.
Ohhh, I gotta make this for hubby. He is going to love this.
Oh yummy! I just love casseroles for breakfast! 🙂
I’ll bring the coffee. Save me a slice!!!
A piece of this casserole would definitely make my morning! Love savory breakfasts!
Nicole — I agree! Thank you!
Tiffany — There is a difference — phyllo is a lot lighter in texture and nutrition and and little flakier and you have to brush on the butter ahead of time. But you could definitely make it with puff pastry if you have it on hand!
Julie — Thanks! Coffee is definitely what gets me out of bed every morning, but this helps, too 🙂
Abbe — Haha, thank you! 🙂
Katrina — Thank you, dear!
Julia — Thanks! This was one of the few times I’ve used phyllo dough but I think I’m officially obsessed! So easy to use and super delicious 🙂
Kathy — Mine did! Hope yours does, too! 🙂
Kelly — I think breakfast casseroles are quickly becoming my new favorite thing. So easy and tasty. Thanks! 🙂
a farmer in the dell — You got it! See you in a few 😉
Jessica — I love them, too! Thanks, dear!
Great idea for Easter! Phyllo is truly wondrous!
Laura — Wondrous, indeed 🙂 Thank you!
This looks great, plus what an awesome recipe when you want something easy to feed a crowd with. I love this for Easter!!
Bernadette — SUPER convenient for feeding a crowd. 🙂 Thank you!
this looks soooo delicious! i am actually hosting a brunch/shower soon… you’ve got my wheels turning that i must do something with phyllo dough! xo
Robyn — Do it! I think you will love the results. 🙂 Thanks!
We need to have breakfast together…like every day! I love veggies and eggs for breakfast with half a pot of coffee. Although I’ve never baked with fillo dough, I love the buttery flavor and flaky texture and this looks like the perfect brunch to make for Easter. I’m all over this one!
Julia — Veggies + eggs + half pot of coffee = Best. Breakfast. EVER. With you there, too, of course. 😉 Thanks, lady!
I really thought these looked good and made a nice presentation. I featured them on my Friday Five Easter addition over @Feed Your Soul – http://chefpeterskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/friday-five-easter-addition.html
Wow! This really makes me want to cook more often! I’ll bet it would surprise my wife.
Thanks for the great food idea!
Ah, aren’t brunch casseroles the best? Those and quiches. With a green salad and a cup of coffee, it could even be a great, satisfying lunch.
This is going to be perfect for mothers day brunch!! i would like to make it the night before but am worried about the eggs turning green from sitting too long and then reheating. can you definitely make this in advance without it looking dodgy in the morning?
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Hi! I have just collected all my ingredients and want to bake this for my guy and myself for brunch tomorrow. Wondering if the flavors are best when left in fridge overnight or baked fresh??
Melinda — Honestly, it tastes great either way! Whatever works best for your schedule. Hope you both enjoy it!