I’m thrilled to share with you a recipe that’s a true lifesaver on those hectic mornings or when you’re hosting a big family brunch. Meet the Wife Saver – a name that hints at its incredible convenience and crowd-pleasing nature. Imagine waking up to the aroma of baked ham and cheese, nestled between layers of soft bread, all enveloped in a rich, eggy custard. The best part? Most of the prep work is done the night before! Let’s get started! *Special Thanks to Gigi & my Mother in-law for making this for our family for years and years! 🥰

Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Wife Saver Ingredients
How to Make Wife Saver
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Helpful Tips & Substitutions
Try Some of our Other Favorite Breakfast Recipes

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Effortless Preparation: With simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s perfect for anyone.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare it the night before for a stress-free morning.
Crowd-Pleaser: Its rich, comforting taste is sure to delight family and guests alike.
Versatile: Easily adaptable to suit different tastes and dietary needs.

Wife Saver Ingredients

White Bread
Ham
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Eggs
Salt
Pepper
Seasoning Salt
Onion Powder
Whole Milk
Salted Butter
Cornflakes

*Scroll to Printable Recipe Card below for detailed amounts!

How to Make Wife Saver

Prep Time: 15 minutes (Prep time does not include overnight refrigeration)
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 75 minutes
Serving Size: 8-10 servings

Spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 8 slices of bread, crusts removed. Every baking dish is different so tearing your bread is necessary to cover the bottom evenly. It is alright if they go up the sides slightly.
Evenly sprinkle the cubed ham over the bread to make the next layer.
Next, lay out all the slices of cheese in one even layer over the ham until covered.
Top the cheese with the remaining 8 slices of bread, essentially making one large sandwich.
Next, beat eggs, salt, seasoning salt and pepper together in a bowl.
Whisk in the onion powder and milk until thoroughly combined.
Pour the egg/ milk mixture over the entire casserole, soaking the layers.
Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the fridge overnight. This gives the bread and other ingredients a chance to soak up the egg/milk mixture and seasonings for several hours. (Plus it means all the heavy lifting is done the day before you plan to serve it!)
In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Crush the cornflakes slightly and spread them in an even layer over top of the casserole.
Melt ½ a cup of butter and pour it over top of the crushed cornflakes.
Leave the dish uncovered and bake for 1 hour until golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving, it will be piping hot right out of the oven.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

How to Store Wife Saver:

Cool the casserole, then cover and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat Wife Saver:

Gently reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm. If you want to maintain the original texture you might want to avoid microwaving.

Helpful Tips & Substitutions

Can this be Frozen?

Absolutely! Let the casserole cool completely, wrap it well, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in the oven until hot and bubbly.

Can this be Made Ahead of Time?

Yes, it’s designed for that! Assemble the casserole the night before and let it rest in the fridge. This enhances the flavors and textures.

Substitutions & Variations

Bread: Try whole wheat or gluten-free bread for a healthier twist.
Meat: Swap ham with cooked bacon or sausage, or go meatless with sautéed veggies.
Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack.
Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk and cheese substitutes.

Helpful Cooking Notes

Bread Coverage: Tear bread slices as needed to cover the dish without overcrowding.
Egg Mixture: Ensure it’s evenly poured over the layers for consistent cooking.
Golden Topping: Watch the casserole in the last minutes of baking for a perfectly golden crust.

Try Some of our Other Favorite Breakfast Recipes

Wife Saver

4.29 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings

Calories 769 kcal

Discover the magic of Wife Saver– your solution for stress-free, delicious mornings. This make-ahead breakfast is perfect for any occasion.

INGREDIENTS

16 slices of White Bread, crusts removed
4 cups of Ham, cubed
16 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, sliced into ¼ inch thick pieces
6 Large Eggs
½ teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Pepper
½ tablespoon Seasoning Salt
1 tablespoon Onion Powder
3 cups Whole Milk
½ cup Salted Butter, melted
2 cups Cornflakes, crushed

INSTRUCTIONS

Spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 8 slices of bread, crusts removed. Every baking dish is different so tearing your bread is necessary to cover the bottom evenly. It is alright if they go up the sides slightly.
Evenly sprinkle the cubed ham over the bread to make the next layer.
Next, lay out all the slices of cheese in one even layer over the ham until covered.
Top the cheese with the remaining 8 slices of bread, essentially making one large sandwich.
Next, beat eggs, salt, seasoning salt and pepper together in a bowl.
Whisk in the onion powder and milk until thoroughly combined.
Pour the egg/ milk mixture over the entire casserole, soaking the layers.
Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the fridge overnight. This gives the bread and other ingredients a chance to soak up the egg/milk mixture and seasonings for several hours. (Plus it means all the heavy lifting is done the day before you plan to serve it!)
In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Crush the cornflakes slightly and spread them in an even layer over top of the casserole.
Melt ½ a cup of butter and pour it over top of the crushed cornflakes.
Leave the dish uncovered and bake for 1 hour until golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving, it will be piping hot right out of the oven.

NOTES