Description
Enjoy a comforting Hot Brown casserole featuring layers of toasted bread, turkey, crispy bacon, and a creamy cheese sauce. This dish is perfect for brunch or a cozy dinner, and can be customized with sautéed vegetables and different cheese varieties for added flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices of white bread
- 8 slices of cooked turkey breast
- 4 slices of crispy bacon
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Make sure it doesnt brown; we just want it melted and bubbly.
- Once the butter is melted, whisk in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour. Stir continuously for about 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually add 2 cups of whole milk to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once thickened, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of paprika, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Toast 8 slices of white bread until golden brown.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook 4 slices of bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels, then crumble.
- In a large baking dish, arrange the toasted bread slices in a single layer.
- Layer 8 slices of cooked turkey breast evenly on top of the bread.
- Carefully pour the cheese sauce over the turkey and bread, ensuring it covers everything evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the cheese layer.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- For an extra crispy top, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely.
- Let the Hot Browns sit for about 5 minutes, then sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
- Cut into squares or rectangles and serve warm.
Notes
- You can prepare the sauce and assemble the Hot Browns a day in advance. Just cover and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Feel free to add sautéed vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes