6tablespoonbutter, divided (2 tablespoons for sautéing onions, 4 tablespoons for buttering rolls)
10rolls, cut in half ( I use Costco dinner rolls)
3cupschopped ham chunks
2cupsCheddar or Colby- Jack Cheese grated
2cupsSwiss Cheese, grated and divided
12large eggs
1 1/2cupshalf and half
1teaspoondry mustard
few dashes Tabasco or other hot sauce, optional
1teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonpepper
green onions for garnish, optional
Instructions
The day before serving, or early in the day of serving:
Sautee onions in 2 tablespoons butter just until softened, about 4-5 minutes on medium heat.
While onions are cooking, grease a 9x13 pan. Place rolls, halved in baking pan, cut side up. The rolls should be squished together, but not overlapping. Butter the side of the rolls that is facing up.
Pour the sautéed onions on top of the rolls, sprinkle with cut ham.
Sprinkle top of ham with 2 cups cheddar or co jack cheese and 1 cup Swiss cheese*.
Throw the eggs, half and half, dry mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper into a blender and whirl until blended well.
Pour the egg mixture over the casserole.
Spray a sheet of foil with cooking spray on the side that will face the casserole. Top the casserole with foil and seal tightly.
Place in refrigerator. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
When ready to bake, remove from refrigeratorat least an hour before baking.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and set rack in middle of oven.
Bake covered casserole for 30 minutes.
Remove foil , sprinkle with remaining one cup of cheese and bake an additional 20-30 minutes without cover.
Remove from oven when knife inserted in center comes out clean (sometimes I remove when slightly wet), and let sit for about 5 minutes before cutting.
Garnish with green onion if desired.
Notes
-You may use any combination of cheese, if you like Swiss, use all Swiss! I like the color of the Cheddar or Colby Cheddar, so I add about half Cheddar. -To keep this dish warm without overcooking or for transporting, place the dish in a cardboard box that has been lined with newspaper. Place the casserole in the box, if you have more than one, layer using a cookie sheet to keep the layers of casseroles from smashing each other. Scrunch up newspapers around the casseroles to keep them from moving around and to create extra layers of insulation. Fold the flaps of the box to keep the heat in. This will keep a casserole out of the oven hot for at least 2-3 hours.