Tracey’s Cheesy Egg Casserole
A Christmas Morning Classic with the Sweetest Backstory
There are breakfast recipes… and then there are Christmas morning breakfast recipes — the kind woven into family memories, the kind that smell like comfort the moment they hit the oven, and the kind that everyone insists you make every single year.
This casserole is exactly that recipe.
And what makes it even more special? It comes with a story — one of friendship, legacy, and the kind of kitchen wisdom that gets passed from one generation to the next.
Tracey first learned this recipe from her dear friend and Young & The Restless co-star, Beth Maitland, who lovingly shared her mother Dottie’s Christmas casserole tradition. It was one of those recipes Beth grew up eating — the warm, cheesy, cozy dish that meant “Christmas has officially begun.”
Now Tracey makes it for her own family… and this year, she’s sharing it with all of us.
Honestly, I feel honored — and I know you will too once you taste it.
It’s simple (The Lazy Cook approves), satisfying, and feeds a whole crowd without requiring you to wake up at 5 a.m. to make breakfast. It also has that very specific holiday magic where people assume you spent way more time making it than you actually did.
Festive + easy + delicious = holiday perfection.
Tracey's Cheesy Egg Casserole
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Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch casserole dish
- mixing bowl
- Immersion blender or standard blender
- spatula
- aluminum foil
- cutting board
- knife
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 2 10 oz cans cream of celery soup
- 1 16 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables carrots, corn, green beans
- 1 8 oz bag Monterey Jack cheese finely shredded, divided
- 1 8 oz bag cheddar cheese finely shredded, divided
- flat-leaf parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a large 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large mixing bowl or blender, combine the eggs and cream of celery soup. Blend with an immersion blender (or regular blender) until smooth.12 large eggs, 2 10 oz cans cream of celery soup
- Fold in the frozen vegetables and half of the shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses. Stir until everything is evenly combined.1 16 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables, 1 8 oz bag Monterey Jack cheese, 1 8 oz bag cheddar cheese
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread evenly with a spatula.
- Top generously with the remaining shredded cheeses, creating a thick, cheesy crust.1 8 oz bag Monterey Jack cheese, 1 8 oz bag cheddar cheese
- Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes. After 1 hour, check with a fork or knife inserted into the center—if it comes out clean, the casserole is fully cooked. (If the top needs more browning, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.)
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped flat-leaf parsley.flat-leaf parsley
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More About This Recipe
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- 9×13-inch casserole dish
- Mixing bowl
- Immersion blender or standard blender
- Spatula
- Aluminum foil
- Cutting board + knife for garnish
Cooking Tips for Holiday Success
- Use finely shredded cheese.
It melts more quickly and creates that gorgeous golden crust. - Frozen veggies are perfect here.
No need to thaw — they help keep the center tender and moist. - Let it rest!
The 5–10 minute rest is where the casserole sets, making slicing easier. - Make-ahead option:
You can mix everything the night before and refrigerate.
Bake fresh in the morning (you may need an additional 5–10 minutes of cook time). - Feeds a crowd beautifully.
If you’ve got a smaller group, simply cut the recipe in half.
Why Women Over 50 Will Love This Breakfast
While this recipe is definitely in the “cozy holiday treat” category, it still brings a few gentle nutrition highlights:
✔ Protein from the eggs — great for supporting muscle health, metabolism, and satiety as we age.
✔ Veggie boost — frozen vegetables retain nutrients beautifully and add fiber and antioxidants.
✔ Calcium from the cheese — supports bone health, which becomes even more essential in our 50s and beyond.
It’s warming, sustaining, and feels like a hug in casserole form. Perfect for a long day of opening gifts, visiting family, or just relaxing on the couch with fuzzy socks and a Hallmark movie.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a recipe that carries the fingerprints of the people we love — the ones who cooked before us, taught us, laughed with us, and passed down dishes that somehow taste like memories. Tracey’s Cheesy Egg Casserole is one of those rare gifts: simple, comforting, and wrapped in the warmth of Beth and her mother Dottie’s kitchen traditions. My hope is that it brings that same joy and connection into your home this Christmas morning. Whether you’re feeding a full house or savoring a quiet holiday, may this dish make your table feel a little fuller, your morning a little brighter, and your season a whole lot cozier. Merry Christmas, friends.