Print

Creamy Lemon Ricotta Stuffed French Toast Casserole

lemon ricotta stuffed french toast casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

A creamy and bright French toast casserole featuring a tangy lemon ricotta filling nestled inside custardy bread, perfect for brunch or lazy mornings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf sturdy bread such as brioche or challah (about 12 oz / 340 g), sliced thickly
  • Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 5 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting
  • Maple syrup or fresh fruit compote (optional)

Instructions

  1. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish generously to prevent sticking. Cut bread into thick slices about 1 inch thick.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir gently until smooth and creamy.
  3. Lay half of the bread slices in the buttered dish. Spread a tablespoon of ricotta filling evenly on each slice. Top with remaining bread slices, pressing gently to sandwich the filling.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup or honey, and salt until smooth and slightly frothy.
  5. Pour custard evenly over the assembled bread, pressing gently to help custard absorb. Let sit 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover dish loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until top is golden and slightly crisp.
  8. Let casserole cool 5-10 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup or fruit compote if desired.

Notes

Use sturdy bread like brioche or challah, slightly stale bread works best. Do not skip the soak time for custard to absorb fully. Cover with foil for first half of baking to trap steam, then remove foil to crisp top. Avoid zesting white pith of lemon to prevent bitterness. Variations include adding fresh berries, nuts, or chocolate chips. For gluten-free, use gluten-free sturdy bread. For dairy-free, use coconut or almond-based ricotta and plant-based milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: French toast casserole, lemon ricotta, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, creamy French toast, lemon zest, ricotta cheese

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/creamy-lemon-ricotta-stuffed-french-toast-casserole-easy-recipe-for-a-perfect-breakfast/