There’s something wonderful about having breakfast ready to go when you wake up. This kosher breakfast casserole has become my go-to for Shabbat mornings and Jewish holidays when I want something hearty but don’t want to spend time cooking. I can assemble it the night before and just pop it in the oven while everyone’s getting ready.
The beauty of this particular casserole is how it balances protein from eggs with the sweetness of caramelized onions and bell peppers. I learned this technique from my neighbor who always made the most incredible breakfast dishes for her family. She taught me that the key is cooking the vegetables first until they’re really soft and golden. This extra step makes all the difference because raw vegetables release too much water and make the casserole soggy.
Why Day-Old Challah Makes the Difference
What makes this version work so well is the combination of challah bread and cottage cheese. The challah soaks up all the egg mixture without falling apart, and the cottage cheese adds richness without being too heavy. I use day-old challah because it absorbs the custard better than fresh bread. If you don’t have challah, any good quality bread works, but avoid anything too dense or it won’t absorb properly.
This casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd during holidays or when you have overnight guests. I usually serve it with fresh fruit and maybe some smoked salmon on the side. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to three days, and individual portions reheat beautifully in the microwave.
Perfect for Shabbat and Holiday Mornings

Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softening.
- Add bell peppers to the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and lightly caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and paprika until well combined.
- Add the cubed challah bread to the egg mixture and gently fold to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow bread to absorb the liquid.
- Fold in the cooked vegetables and half of the chopped chives.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining chives on top.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until the center is set and the top is golden brown. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares and serve warm.
