High-Protein Bacon Egg Casserole Recipe Is So Light & Fluffy (8 Ingredients) by Elisa Schmitz

Along my journey to take in more healthy sources of protein, I took a bit of a detour. After making this light and fluffy high-protein Mediterranean egg casserole recipe, my husband remarked on how good it would taste with bacon. I had to agree! Although bacon isn't the healthiest source of protein, it is, well, bacon. Bacon seems to make most everything taste really, really good – including this high-protein bacon egg casserole recipe. And, it's still so light and fluffy!

This deliciously cheesy bacon and egg casserole recipe is almost custard-like in texture and, in addition to the bacon and eggs, it contains my favorite secret ingredient for added protein: cottage cheese. When whipped in a blender, the cottage cheese becomes so light and creamy, helping to make this casserole recipe very tasty! Check out the health benefits of cottage cheese and the health benefits of protein.

To make this gluten-free egg casserole recipe, here are the eight simple ingredients you need to gather: bacon, onion, orange bell pepper (check out the health benefits of bell peppers), fresh spinach, eggs, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese. The fresh parsley garnish is optional. You cook the bacon then sauté the onions, peppers and healthy spinach in some of the bacon grease before whipping the cottage cheese with the eggs in a blender. You add the mozzarella cheese to the mixture then put it into a casserole dish. You top it with cheddar then bake the casserole until cooked through and golden.

Serve this decadent egg casserole for breakfast or as a hearty brunch alongside some breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, whole wheat toast or your favorite side dishes. It's also a perfect breakfast for dinner meal!

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 to 50 minutes
Total Time: 50 to 60 minutes
Servings: 9

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces (divided)
• 3/4 cup orange bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 12 medium eggs
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup cheddar cheese slices, cut into strips
• fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Recipe Notes

• I used thick-cut bacon, but you can use regular bacon, if preferred.

• As an alternative to removing some of the bacon grease and cooking the vegetables in the original pan, you can transfer some of the grease to a new pan and sauté the vegetables that way.

• I used an orange bell pepper, but you can use any color bell pepper you prefer.

• I used cheddar cheese slices cut into strips, but you also could use shredded cheddar cheese.

• I added fresh parsley as a garnish, but that is optional.

• This recipe is flexible in terms of the vegetables or meats you'd like to include, such as broccoli, mushrooms, ham, sausage, etc. Just be sure to pre-cook vegetables and meats first.

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

Here's how to make it:

1. In a large skillet or sauté pan with sides over medium heat, cook the bacon according to package directions until crispy.
   
2. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
   
3. Remove about half of the bacon grease from the pan then add the onions and peppers to the pan. (See Recipe Notes for alternative method.) Sauté until crisp tender, about 3 minutes.
   
    
4. Add the spinach and sauté until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
   
5. Place the eggs and cottage cheese in a blender and whip until smooth, about 30 seconds.
   
6. Pour the cottage cheese mixture into a medium mixing bowl. Add the mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, if desired. Stir to combine.
   
7. Add the vegetable mixture to the cheese mixture and stir to combine.
   
8. Add 3/4 of the bacon to the mixture (the remaining bacon will be used as garnish) and stir to combine.
   
9. Pour the mixture into a 13x9-inch baking pan or casserole dish that's been sprayed with cooking spray.
   
10. Top with the cheddar cheese, evenly distributed over the casserole.
    
11. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the casserole is cooked through and golden.
    
12. Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with remaining bacon pieces.
    

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily.