Ham and Cheese Brunch Squares

Sky Hostess's Note:

I got this recipe from a friend....it is a Pampered Chef recipe. It is delicious! Just a little bit of work - especially if you want to get up and make it in the morning. I don't move that fast in the morning so I usually make this for us for dinner in the evening and cut up and freeze the leftovers. Pampered Chef says that you can sub the ham with 3/4 lb bulk sausage (which I did with chicken sausage!) or 1 lb bacon that is cooked, drained and crumbled. We also used the light, flavored cream cheese. I used a carton of egg substitute and added four eggs.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 1.0 casserole

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups colby , & monterey jack cheese blend grated, divided
• 1 (22 ½ ounce) package frozen toaster hash brown patties , thawed (10 patties)
• 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
• 12 eggs
• ½ teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 8 ounces thickly sliced deli ham
• 4 -5 green onions with tops , divided (1 cup sliced)
• 3 plum tomatoes

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 450 degrees. Lightly brush a 9x13 pan with oil.
2. Crumble hash browns over pan, press gently into an even layer. Sprinkle half of the cheese evenly over hash browns. Bake 13-15 minutes or until crust starts to brown and cheese is melted.
3. In large mixing bowl whisk cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add eggs and black pepper; whisk until smooth. Add ham (or your cooked sausage or bacon) and 3/4 cup of the green onions to the egg mixture.
4. When the crust is done pour egg mixture over crust. Return pan to oven and bake 6-8 minutes or until center is set (I had to bake mine 20 minutes).
5. Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and scrape out seeds and dice.
6. Remove pan from oven and top with remaining cheese, tomatoes, and 1/4 cup green onions. Sprinkle with additional black pepper, if desired.
7. Cut into squares and serve.