Kentucky Derby Hot Brown Casserole Recipe
A hearty casserole inspired by the legendary Hot Brown sandwich from Louisville's Brown Hotel. Layers of toasted bread cubes, roasted chicken, and crispy bacon are smothered in a rich cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and Parmesan. Perfect for Derby Day parties or family gatherings when you want all the flavors of the classic open-faced sandwich in an easy-to-serve format. The creamy sauce binds everything together while cherry tomatoes add fresh acidity to balance the richness.
Ingredients
- 4 cups toasted bread cubes, cut from good bread into 1 inch piecescornbread cubes1:1gluten-free
Southern twist
- 3 chicken breasts, roasted and large diced or shredded
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 carton cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1 stick butter
- ¾ cup flour
- 7 cups milk
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Layer toasted bread cubes in bottom of large casserole dish
- 2
Layer roasted chicken over bread cubes and season with salt and pepper
- 3
Melt butter over low heat in large pot
- 4
Whisk flour into melted butter
- 5
Slowly add milk while whisking continuously
- 6
Turn heat to medium and add grated Parmesan cheese
- 7
Continue whisking until mixture begins to thicken then remove from heat
- 8
Whisk one cup of sauce slowly into beaten eggs
- 9
Pour egg mixture slowly back into pot and return to low heat
- 10
Whisk until mixture thickens but do not boil then remove from heat and season
- 11
Pour sauce over chicken and bread layers
- 12
Sprinkle cheddar cheese over sauce layer
- 13
Add halved cherry tomatoes and top with bacon crumbles
- 14
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes
- 15
Broil briefly for browned top if desired
Tips
Temper the eggs slowly by adding hot sauce gradually to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth cream sauce
Toast bread cubes until golden for better texture that won't get soggy under the sauce
Let casserole rest 10 minutes after baking for easier serving and better layer definition
Good to Know
refrigerate covered up to 3 days
assemble day before, cover and refrigerate, add 10-15 minutes to baking time
let rest 10 minutes before serving, serve hot from casserole dish
Common Mistakes
temper eggs slowly to avoid curdling
do not boil sauce after adding eggs to prevent breaking
toast bread cubes well to avoid soggy texture
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
Southern twist
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the casserole completely, cover and refrigerate overnight. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.
What if I don't have cherry tomatoes?
Regular tomatoes work fine - just dice them and drain excess liquid. Roma tomatoes hold their shape well during baking.
How long does this keep in the refrigerator?
Properly stored covered casserole will keep 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in microwave or whole casserole in 325 degree oven.