Gratinated Eggs

Name: Gratinated Eggs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Eggs 8; Smoked pancetta 5.3 oz; Butter 2 tbsp; Type 00 flour 3 tbsp; Whole milk 1 cup; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese 1.4 oz; Nutmeg to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; Parsley to taste

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Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Stephanie Cabibbo

Baked eggs au gratin is, honestly, a dish from the heart of Northern and Central Italy. It is where simple ingredients—really simple—turn into magic. You take tender hard-boiled eggs, layer them with all that cheesy baked eggs goodness, and then add some crispy pancetta for that salty kick. And the sauce? A creamy béchamel drizzled over, topped with Parmigiano Reggiano DOP. It forms this golden, bubbling crust when it comes out of the oven. This isn’t just a fancy brunch, you know. Italian families love it for easy dinners or when they crave something comforting—yet not too heavy.

Plus, with its mix of rich, tangy cheese and savory pancetta, this gratin egg dish feels special but pretty simple, really.

And look, across Italy, eggs are a staple in so many recipes—think eggs alla messicana, stuffed eggs, or just simple frittatas. What’s awesome about the eggs au gratin recipe is the flexibility. I mean, play with whatever ingredients you have. Some might toss in spinach or different cheeses. In certain regions, you might find the béchamel spiced up with a hint of nutmeg. For sure, the baked egg casserole style is perfect for serving a crowd. Perfect for family gatherings or a laid-back Sunday meal.

Its texture is moist and cozy, with the golden top offering a satisfying crunch. People really really love it because it combines everything great about oven-baked eggs—it's filling, creamy, and has layers of crispy and tender that, well, just work. Pair it with some crusty bread or a simple green salad, and you've got a meal that makes everyone at the table super happy. If you're into easy egg dishes or eager to explore real Italian comfort food, this dish definitely has all the right flavors and textures to make everyone happy.

How to prepare Gratinated Eggs

To prepare the gratinated eggs, first boil the eggs in plenty of water 1 and let them cook for 8 minutes from the boiling point. After this time, immerse the eggs in cold water 2 and then peel them 3.

Set them aside in a bowl 4. Prepare the béchamel: melt the butter in a saucepan 5, add the flour 6

and immediately after, gradually add the milk 7, stirring with a whisk to prevent lumps. Season with nutmeg 8, salt, and black pepper, and cook over low heat until it thickens, then turn off the heat 9.

Cut the smoked bacon into pieces 10 and sauté it in a non-stick skillet 11 until it's crispy 12.

Cut the eggs in half 13. Pour half of the béchamel on the bottom of the baking dish 14 and arrange the eggs in the dish, close to each other. Add the bacon pieces 15.

Cover with the remaining béchamel 16. Finish with a sprinkle of black pepper and grated Parmigiano 17. Bake in a preheated oven in fan mode at 392°F for 15 minutes, placing the dish in the center of the oven. Remove the gratinated eggs from the oven and serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley 18.