Ina Garten’s Dreamy Blintz Casserole Recipe Made Simple

Blintz casserole transforms ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary culinary adventure that captures comfort and elegance.

Rich dairy ingredients blend seamlessly in this delightful morning masterpiece.

Soft cheese layers nestle between delicate, golden-edged batter creating a symphony of textures.

Creamy ricotta and tangy mascarpone provide luxurious depth to each carefully crafted bite.

Weekend brunch enthusiasts will fall in love with this decadent dish that elevates morning meals beyond traditional expectations.

Sweet hints of lemon zest dance playfully across warm, pillowy surfaces.

Blueberries scattered throughout add vibrant bursts of natural sweetness and color.

You’ll want to savor every single forkful with pure, unrestrained joy:

Why Blintz Casserole by Ina Garten Is So Cozy

• Simplify Blintzes: Transform the traditional labor-intensive blintzes into an easy-to-make casserole that eliminates complicated folding and individual cooking steps.
• Luxurious Cheese Layers: Combine rich ricotta and creamy mascarpone with delicate lemon zest to create an indulgent filling that elevates the classic breakfast dish with gourmet flavors.
• Versatile Brunch Showstopper: Craft a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for weekend gatherings, holiday brunches, or special family breakfasts that impresses guests without requiring complex cooking techniques.

Gather These for a Comfort-Filled Casserole

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic base for a tender and light pancake texture.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the batter.
• Milk: Creates smooth consistency and helps bind ingredients.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor and helps prevent sticking.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, sweet undertone to the batter.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base with mild, soft texture.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Adds luxurious richness and smooth consistency.
• Eggs: Helps bind and set the filling.
• Sugar: Provides subtle sweetness to the cheese mixture.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright, fresh citrus notes to balance richness.
• Salt: Balances and enhances other flavors.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, subtle sweetness.

• Fresh Blueberries: Sweet, juicy fruit for sauce base.
• Orange Juice: Adds depth and natural sweetness.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create sauce consistency.
• Cornstarch: Thickens sauce naturally.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Provides bright, citrusy accent.

Roll Into Brunch with This Blintz Casserole How-To

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish or cake pan.

Step 2: Create the Batter

Combine batter ingredients in a food processor with a steel blade. Blend until smooth (a mixer works too). Pour half the batter (1 3/4 cups) into the prepared dish. Bake for 10 minutes or until set.

Step 3: Mix the Cheese Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Mascarpone cheese
• Eggs
• Sugar
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

Ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Casserole

Spread the cheese filling over the partially baked batter layer. Carefully cover with the remaining batter. Return to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is lightly golden and the filling is almost set.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes. Cut into pieces and serve warm with Fresh Blueberry Sauce.

Step 6: Prepare Blueberry Sauce

• Orange juice
• Sugar
• Cornstarch

Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture clears and thickens, add blueberries. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, allowing some berries to break down while keeping most whole. Stir in lemon juice and zest. Cool before serving.

Tips for a Sweet-and-Creamy Blintz Bake

• Blueberry Boost: Select ripe, plump blueberries for the most vibrant and intense sauce that will elevate the entire dish.
• Batter Perfection: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to create a silky-smooth mixture, eliminating any potential lumps that could disrupt the casserole's delicate texture.
• Sweet Balance: Taste and adjust the blueberry sauce sweetness, allowing you to customize the flavor profile to your personal preference.
• Baking Wisdom: Monitor the oven closely and use a timer to prevent overcooking, which can transform your luscious casserole into a dry, disappointing dish.
• Flavor Fusion: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after baking, giving the ingredients time to settle and blend, resulting in a more harmonious and enjoyable eating experience.

Save the Rest—How to Store Blintz Casserole Well

• Overnight Cooling: Carefully transfer leftover blintz casserole to an airtight glass container with a tight-sealing lid. Glass prevents flavor absorption and maintains dish integrity better than plastic containers. Cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation and soggy texture.
• Freezer Preservation: Slice casserole into individual portions before freezing for convenient future reheating. Wrap each section tightly in multiple layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil, then place inside a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal taste quality. Label with date and contents for easy meal tracking.
• Reheating Strategy: Thaw frozen blintz casserole overnight in the refrigerator for best results.

A Few Fun Variations for Your Next Blintz Round

• Tropical Fruit Fusion: Replace blueberries with a mix of diced mango, pineapple, and passion fruit for a vibrant Caribbean-inspired sauce that brings sunny flavors to the classic blintz casserole.
• Chocolate Hazelnut Remix: Swirl melted chocolate and chopped hazelnuts into the cheese filling, creating a rich and decadent version that transforms the traditional recipe into a luxurious dessert experience.
• Savory Mediterranean Spin: Substitute ricotta with crumbled feta, add chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes to the filling, and sprinkle with fresh herbs like oregano and thyme for a Mediterranean-inspired savory blintz casserole.
• Apple Cinnamon Comfort: Incorporate diced apples and ground cinnamon into the cheese filling, then top with a caramel-like sauce made from brown sugar and butter to create a warm, homestyle autumn-inspired variation.

One Last Note on This Brunch Favorite

Sweet symphony of Ina Garten’s Blintz Casserole awaits culinary adventurers seeking comfort and elegance.

Layers of delicate pancake embrace creamy cheese filling, creating a memorable breakfast masterpiece.

Blueberry sauce adds bright, tangy complexity that elevates this classic dish beyond traditional expectations.

Breakfast tables will buzz with excitement when golden-edged blintzes arrive, promising indulgent moments of pure pleasure.

Careful preparation rewards passionate home chefs with a luxurious morning experience that celebrates traditional Jewish cuisine.

Ina Garten Blintz Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Blintz Casserole brings classic Jewish comfort to breakfast tables with luxurious cream cheese and sweet berry essence. Delicate layers of silky pancakes meld perfectly with rich custard, offering a delightful morning indulgence you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (24 ounces) ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 4 extra-large eggs
• 2 extra-large eggs
• 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups milk

Dairy and Flavor Enhancers:

• 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Leavening and Seasoning Agents:

• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Blueberry Sauce Ingredients:

• ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (3 oranges)
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 4 half-pints fresh blueberries

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9-inch by 13-inch (23 cm by 33 cm) baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Combine all batter ingredients in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse until the mixture becomes completely smooth and uniform. Alternatively, use an electric mixer for blending. Transfer 1 of the batter (approximately half) into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes or until the batter sets and becomes slightly firm.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar until well incorporated. Gently fold in salt, vanilla extract, fresh lemon zest, and lemon juice, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed. Carefully spread the cheese filling over the pre-baked pancake layer.
4. Delicately pour the remaining pancake batter over the cheese filling, creating an even top layer. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the surface turns a light golden brown and the filling appears mostly set.
5. Remove from the oven and allow the blintzes to rest for 10 to 15 minutes, which helps the filling stabilize. This resting period ensures cleaner, more precise slicing.
6. For the blueberry sauce, combine orange juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. As the sauce thickens and becomes translucent, add fresh blueberries and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes.
7. During the final moments of cooking, some blueberries will naturally break down while others remain whole, creating a vibrant, textured sauce. Finish by stirring in lemon juice and zest. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving alongside the warm blintzes.

Notes

• Swap frozen berries for fresh ones to elevate the sauce’s vibrant taste and silky consistency.
• Whisk batter thoroughly to eliminate potential clumps, creating a velvety smooth texture.
• Customize sweetness levels by tasting the blueberry sauce, balancing tartness with subtle sugar notes.
• Monitor baking time closely, preventing dryness and maintaining the casserole’s luscious moisture.
• Allow the dish to rest briefly after removing from oven, letting flavors harmonize and ensuring safe, comfortable serving temperature.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Jewish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 475 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg