Three weeks after the start of school, we are finally into a groove. The kids hop out of bed as soon as their alarm goes off. Well, okay, one hops and the other has to be extricated from his covers. Get dressed, brush teeth and downstairs for breakfast. The fall mornings are crisp and cool, so we are trying to take advantage of the weather by walking to school each morning. Considering that our walk takes about 25 minutes (stops for bug inspections and hopping contests between rocks included), it is more important than ever to have some quick and healthy breakfast options lined up.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about an easy make-ahead recipe using hard-boiled eggs (Make-Ahead Egg Wrap with Ham, Avocado & Salsa). Using whole-wheat tortillas and sliced hard-boiled eggs, the wrap provides a good dose of fiber and protein to help my boys prepare for a day of learning and playing. Now it’s time for another easy recipe for those busy mornings.
Typically I am very suspicious of anything made in the microwave that doesn’t fall under the category of popcorn or leftovers. So, I was more than a little skeptical about trying one of the American Egg Board’s microwave recipes. I diligently chopped up some ham and mushrooms, mixed them in a coffee mug with some whisked eggs and turned on the microwave. After a couple of minutes, I pulled the mugs out and topped each with cheddar cheese (the original recipe called for Swiss cheese, but my kids prefer cheddar). And guess what? It was good! If I was making a Sunday brunch for guests, I would opt for a more traditional route of cooking eggs since weekends allow for more cooking time, and the microwave recipes are much better for single servings. However, for a busy school morning, a microwaved egg cup is a really good option.
Of course, if mushrooms and ham are not your thing, then you could replace them with other vegetables, meats and cheeses. Below are a few ideas, but pick your family’s favorites to insure those thumbs-ups from the kids.
Variations:
Tomato, topped with thinly sliced fresh basil
Tomato, dried oregano and feta cheese
Crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese
Diced red bell pepper, mushrooms and Monterey Jack cheese
The recipe:
Spray 2 12-oz. microwave-safe coffee mugs with cooking spray.
Crack 2 eggs into each mug, add 2 tbsp water to each and whisk to combine. Stir in mushrooms, ham and pepper, dividing evenly between the 2 mugs.
Place the mugs in the microwave and cook on HIGH for 60 seconds. Stir the mixture in each mug and cook microwave until egg is almost set, about 60 to 90 seconds.
Sprinkle the cheese over top and serve.
Variations:
Tomato, topped with thinly sliced fresh basil
Add tomato, dried oregano and feta cheese
Crumbled bacon, topped with Cheddar cheese
Diced red bell pepper and mushrooms, topped with Monterey Jack cheese
Head over to the Incredible Edible Egg’s Incredible Fridge on Facebook. Post an incredible achievement on the fridge door for a chance to win a microwave and a year’s supply of eggs. Also, if you’re a Twitter fan, join @IncredibleEggs and co-host @tspcurry – Serena Ball, a Chicago-based registered dietitian – for a Twitter Party tonight at 8 p.m. CT. They’ll be offering egg nutrition tips, fun recipe ideas and giveaways!
Adapted from American Egg Board.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 4 tbsp water
- 2/3 cup finely diced mushrooms
- 3 thin slices deli ham, chopped (about 3 oz.)
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp grated Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Spray 2 12-oz. microwave-safe coffee mugs with cooking spray.
- Crack 2 eggs into each mug, add 2 tbsp water to each and whisk to combine.
- Stir in mushrooms, ham and pepper, dividing evenly between the 2 mugs.
- Place the mugs in the microwave and cook on HIGH for 60 seconds.
- Stir the mixture in each mug and cook microwave until egg is almost set, about 60 to 90 seconds.
- Sprinkle the cheese over top and serve.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by the American Egg Board. However, all opinions are mine.






















{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes. YES. I love egg in a cup! And ham in a cup. and herbs in a cup.
Thanks, Bev. It’s a fun breakfast, that’s for certain.
Ohh these sound perfect! I too am a little leary of eggs cooking in the micro, but I think I will give it a shot!
Allison, I felt the same way, but it’s a great option for a busy morning.
What a great quick breakfast idea! I would even eat something like this at work for lunch!
- Brittany
What a great idea!!
Thanks, Amanda.
Love how easy and quick these are to make!
They work really well for school mornings.
I love this! I might be a grownup, but I predict that these will be a before-work breakfast in my very near future.
Thanks!!
I hope you enjoy it, Tara!
I used to always cook my eggs in the microwave back in college. But I never added so many goodies- what a great idea!!
You’re way ahead of me – this is my first time. I think the goodies definitely make the egg cups interesting.
These look fabulous! Great idea!
Thanks, Alison.
What a great idea! I can’t wait to make this and LOVE how easy this is!
Thanks, Naomi. The “quick and easy” part works so well for busy mornings.
Just about as easy as pouring out cold cereal, and so much more hearty and comforting!
So true, Donna!
and I thought microwaves were for reheating – huh…
guess I am gonna have to give this a try, sure beats standing over the stove flipping omelets and stirring a pot of grits… really Dara, I am gonna do this, in the morning in fact, I’m heading to the kitchen now to pre-chop the ham, cheese and tomato… oh, and wanted to say if I never had before, how much I enjoy your writing style, you make me laugh all while showing real life experiences….
Drick, thanks so much for your kind comment. I hope you enjoy the egg cup!
What a great breakfast idea! Fast and delicious; what more could you ask for when time counts in the morning.
So true.
What a special time to walk to school – and great to get them up and moving! These cups are gorgeous by the way and the egg just adds to the beauty.
I love walking to school with the kids. It gives us a chance to catch up and spend some uninterrupted time together.
I do eggs in the micro at work all the time. I find the trick to keep them fluffy and not overcooked is to go about 20 seconds at a time and stir in between. Once you get it down they taste just about as good as eggs in the pan.
Mmm this is a great, quick, recipe!
Glad to hear your adorable boys are all settled into school. I would never think to microwave eggs in a cup for breakfast – sounds super easy for a quick start off to school.
Simple and quick breakfast idea. Looks good. Happy to hear your family is back into the swing of things.
Great breakfast idea. I love the mugs too:)
I am sooo making this today! Been craving it since yesterday!
sounds great idea..
I am fairly suspicious of anything made in the microwave too…but a quick, easy breakfast and you say it’s good? I will definitely have to try!
I love making these with egg whites! So quick and easy!
Wow, love this idea! Now there’s definitely no reason to skip a healthy breakfast!
Very creative, Dara. Love all the different variations that are possible with this one simple recipe.
I’d forgotten that my MIL used to make fabulous scrambled eggs in the microwave…so I know this would be yummy! And what a cute serving idea.
PS…your boys and pup are darling!!!!
Dara, I saw your recipe on TK, too — congratulations on being a “featured member” there as well. I’ll have to surprise the hubby with these — plus I don’t have to wash a skillet before I leave for work! Thanks for a great, quick breakfast.
These look awesome! I know my girls are going to love them!
This is absolutely brilliant and will immediately be put to use in my household. My youngest is in a growth spurt which means a lot of protein!!! Definitely easier than cooking bacon and eggs!!!
Great breakfast. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I gave it a try and was surprised with how tasty this ended up being. I loved the ease and fact that it came together in under 5 minutes. You can check out my blog and your shout out at: http://imapretendchef.blogspot.com/2011/09/quick-egg-tomato-bacon-and-cheese-mug.html
Great recipe, Dara! What a perfect breakfast on the run!
I would SO love to see your dish collection! I always love your photographs.
Dara, if you can do eggs in a cup with great success then I must try it. You are right, this is perfect for a single serving. Happy bug hunting
I’m with you. Microwave cooking kind of freaks me out. But every now and then I guess its ok to break that rule. These little cups look packed full of flavor!
What a great idea! Perfect for a quick breakfast.
What a fabulous (and easy!) recipe! Thanks for sharing!
I would never try this without some strong support from a great cook… now I feel ready for it, after reading your post!
Loved the cups, by the way… very stylish!
I will definitely try this recipe this week! It sounds really yummy! I enjoy making many of your dishes and love your photos. The boys are handsome and the dog is so adorable! We have a chow-golden retriever mix named Buddy. Bet he’d love some of that cheese!
I was just at a wedding where the couple gave those little whisks as favors and I thought to myself ‘what am I suppose to use this for?’ Now I know! I’m excited to try this recipe.
Wow! Made it this morning with Polish dried sausage and tomato and basil, crumbled feta on top! Fantastic! And superquick!!
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