On Christmas morning, you probably don’t want to be challenged with poaching a perfect egg or flipping over the griddle for an hour. Enter the easy Christmas breakfast casserole. Add a fruit salad or a side of sausage, and a festive Christmas breakfast is served.
The perfect breakfast casserole for Christmas Day is something special, yet not too fussy. It can be assembled (or at least, prepped) the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is preheat the oven and pop it in or, better yet, program the slow cooker to do the job while you sleep. Read on for great ideas for your perfect Christmas breakfast casserole.
Savory French Toast Casserole
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
If your family prefers savory to sweet, try out this twist on French toast which swaps out the cinnamon and sugar for eggs and onion. We recommend using challah or brioche bread for the fluffiest results. For stress-free entertaining, make it up to three days ahead and just heat it back up when you’re ready to serve.
Cheesy Potato Frittata
Credit: Victor Protasio
This classic combo of eggs, potato, and cheese is comfort food at its best. Serve it alongside some toasty bread for even more warming comfort. You can prep and cook the entire dish the day before, then reheat it on Christmas morning.
Tater Tot Casserole With Sausage
Credit: Greg DuPree
The ultimate Christmas breakfast, this comfort-food casserole is loaded with sausage, tater tots, veggies, and cheese. Add jalapeños and a little hot sauce for spicy food fans, or keep it on the milder side. Top with a handful of chopped chives before serving.
Ham and Leek Quiche
Credit: Jennifer Causey
There’s no better way to use the leftover ham from Christmas Eve lunch than in this hearty quiche that will no doubt be a crowd-pleaser. You’ll just need 15 minutes of prep time, after which the oven takes over. Buttermilk gives the quiche a creamy tang, while a frozen store-bought pie crust makes quick work of assembling so you can get back to spending precious time with loved ones.
Healthy Blackberry and Pear Breakfast Crisp
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
This delicious crisp is basically a healthy and breakfast-acceptable version of pie. It tastes like dessert, but since it’s packed with good-for-you ingredients like oats and fruit, you can eat every spoonful guilt-free. Serve warm or chilled with a dollop of protein-filled Greek yogurt.
Croissant and Chocolate Bread Pudding
Credit: Con Poulos
Rich layers of chocolate chunks and ready-to-eat croissants put this in the dessert category on most days, but on Christmas morning, this bread pudding qualifies as breakfast. It takes just 10 minutes to prep and up to 40 to bake. The only thing that could make this casserole even sweeter is to serve it with hot chocolate.
Berry Baked Oatmeal
Credit: Victor Protasio
Assemble this crowd-pleasing, berry-delicious breakfast dish in just 15 minutes. Not your usual bowl of oats, this dish uses eggs and milk to create a custard-like base flavored with maple syrup, vanilla, and nutmeg, making it as special as Christmas Day! Feel free to use fresh or frozen mixed berries.
Use-It-Up Quiche
Credit:
VICTOR PROTASIO; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
If you’ve been overindulging in the leadup to Christmas, this quiche can get your family back on a healthy eating track…at least through noon. Make it ahead to reheat this vegetarian quiche, or put the whole dish together on Christmas morning in only 20 minutes. If you’re really wanting to get ahead, feel free to freeze it for up to three months.
High-Protein Skillet Baked Eggs with White Beans and Mushrooms
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
This quick skillet recipe is packed with all the delicious ingredients you’ll need to fuel your Christmas day. White beans, browned mushrooms, eggs, and leafy greens mix in a creamy Dijon sauce spiked with warming nutmeg. Sprinkle with Parmesan and pepper just before serving.
Cherry Berry Breakfast Custard
Credit: Greg DuPree
This fancy French clafoutis-like custard comes together quickly in a blender and then bakes for 45 minutes. Instead of cherries and berries, mix and match any frozen fruit for this dish. Try mango and pineapple for a tropical twist!
Herbed Ham and Cheese Baked Eggs
Credit:
Victor Protasio
Balance out all those holiday sweets with this savory, make-ahead breakfast casserole. It features a slew of fresh ingredients—garlic, onion, and chopped parsley—and flavorful Parmesan and Gouda cheese. You can assemble and cook this dish the night before, and then just warm and serve it on a busy morning.
Warm and Cozy Apple-Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Credit:
Fred Hardy
If you’re feeling a little more nice than naughty on Christmas morning, this baked oatmeal is a festive yet relatively healthy breakfast choice. Flecked with seasonal apples and warming spices, make this recipe to feed a crowd. Make ahead and warm it up the next day.
Sheet Pan Apple Crisp
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
While this dish may be too dessert-like for an everyday breakfast, it’s perfectly indulgent for Christmas morning. The edges become golden and crispy, while the filling melds together, becoming sweet and caramelized. At serving, switch out the ice cream for a dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream as a more breakfast-appropriate bent.
Basic Quiche With Gruyère
Credit: Petrina Tinslay
A quiche is an easy option and usually a crowd-pleaser. This recipe utilizes Gruyèrecheese to enhance the flavor but feel free to use whatever cheese you have on hand. Prepare it on Christmas Eve, so you can just pop it in the oven the next morning and sit back and relax with your family.
Dining and Cooking