Don’t get us wrong, we love hosting for the holidays, but we also know how feeding your guests can bring unwanted stress. Make mornings with company easier with our Thanksgiving brunch recipe ideas. Simply brew a pot of coffee, set the table, and warm up your pre-made casserole, bread, or morning cake in the oven. Easy as that, and you’re ready to host a delicious Thanksgiving brunch that will hold everyone over until the dinnertime holiday feast. If your guests prefer a more protein-packed start to the morning, we’ve included strata, baked egg dishes, and quiche for savory taste buds. Even the hungriest guests will be satisfied with these easy breakfast recipes.
Credit:
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
This casserole takes croissants in a savory direction with ham, onions, spinach, and cheese baked in a egg custard flavored with dijon mustard.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The thing that makes these biscuits better than the classic ones is that they’re much larger, as the name implies. This version is sure to keep guests full until dinner.
If you bake your cathead biscuits close together, the sides will be tender. If you bake the biscuits far from each other, the sides will be crisp.
Credit:
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This recipe really lives up to its name with sausage, bell peppers, scallions, hash browns, and two kinds of cheese. Plus, it’s a cinch to make!
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Instead of the usual pie pastry, a layer of creamy grits forms the crust in this impressive looking, crowd-pleasing quiche.
Credit:
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
As the name implies, your guests will be dreaming of these bite-sized French toast pieces for days afterwards.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
When company is over and you want to serve a filling brunch without spending all morning in the kitchen, make this quiche ahead of time. You can reheat it just before serving.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This brunch recipe combines biscuits and cinnamon rolls into one dish, what could be better? Your Thanksgiving guests can enjoy the best flavors of both.
Credit:
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Certainly a crowd-pleaser, this overnight breakfast casserole gets started the night before Thanksgiving. Pop them in the oven for a family-friendly breakfast that will be ready shortly after the morning coffee is brewed.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
A solid coffee cake recipe is something to treasure. Serve it up for brunch, and after a sweet slice with a crumbly exterior and gooey center, your holiday guests will be begging for your recipe.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you have a larger crew to feed for Thanksgiving brunch, you’ll need to multiply the recipe to accommodate the number of people you have, since this recipe just feeds two. But don’t worry: This recipe is totally stress-free as it takes little time and the steps and ingredients are kept to a minimum.
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Prissy Lee
Bagels are a favorite breakfast for many folks, so we decided to make this crowd pleasing option. Just like your favorite breakfast sandwich, this casserole is full of cream cheese, eggs, sausage and everything bagels.
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford
The greatness of french toast and the savoriness of breakfast sandwiches meet in this recipe. The ultimate make ahead meal, prepare this recipe through step three and then freeze until Thanksgiving.
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
Take a breather and enjoy the taste of fall with this easy recipe. Using the same batter as the previous seeded pumpkin bread, this cake is made for a crowd and covered in a delightful butter and brown sugar topping.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Roll together your ingredients and refrigerate the night before for a no-hassle morning meal. Everyone loves Tex-Mex brunch, and this recipe promises to impress.
Credit: Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos
Assemble this decadent breakfast casserole the night before Thanksgiving, then dream of French toast all night long. Whether you add bourbon or not, be sure to choose the good stuff: 100% pure maple syrup.
Credit: Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos
We added bacon and cheese for the ultimate Shrimp and Grits casserole. Get this dish going and on the brunch table in only an hour.
Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist Karen Rankin
We love coffee cake and muffins so we decided to combine the two in this breakfast treat. If you want to put your own spin on these muffins, fold in a few blueberries or chocolate chips into the batter to really make this recipe your own.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
This gigantic cinnamon roll even more delicious than it looks. It combines all of the decedent goodness of a gooey cinnamon roll with all the ease of a casserole. Plus, it’s kid approved and party ready.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos
This cheesy breakfast bake combines two of our favorite things: sausage and hash browns. Double the sausage guarantees that this brunch is hardy enough to fill a crowd.
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Leave the indulgence for later in the day. This Baked Oatmeal can be customized with your favorite seasonal fruits. In anticipation of a decadent dinnertime feast, this healthy and filling casserole is a great option.
Credit: Jennifer Causey
This savory tater tot breakfast dish will hold you over until Thanksgiving dinner. Best of all? You can make it the night before.
Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
With all the Thanksgiving dinner prep, we simply do not have the time to flip pancakes. This big-batch pancake is the perfect solution, and it only takes 20 minutes to bake in the oven.
Credit: Jennifer Causey
We’ll take these fluffy homemade biscuits with extra gravy. This homestyle breakfast is super comforting, especially for the host (it’s only one pan!).
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Cinnamon rolls are the perfect make-ahead breakfast that everyone in your family will love. These are made with homemade slow-cooker apple butter that will wow your family members while not taking a lot of prep time on your part.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
Don’t let your slow cooker miss out on the fun. While your other appliances set the scene for dinner, let your slow cooker work on breakfast.
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford
Feed the extended family and friends with this supersize Thanksgiving brunch recipe. With hash browns, bacon, and plenty of cheese, what’s not to love?
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Invite sleepy Thanksgiving guests down to the kitchen with these holiday-worthy breakfast potatoes. Serve this alongside one of our egg or pancake casserole recipes for a brunch spread fit for the occasion.
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Start the holiday off with a slice of breakfast cake. Top slices of this scrumptious blueberry treat with a dollop of whipped cream.
Credit: Photo: Melina Hammer
This is a go-to recipe that many hosts reach for again and again, with recipe cards stained, creased, and much-loved from years of use. You will certainly impress your brunch company with this clever, simple spin on a traditional quiche.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This dreamy egg strata is worth waking up for. Swiss and parmesan are sure to become your new go-to cheese pairing with eggs after a bite of this recipe.
Credit: Southern Living
These fluffy homemade blueberry muffins will save you a trip to the bakery. Soft, buttery muffins are possible from home and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Credit: Southern Living
A sugar rush for brunch? Count us in! These New Orleans-style breakfast treats will be ready in less than 10 minutes with the help of your trusty Dutch oven.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
Skillet potatoes are so easy to make and oh-so good. They’re a trusty side dish for any breakfast main, or add eggs and bacon for an ultimate savory dish.
Credit: Alison Miksch
When you have a houseful of visiting family to feed, nothing is easier than a cheesy quiche still warm from the oven. It can keep a whole family full until lunchtime, and this recipe involves breakfast ingredients that are sure to please: bacon, cheesy grits, and a traditional egg quiche.
Credit: Micah A. Leal
These autumnal loafs are made for holiday mornings. Slice and serve, though we wouldn’t blame you if there were a piece or two missing by the time these make it to the table.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Topped with Gruyère cheese, this casserole browns beautifully and has a delicious nutty flavor, but you can sub Swiss cheese if you prefer. Pre-made croissants from your local grocery give bakery-fresh flavor with minimal effort, and add a flaky crust to the dish’s edges.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke
No need to head to the donut shop with this recipe! This bakery-worthy brunch is easy to whip up in a bundt pan at home. Pair with a large pot of coffee to keep your guests happy all morning long.
Credit: Stephen Devries; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Bake these Apple Muffins the night before and warm them in the oven to wake your guests with the sweet aromas of baked apples and cinnamon. Serve with your choice of breakfast beverage for an easy meal before the big feast.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
We’re all about working smarter, not harder around the holidays, and this Eggs Benedict Casserole is the answer to your Thanksgiving morning worries. Prepare this casserole the night before and then simply pop it in the oven in the morning—no egg poaching necessary.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Mama’s French toast recipe got an upgrade with buttermilk in this twist on a classic. Pair with a bowl of fresh fruit for a delicious, crowd-pleasing breakfast.
Credit:
Southern Living
The star of breakfast is this Zucchini-Onion Frittata. It’s surprisingly easy and comes together in just 15 minutes of hands-on time.
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Preparing portions in individual ramekins is an easy way to make your life as host easier. With individually-packaged servings of yummy cheese grits, you’ll know there’s enough for everyone, especially when served with fresh fruit, bacon, or other breakfast goodies.
Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Sometimes to get away from the stress of holiday cooking, it is good to make something fun and rewarding. If you are one of those overachievers, try this cinnamon sugar pull-apart bread. With a beautiful presentation, you will feel proud that you checked one thing off your list.
Credit: Victor Protasio
Made with day-old mini croissants, this breakfast casserole is as easy as it is delicious, with caramelized onions, cheesy egg custard, and a touch of Dijon. Store this crowd-pleaser in the fridge overnight and pop it in the oven in the morning to greet holiday guests with savory aromas and impressive brunch.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
This easier twist on a soufflé is sure to have guests more than satisfied. Yellow stone-ground grits bake up with cubed ham, fresh corn, and thyme while your guests wake up and eagerly anticipate breakfast.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Southerners love a good Hashbrown Casserole. This dish delights for breakfast or can be a star later on among the Thanksgiving dinner feast. Or both? There’s no such thing as enough cheesy, creamy potato.
Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
This brunch will blow away your holiday crowd. With everyone’s favorite breakfast notes—flakey pastry, hot sausage, and a killer cheese combination—this hardy dish will sit pretty in your fridge overnight before baking in the morning.
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick
Leftover ham and frozen greens make this the easiest quiche full of shortcuts that your satisfied breakfast guests would never have guessed. With ham, collards, onion, and cheese, you won’t even miss the pie crust.
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen
This Thanksgiving, do brunch right with a convenient casserole version of a Southern classic: cheese grits. This dish is creamy, delicious, and fit for a crowd.
Credit: Southern Living
Choose your fighter: Biscuits-and-Gravy Casserole or Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet. On Thanksgiving, it always helps to know which dishes you will need for preparing the feast later. Whichever medium you choose, you can’t go wrong with warm biscuits and delicious, creamy sausage gravy.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
An instant classic, this casserole features everyone’s favorite breakfast treat: pancakes, of course. Letting the pancakes soak up custard overnight transforms average flapjacks into a delicious brunch with all the best parts of a bread pudding.
Credit: Alison Miksch
The ultimate make-ahead brunch, this smoky and cheesy casserole can’t be beat. Your Thanksgiving guests will go crazy for this grits combo that kick the holiday off on a high note.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero
Are you looking for a lighter option so you can still have room for the big thanksgiving feast? Baked oatmeal is a great option, especially this one which celebrates fall harvest flavors. Make this recipe the night before and then bake it thanksgiving day for the best results.
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell
French toast gets a special occasion-worthy upgrade with this recipe. After chilling overnight, pop this sweet and nutty dish in the oven until golden brown.
Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Start the day with sausage and gravy, and end it with turkey and gravy. This savory casserole recipe makes for hardy and comforting brunch finished off with cheddar-cornmeal biscuits.
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
Need a little pumpkin pick-me-up? These muffins with semisweet chocolate chips are sure to delight. With a yield of 30 muffins, you and your guests can probably grab seconds if you want.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
If Thanksgiving really is the start of the holiday season, why not start off your day with a little holiday cheer? This crowd-pleasing breakfast is sure to impress as well as take a little pressure off your plate since most of the work for this recipe will be done the night before.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Invite nostalgia to your Thanksgiving brunch table with this now-unavailable Hardee’s breakfast. As the name suggests, tart raisins balance out the warm sweetness of cinnamon for a brunch that will have your guests reminiscing.
Credit: Will Dickey
Of the hundreds of Southern buttermilk biscuit recipes tested in our Test Kitchen, this one stood out for its balance of softness and flakiness, neutrality and flavor. Enjoy these biscuits alone or with any number of condiments
Whip up this brunch dish the night before Thanksgiving then chill it overnight. In the morning, all this recipe asks is 10-15 minutes in the oven for a deliciously easy Thanksgiving breakfast.
Credit: Will Dickey
Quiches: a breakfast-for-any-meal, use-up-leftover-vegetables, and French-cuisine-turned-ordinary staple. Expecting a busy Thanksgiving morning? Make this recipe the day before—your guests won’t even know the difference.
Credit: Micah A. Leal
This recipe uses applesauce and eggs as a healthier alternative to the typical butter-sugar base. After just 10 minutes of mixing, you’re ready to sit back and let the oven work its magic.
Credit: Jen Causey
Juicy and refreshing, this customizable fruit salad is just what your brunch table needs. Using seasonal fruit like pears and apples is a great way to showcase fall flavors alongside some mint and honey.
Dining and Cooking