You don’t actually have to work away in the kitchen all morning on Christmas day to enjoy a decadent breakfast or brunch. It is totally possible to have a relaxing, leisurely meal on Christmas morning without barely lifting a finger.
In This Post
Twas the night before…
These recipes require all of the prep the night before, so all you have to do in the AM is turn on your oven. Your impressed family will think the elves did it. You can savor watching the kiddos open their presents, stay in your pajamas until noon (at the very least), and enjoy more of the magic that is Christmas morning.
Visions of sugarplums…
First on our nice list: 13 treats guaranteed to please the sweet tooths in your family, followed by 14 savory strata and casseroles that will make you melt faster than Frosty in front of a fire. On Comet, on Cupid!
We’d rather you not bring us a figgy pudding, but you can definitely bring us any one of these dreamy morsels on Christmas morning. Your house will smell like butter and cinnamon. What could be better?
Want sticky buns but want them fast? Enter one of my favorite shortcut recipes ever. Store-bought frozen rolls make these super easy but delightfully delicious pull-apart cinnamon pecan rolls easy to make for any weekend or holiday brunch.
This banana bread inspired French toast is made with store-bought cinnamon swirl bread for an extra layer of flavor and has an awesome, crunchy oat topping. The addition of chocolate chips make it super indulgent.
These delicate, buttery flaky buns are almost croissant-like and are scented with sweet marzipan, cinnamon, orange, and orange blossom. Plan to make them a couple of days in advance and then let them chill overnight in the fridge before baking them in the morning.
This buttery, yeasted waffle batter will make your entire house smell like the best bakery come Christmas morning! Smooth on the inside but perfectly crisp on the outside, these waffles have so much flavor thanks to yeast and time and a restful proof overnight.
This easy pull-apart bread starts with frozen dinner rolls that rise overnight and are then baked in the Instant Pot pressure cooker for a sweet and fast cinnamon sugared breakfast or brunch treat.
This overnight French toast has a fluffy soufflé-like texture that is so dreamy. Dusted with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and served with blackberry sauce, it really hits the spot.
Who says bread pudding is only for dessert? The eggnog maple syrup Go on, let your slow cooker do all the work (you deserve it). Make this the day before and just reheat.
You can make these cinnamon rolls and let them proof overnight in the fridge, take them out in the morning about 30-40 minutes before baking and let them come to room temperature (still covered), then bake!
This French toast casserole gets an extra dose of special with a sweet and nutty crunch PLUS savory sweet bacon with each bite. Bonus? It can sit in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.
Tidings of bacon and cheese…
Let’s face it, we need protein to sustain us through all of the unwrapping and entertaining that ensue on Christmas morning. That’s where our good friends bacon and eggs come in.
For some super sustenance and a meal that will stick to your bones, these breakfast casseroles are just what we want from Santa this year. (Just don’t drop the strata!)
Breakfast for a crowd has never been easier thanks to this incredibly easy to assemble, ham and cheese make-ahead breakfast casserole that some may call a soufflé or a strata, but we just call delicious.
This fully loaded breakfast bake is like a savory bread pudding. It’s got spinach, breakfast sausage, mozzarella and cheddar, and a whole lot of savory spices and heat, plus an addictively crunchy texture.
This deep dish spinach bacon quiche recipe has a tender cream cheese crust that bakes up light and fluffy. Greek yogurt adds a tang and creaminess to the fluffy egg center baked with spinach, sautéed leeks, and crunchy bacon bits.
This breakfast casserole is made with rustic sourdough bread, umami-rich mushrooms, sweet caramelized onions, smoky bacon, creamy goat cheese, and woody thyme for a rich and savory dish that hits all the flavor notes.
This savory vegetarian bread pudding is made with crusty bread, bell peppers, zucchini, kale, Parmesan, and provolone cheese and is packed with amazing flavor.
Smooth and creamy on the inside and crisp and crunchy on the outside, this sausage and spinach strata is made with a craggy Italian loaf that has been torn (not cut), for the best texture.
Made with Canadian bacon, Swiss cheese, honey mustard, and cranberry orange relish and served with a side of preserves, this casserole is a delightful blend of sweet and savory. Plus, you can make it and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking.
This super easy breakfast strata is full of Mediterranean flavor thanks to kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, basil, and marinated sun dried tomatoes, and it’s made extra cheesy with Parmesan and mozzarella.
Breakfast for a crowd has never been easier thanks to this incredibly easy to assemble, ham and cheese make-ahead breakfast casserole that some may call a soufflé or a strata, but I just call delicious.
CourseBreakfast
CuisineAmerican
Keywordbreakfast casserole
Prep Time30minutesminutes
Cook Time1hourhour
Total Time1hourhour30minutesminutes
Servings8to 10
Calories523kcal
Ingredients
1tablespoonbutter
124 ounceloaf sliced white bread
2poundsno-water added hamfinely ground in a food processor or by your butcher
1poundmedium cheddar cheesegrated
8eggs
2cupsmilk
1tablespoondry mustard
1tablespoonfresh chopped parsley
Instructions
Prepare a 9×13-inch pan with softened butter. Tear the bread slices into 1-inch pieces of bread and cover the bottom of the pan with half of the loaf, fitting the pieces tightly together like puzzle pieces.
Layer the ground ham over the bread and then top with the cheese. Tear the rest of the bread slices into pieces and nestle them together over the ground ham but don’t pack too tightly, but just so they fit together.
In a 1 quart measuring cup, whisk the eggs and milk until smooth. In a small bowl, take 1 tablespoon of the egg and milk mixture and use a fork to mix the dry mustard into it until smooth. Add the mustard mixture into the quart measuring cup and mix well so that all of the mustard is incorporated. Add the chopped parsley and whisk.
Starting at one end of the casserole, slowly pour the egg mixture over the the bread, evenly distributing the wet ingredients and making sure to get into the edges too. Cover with non-stick aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
Remove the foil and bake at 325° F for 50-60 minutes or until the eggs are set and bubbling. If the bread starts looking too brown, loosely tent the foil over the top of the casserole and continue to cook until the egg is set. Remove the casseroled from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
Be sure to check how the casserole is cooking at the 50 minute mark to see if it is browning too much. If so, tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top so it continues to cook but is shielded from the direct heat.
Makes a 9×13-inch casserole pan.
Allow time for casserole to sit in refrigerator overnight