18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (2024)

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Take away some stress from the holiday rush with these recipes.

By

Rachel Knecht

18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (1)

Rachel Knecht

Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.

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Published December 19, 2023

18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (2)

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18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (3)

Breakfast has always been my favorite meal. I look forward to special holiday breakfasts as much as I do the holiday ham for dinner. But that doesn’t mean I want a sink full of dishes to clean before I’ve had my coffee. I prefer making breakfast before heading off to bed.

That's why breakfast casseroles are my breakfast hero during the holidays. I’ll either bake one all the way through and warm it up in the morning, or if I’m making a bread-based casserole, then I’ll assemble it and bake it in the morning. I prep the ingredients when I’m in the kitchen making dinner. No extra cutting boards to wash.

Love sausage, egg, and cheese? We’ve got a casserole for you. More into sweet and fruity? Same. Honestly, I'll make one of each and save myself from having to choose.

  • Easy Breakfast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (4)

    All you need is four ingredients: eggs, milk, cheese, and day-old bread to make a breakfast casserole. From there you can add vegetables, breakfast meats, or herbs if you are so inclined. You can assemble it the night before and then bake it in the morning. Easy peasy.

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  • Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (5)

    Let the freezer help you get ahead of the game by baking this cozy blueberry casserole ahead of time and then freezing it. To thaw, defrost in the refrigerator overnight and then microwave individual pieces or rewarm in the oven before serving.

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  • Sausage Breakfast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (6)

    The Jimmy Dean Sausage company knew what it was doing when it printed a similar recipe 20 years ago. It’s bound to become a family favorite this holiday season. You can bake and freeze it and then rewarm it for the special day.

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  • Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (7)

    Use up the leftover holiday ham and make a simple breakfast casserole for the next day. In fact, you can let this sit in your refrigerator for up to 48 hours before baking it. All you do is cut sturdy bread into triangles and then layer it with a mixture of eggs, milk, and cheese. Toss in sliced tomatoes if you have them for a pop of color and bright flavor.

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    Continue to 5 of 18 below.

  • Peach Melba French Toast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (8)

    Even if you haven’t had peach Melba before, you’ll fall head over heels for this peach and raspberry breakfast casserole. It’s easy to make using frozen peaches and sturdy bread. You can make the raspberry sauce a full week ahead of time.

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  • Frittata with Potatoes, Red Peppers, and Spinach

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (9)

    Did you buy too many potatoes for dinner? Use them in this simple vegetarian frittata. Turmeric gives it a lovely color and a slightly earthy flavor. You can cook it the day before and then warm it in the oven before serving.

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  • Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (10)

    I make biscuits and gravy at least once over the holidays and I love the idea of making it ahead of time. The sausage and mushroom gravy is sandwiched between two layers of biscuits. You can make the biscuit dough rounds and gravy ahead of time, store them separately, and then assemble and bake in the morning.

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  • Bagel Breakfast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (11)

    Delight your family by turning their favorite bagel breakfast sandwich into a make-ahead casserole. Everything bagels bursting with flavor make this anything but boring. You can keep it covered in the refrigerator overnight and then bake it in the morning.

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    Continue to 9 of 18 below.

  • French Toast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (12)

    Grab an extra loaf of fluffy French bread and use it to make an overnight breakfast casserole. Partially assemble the casserole then cover and refrigerate until the next day. You don’t want to skip the cinnamon and butter drizzle—it adds a slightly sweet crunch to the baked casserole.

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  • Butternut Squash and Kale Strata

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (13)

    Strata is similar to a bread pudding. Sage adds an earthy flavor that enhances the savory butternut squash and kale. For a make-ahead option, you can assemble the casserole the night before and then bake it in the morning.

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  • Monte Cristo Croissant Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (14)

    Savory-sweet Monte Cristo sandwiches are the perfect fancy brunchy breakfast to adapt to a breakfast casserole. A raspberry drizzle garnishes this version, bringing a burst of striking color.

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  • Zucchini Breakfast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (15)

    Vegetables take center stage in this breakfast bake. Grated zucchini, chopped tomatoes, and a handful of basil will remind you of sunny days spent out in the garden and look festive on a holiday table. You can put the casserole together the night before and then bake it in the morning.

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    Continue to 13 of 18 below.

  • Ham and Asparagus Strata

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (16)

    Gruyere adds the right amount of decadence to this easy strata. Look for sturdy Italian bread for the best results and toast the cubes before they soak in the egg and milk custard.

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  • Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (17)

    Slow cookers are the epitome of the make-ahead meal. You can assemble this in the slow cooker the night before and then start it in the morning; it 'll be ready by brunch.

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  • Easy Breakfast Casserole With Prosciutto

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (18)

    Prosciutto levels up any dish it’s a part of, and this breakfast casserole is no exception. To make this ahead of time, cook it as directed, leave off the cheese, cool, and refrigerate. Then top and bake the next day.

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  • Blueberry Maple Breakfast Bake

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (19)

    Blueberries are sprinkled throughout this easy breakfast casserole. It’s a great option for a smaller gathering and takes only seven ingredients. You can make this on the spur of the moment or assemble it beforehand and bake the next day.

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    Continue to 17 of 18 below.

  • Spinach Florentine Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (20)

    English muffins turn out to be excellent in a breakfast casserole. This rich and creamy one is a take on spinach Florentine, so it feels posh but it's quite easy to make.

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  • Asparagus and Leek Breakfast Casserole

    18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (21)

    Asparagus and leeks make an otherwise fairly standard breakfast casserole more memorable. The recipe calls for feta and Parmesan, but try Gruyere or even some Brie leftover from your cheese platter.

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18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays (2024)

FAQs

How long can I refrigerate an egg casserole before baking? ›

At this point, you can either bake it right away or refrigerate the casserole overnight and for up to 24 hours. During this time, the flavors mingle together and the bread has a chance to soak up some of the liquid and flavor.

Can you freeze uncooked eggs in a casserole? ›

Yes, you can. Raw eggs are fairly stable in the freezer, especially when beaten or mixed with other ingredients. Check to see what else is in the casserole, though. Hard-cooked eggs, potatoes, rice and pasta don't freeze particularly well because they break down and lose their texture.

Can you make a casserole with raw egg and leave it uncooked overnight in the fridge? ›

An egg strata traditionally consists of layered bread, cheese, and other foods (such as cooked sausage, ham, bacon, shrimp, or vegetables) over which a mixture of raw beaten eggs and milk are poured. The casserole is covered and refrigerated overnight to allow the liquid ingredients to be absorbed into the bread.

What is a breakfast casserole made of? ›

To make a breakfast casserole you beat some eggs, add milk and cheese, add cubed bread, add "mix-ins" like mushrooms, veggies, sausage, and herbs, put it in a casserole dish, and bake.

Is it better to freeze a breakfast casserole, cooked or uncooked? ›

The answer depends on what's in it. Casseroles with raw protein (meat, poultry, seafood) should be completely cooked before freezing. However dishes with pre-cooked meats or no meat are fine to go in the freezer uncooked.

Do you freeze breakfast casserole before or after baking? ›

Baked casserole may be frozen, up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight and bake at 350ºF (177ºC) for about 20 minutes or until heated through. To freeze this casserole: you can freeze unbaked casserole up to 2 months. Cover very tightly with plastic wrap and foil.

Do breakfast casseroles freeze well? ›

One of the best things about casseroles is that they freeze beautifully. With these freezer-friendly breakfast casseroles, you'll always have a hearty brunch at the ready. There's nothing more crowd-pleasing than a freezer breakfast casserole like our Tater Tot Breakfast Bake or Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole.

Why shouldn't you freeze raw eggs? ›

Eggs contain water, and since water expands when frozen, freezing a raw egg might cause the shell to crack. This can allow bacteria to enter the egg and make it dangerous to consume. In addition, the FDA does not recommend freezing hard-boiled whole eggs or hard-boiled whites.

Can you freeze eggs and then bake with them? ›

Things bakers know: Yes, you can freeze eggs for baking | King Arthur Baking.

How many days is a breakfast casserole good for? ›

Bacon Sausage Egg Casserole FAQs

Egg bake casserole is typically safe to eat for up to 5 days, though the texture is best if eaten within a day or two.

Can I leave an egg mixture in the fridge? ›

If you've got raw egg yolks or whites left over from a recipe which you don't want to waste (let's face it, why would you?), you can store them in the fridge as long as you plan to use them within the next few days.

What to serve with a breakfast casserole? ›

But I often get asked by my readers what to serve alongside breakfast casserole. You could always keep it simple and pair a breakfast casserole with something simple like crispy bacon, turkey sausage, some other breakfast meat, hash browns, or fresh fruit.

Why is my breakfast casserole soggy? ›

Pre-cook the veggies. Veggies are naturally watery. As they cook, they release that moisture. If they only cook in the casserole, all that extra moisture will also be IN your casserole.

Why is my breakfast casserole runny in the middle? ›

Why Is My Breakfast Casserole Runny? The key to a breakfast casserole that is moist and delicious but not runny is to make sure you have the proper ratio of bread, eggs, and milk. If there is too much liquid for the bread to absorb, the result could be a runny casserole.

What is John Wayne casserole made of? ›

That's right, the iconic John Wayne Casserole is named after none other than the actor himself. Typically, you'll find that most recipes call for refrigerated biscuits or Bisquick, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, sour cream, mayonnaise, ground beef, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and Cheddar cheese.

How long can egg casserole be in the fridge? ›

Refrigerate leftover cooked egg dishes and use within 3 to 4 days. When refrigerating a large amount of a hot egg-containing leftover, divide it into several shallow containers so it will cool quickly.

Can you leave raw egg mixture in the fridge? ›

If you've got raw egg yolks or whites left over from a recipe which you don't want to waste (let's face it, why would you?), you can store them in the fridge as long as you plan to use them within the next few days.

How long does it take a refrigerated casserole to come to room temp? ›

How long does it take a refrigerated casserole to come to room temp? Depending on the size of the dish and the density of its contents, it takes about an hour for to come up to room temperature. Add more time for a larger pan or one with dense contents.

How long can you refrigerate casserole? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth.

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