18 Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles for the Holidays

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

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
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
Rachel Knecht
An overhead view of spinach Florentine breakfast casserole as a serving is removed

Simply Recipes / Fred Harvey

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

    As You Like It Breakfast Casserole

    Simply Recipes

    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

    Baked French Toast with Blueberries

    Simply Recipes / Cindy Rahe

    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

    Sausage Breakfast Casserole Lifted from a Casserole Dish Using a Spatula

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    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

    Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

    Simply Recipes / Sheryl Julian

    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

    Overnight French Toast Casserole - slice of french toast casserole with raspberry sauce on white plate

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickle

    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

    Frittata with Potatoes, Red Peppers, and Spinach

    Simply Recipes

    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

    Biscuits and Gravy Bake

    Simply Recipes / Irvin Lin

    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

    Bagel Breakfast Casserole with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese

    Simply Recipes / Marta Rivera

    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

    Make Ahead French Toast Casserole

    Simply Recipes / Lisa Lin

    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

    Fall Breakfast Casserole with a sprig of fresh sage on top.

    Simply Recipes / Rachael Narins

    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

    Serving of Monte Cristo croissant casserole on a small plate, and in the surroundings, more in a casserole dish, a container of jelly, and cups of coffee

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    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

    Zucchini Breakfast Casserole

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    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

    Ham and Asparagus Strata

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    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

    Slow cooker french toast casserole on a plate.

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Gavin

    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

    Easy Breakfast Casserole With Prosciutto

    Simply Recipes / Katie Morford

    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

    Blueberry maple breakfast bake in a metal baking pan.

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    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

    Spinach florentine breakfast casserole in a casserole dish at a table setting with a serving on a plate, glasses of orange juice, a bowl of crushed pepper, and a spatula

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    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

    Breakfast Casserole with Leeks and Asparagus

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    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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