Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

We hosted friends recently at our house for the weekend. Whenever we have guests, I prefer to do as much of the prep work ahead of time as possible. So it should come as no surprise that I lean on recipes like this make ahead breakfast casserole as a go-to breakfast option when entertaining people for the weekend.

Not only is this recipe super versatile, but you can assemble it entirely ahead of time and then pop it into your oven when ready to eat!

The vegetables and protein in the below Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole recipe are honestly more of a suggestion than a rule; I was using up a bunch of vegetables I had on hand, so feel free to use whatever sounds good to you as well!

Ingredients (serves 8):

  • 1 (10 oz) loaf sourdough bread, cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (16 oz) container sliced mushrooms
  • 1 (6 oz) bag baby spinach
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 dozen eggs, large
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 (8 oz) bag shredded cheddar cheese

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Lamb and Eggplant Casserole

I have made this Lamb and Eggplant Casserole, adapted from Maureen Abood’s Eggplant with Lamb, Tomato and Pine Nuts recipe, multiple times. And there is only one word for my feelings about this recipe: obsessed.

This Lebanese dish made with layers of eggplant, spiced lamb, and tomato sauce topped with cheese is going to become one of your absolute favorites!

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs eggplant, cut into ½-inch slices
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 12 ounces mozzarella, sliced
  • hot rice, for serving

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Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Last week, I shared a savory breakfast casserole, great for a large crowd.

So today, I wanted to share a version for those who love a sweet breakfast!

This Blueberry French Toast Casserole is easy to make the day of, or to assemble the night before for an easier next-day breakfast. My recipe is adapted from a version you can find here.

Ingredients:

French Toast Casserole

  • 1 loaf of challah bread, cut into cubes
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, cut into small cubes
  • 2 (6 oz) packages fresh blueberries
  • 12 eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

Blueberry Syrup

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 (6 oz) package fresh blueberries
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • juice of 1/2 lemon

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Spinach and Artichoke Breakfast Casserole

Last weekend, we were invited to a potluck brunch for a friend’s birthday. I wanted to bring a savory breakfast dish that would work well for a crowd.

With the big game this weekend, my mind went to making a breakfast version of spinach artichoke dip. I live in Philadelphia, so I clearly had to make a green dish too!

This Spinach and Artichoke Breakfast Casserole is packed with spinach, artichokes, bell peppers, onions and cheese. The result is a flavorful dish that can feed up to 12.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 (14 oz) can artichokes hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1  teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, for garnish

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Chicken Chilaquiles Casserole

My fiance is obsessed with leftovers. For whatever reason, he seems to think that most food tastes better the second time around. So I typically make a few more servings than we need so that he has his beloved leftovers the next day.

OXO makes cooking and storing food/leftovers super simple with their new 14 Piece Glass Bake, Serve & Store Set (paid link). The set is awesome to prepare foods beforehand, or to easily refrigerate/freeze any leftovers. It includes a Glass 3 Qt Baking Dish with Lid, Glass 2 Qt Baking Dish with Lid, Glass Loaf Pan, Glass Pie Plate, 1 Cup Round SNAP Container, 2 Cup Round SNAP Container, and 4 Cup Round SNAP Container.

For make ahead recipes, this glass bakeware is a huge time saver: they are made of thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass, which allows dishes to be taken directly from the freezer to the oven or microwave — no need to fully thaw. The glass can withstand up to 250 degrees F of temperature change! Generous handles make removing dishes from the oven super easy, even when wearing oven mitts.

This set is perfect for recipes on the go as well; the baking dishes and SNAP containers come with raised slosh-proof lids for easy transportation. The SNAP Glass Food Storage is also microwave safe for reheating leftovers (just undo the tabs of the lid first), and provides a leak-proof seal, so it’s great for lunches to take to work!

I made this recipe for Chicken Chilaquiles Casserole recently for dinner using OXO’s 3 quart baking dish (9×13). Chilaquiles are actually typically a breakfast recipe, using lightly fried tortillas and salsa. This version is a casserole take on the traditional, and uses grilled corn tortillas baked with a quick homemade tomatillo salsa, rotisserie chicken, and cheese.

Ingredients:

  • meat from 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded (~3 cups)
  • 1 cup 1% low-fat milk
  • 1/3 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 (26 oz) can whole tomatillos, drained
  • 1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chilies, drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped scallions
  • 1 cup finely chopped Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • cooking spray
  • 16 (6 inch) corn tortillas
  • chopped red bell pepper and cilantro, for garnish

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Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Spice French Toast Casserole #DelightfulMoments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DelightfulMoments #CollectiveBias

It’s no secret that I love all things Pumpkin. I have over 20 posts on my blog including pumpkin/pumpkin spice, but haven’t posted a pumpkin-themed recipe yet this year, what an oversight!

To make up for my lack of pumpkin posts, I’ve got a pret-ty awesome recipe for you today that can be used as a super decadent breakfast (perfect for snow days or holiday mornings with family!) or a really delicious dessert.

This recipe for Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Spice French Toast Casserole is flavored with International Delight’s Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer, which I picked up at my local Walmart. (It can be found in refrigerated bins near the milk, or at the end of an aisle in a refrigerated case.) The creamer adds a swirl of seasonal spice flavors into your coffee (and recipes), inspired by pumpkin pie. Yum!

This recipe pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee flavored with International Delight’s Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer; Walmart also sells single creamers as well. I picked up some of the French Vanilla Single Creamers, which I added to my coffee to enjoy with this breakfast.

As family gathers for the holidays, this recipe is the perfect addition to breakfast or brunch. It’s simple to make and uses the slow cooker to keep your oven and stove free for preparing the main holiday meal!

International Delight wants to hear about your holiday spirit by sharing a video, photo or story through their website. You can win a $5,000 holiday brunch  with all your favorite International Delight products! Learn more here.

 

Ingredients:

French Toast Casserole:

  • 1 lb challah bread, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 cups almond milk (or regular milk)
  • 1 cup International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer
  • 1 (8 oz) can pumpkin puree

Crumble:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted margarine or butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup pecans, chopped

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Slow Cooker Nutella French Toast Casserole

As most of the U.S. has been dealing with seriously cold weather and snow, I thought it was time to share another French Toast recipe. Without fail, people always go out before a storm and stock up on bread, milk, and eggs so French Toast is the perfect meal on a snow day. This recipe for Slow Cooker Nutella French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Bananas is sure to become a favorite snow day meal for you!

This recipe is based off my Slow Cooker Apple French Toast Casserole, but incorporates Nutella and tops it off with caramelized bananas for good measure. I love using my slow cooker for French Toast because it makes a bunch of servings to either share with a group or pack up and enjoy all week!

Ingredients (get all ingredients here):

  • 1 loaf challah bread (about 1 pound), cut into cubes
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups vanilla almond milk (or normal milk)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 heaping tablespoons Nutella, plus more for topping
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 4 bananas, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

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Green Bean Casserole with Mushrooms

My goodness, can you really believe that Thanksgiving is in ten days? Thanksgiving is (not surprisingly) my favorite holiday of the year: it’s about coming together with the people you love for one absolutely fantastic meal. I do love turkey, but I always find the sides to be the best part of any Thanksgiving meal. In case you’re like me and you’ve begun testing recipes for the big day, I wanted to share this lightened up version of Green Bean Casserole with Mushrooms from Cooking Light. Although usually made with cream of mushroom soup, this version packs enough flavor that you won’t miss the lack of cream. And don’t worry, the fried onions are still there.

Ingredients
For the fried onions:

  • 1 medium sized yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Canola Oil

 

For Green Beans:

  • 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed and halved crosswise
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped sweet onion
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
  • 1 (8-ounce) package presliced baby bella mushrooms
  • 1/3 cup dry sherry
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

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