Breakfast Recipes

Here are a few easy breakfast casserole recipes- perfect if you are hosting a brunch.

The cool thing about these recipes is that you can make them the night before and then just stick them in your oven in the morning- and they make a ton of food- great for company- and it is nice because one is sweet and one is more "meaty" even though I make it vegetarian. Add some fresh fruit salad and you have a respectable spread for not a lot of work.

Here goes:

Hash Brown Casserole
1 can cream of mushroom (or whatever, I use potato) soup
1 16 oz tub sour cream
1 2-lb package frozen hash browns
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
optional - diced ham, bacon, etc.

Combine all ingredients and pour into lightly greased 13x9 pan. Bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.

French Toast Casserole
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter
3 apples- sliced (and peeled if you prefer though I love cooked apple skins)
1/2 cup raisins or cranberries (optional)
1 loaf french baguette, cut into apx. 1" cubes
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk (or cream if you are so inclined)
1 Tbsp vanilla
2 tsp ground cinnamon
powdered sugar

Grease 13x9 baking dish. In large bowl, mix brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, melted butter. Stir in apples and raisins until evenly coat. Pour into greased pan.

In bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, 2 tsp cinnamon. Stir in bread and make sure each piece is evenly coated. Pour bread and any leftover egg mixture over apples, arranging in an even layer. Cover with foil and stick in fridge overnight. (OK if you cook it right away too).

Preheat oven to 375. Remove dish from fridge and let stand while oven is preheating. Bake covered for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes and then dust with powdered sugar.

And this last one is from a friend who turned me on to the Hot Artichoke and Baked Brie recipe posted here, so while I have not yet tried it, I am certain it will be yummy.

Breakfast Caserole
sourdough bread (torn up)
breakfast sausage - crumbled (i like 'hot' and sometimes I use 2 - can also use bacon if you want)
1 large can mild green chilies
extra sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)
6 eggs (beaten in bowl)
2 cups milk

Butter 9x11 casserole dish
line bottom with torn pieces of bread
cover with sausage
spinkle with cheese
mix eggs with milk and chilies in separate bowl and pour entire mixture over the casserole

Bake: 45 mins or so, until set

Can be made day before and reheated. I can imagine other good things to layer in like fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, or even spinach.