Wake Up Merry with Christmas Breakfast Casseroles

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
When stockings need to be unstuffed and presents need to be unwrapped, who has time to flip pancakes or scramble eggs? We don’t. Wake up on Christmas morning to comforting savory and sweet breakfast casseroles prepped and ready to feed a crowd. Many of these recipes are best when they’re left to soak overnight, meaning you have another reason to wake up excited on Christmas morning.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
A short stack of golden pancakes is undoubtedly good on its own, but Food Network Kitchen bakes pancakes into a rich, creamy custard for an extra-special morning treat. As always, pancakes — even in Pancake Breakfast Casserole form — are best served with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and a scattering of fresh berries. For a breakfast casserole on the fly, remember that frozen pancakes are a thing.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Especially if you have a vegetarian or two under your roof, this meat-free Spinach, Mushroom and Cheese Breakfast Casserole is the way to go. With hearty vegetables laced into every scoop, this casserole is a great way of using up stale bread. Just pour the savory custard over the top and let it all sit in the fridge, preferably overnight. Come morning, it will bake in the oven until rich and creamy in the center and crunchy on top.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Stir ham and kale into creamed corn before topping with cornbread batter and baking till fluffy. Though this one doesn’t soak overnight, it doesn’t take long to make the cornbread topping from scratch, and this satisfying recipe for Breakfast Cornbread Casserole with Ham and Kale is easy to customize with whatever meat and greens you have on hand.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
If you’ve ever been gifted this ubiquitous sweet bread, make it into Panettone French Toast Casserole by pouring a rich, creamy custard over the top and baking. Though no one seems to eat it by the loaf when it sits out on the counter, breakfast eaters will return for back-to-back scoops of this reborn breakfast casserole.
For even more ideas to wake up merry and bright, get the full list of Christmas Breakfast Casseroles from Food Network.