25+ Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas for Christmas

December 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Breakfast, Eat Well, Freezer Breakfast, Freezer Meal Recipes, Recipe, Recipe Round-Up /by Rachel Tiemeyer

By Rachel Tiemeyer

Don’t spend Christmas morning working away in the kitchen! Instead, prepare a few of these delicious make ahead breakfast ideas in advance, so you can relax and enjoy time with your loved ones. We rounded up the best of the best recipes on the internet!

Pin image for 25 Make Ahead Christmas Breakfas Ideas

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are sponsored and/or affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here’s our full disclosure.

The BEST Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas for Christmas Morning

As freezer cooking experts and authors of From Freezer to Table and From Freezer to Cooker, we know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to make ahead meals. We scoured the internet to help you find the VERY BEST make ahead breakfast and brunch ideas for Christmas morning. Off we go!

1. Crockpot Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Gruyere from Thriving Home

Friends and family will oooh and ahhhh over this gourmet breakfast casserole. Its depth of flavor and beautiful color come from the bacon, onions, garlic, kale, roasted red peppers, and Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses. Turn on the crockpot first thing in the morning, and it will be ready by a mid-morning brunch.

Breakfast Casserole in a Crockpot on a wooden cutting board

2. Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Thriving Home

Our Christmas mornings aren’t complete without cinnamon rolls. We’ve made these for YEARS. Make ahead and refrigerate them using our instructions. Then bake fresh in the morning.

3. Overnight Cinnamon Roll Casserole from Gimme Some Oven

If making cinnamon rolls from scratch ain’t your thing, no worries. Try this fake-out cinnamon roll casserole that you can make ahead. With all that cinnamon, sugar, and cream cheesy frosting, you may never know the difference. 🙂

4. Easy Breakfast Casserole Muffins from Thriving Home

If you have kids at home, this is a simple recipe they can help with. Make, freeze, and enjoy these single-serving egg casseroles on Christmas morning and beyond. Low stress and tasty!

breakfast casserole muffins on a white plate

5. Glazed Cranberry Orange Scones from Sally’s Baking Addiction

How gorgeous will these look on your holiday breakfast table? Sally gives several ideas at the bottom of the recipe for how to make them ahead of time–either weeks in advance or the night before.

6. Ham and Cheese Quiche from The Cozy Cook

This simple Ham and Cheese Quiche can be made ahead of time and is totally freezer friendly! A hint of caramelized onions along with savory ham and two kinds of cheese makes this an unbeatable flavor combination!

7. Blueberry Avocado Muffins from Thriving Home

A reader favorite! The tasteless (and nutritious) avocado keeps these muffins moist, while the blueberries and crumble topping bring the sweetness.

Blueberry Avocado Muffins with Lemon Streusel Topping from "From Freezer to Table" Cookbook (copyrighted) — Photo Credit: *From Freezer to Table*

8. Overnight Gingerbread French Toast Breakfast Bake from Averie Cooks

Christmas in a casserole! Buttery, soft baked French toast that tastes a lot like soft gingerbread and molasses cookies.

9. Bacon and Spinach Quiche from Thriving Home

Just a handful of ingredients come together to create this cheesy, decadent quiche. Make ahead and bake it the morning you want it. So beautiful and delicious!

bacon and spinach quiche slice on a plate

10. Berry French Toast Casserole by Joyous Apron

Prepare the night before and pop into the oven when you wake up in the morning. You’ll end up with a moist on the inside, slightly crispy on the top French toast casserole with loads of fresh strawberries and blueberries.

berry french toast casserole in a white casserole dish — Photo Credit: Joyous Apron

11. Maple Sage Breakfast Sausage from Budget Bytes

Make these homemade sausage patties ahead of time, refrigerate or freeze them, and cook them Christmas morning. They also reheat well in the microwave or oven after being cooked.

sausage patties cooking in a cast iron skillet — Photo Credit: Budget Bytes

12. Dark Chocolate Raspberry Coffee Cake from Sally’s Baking Addiction

You had me at dark chocolate. I mean at raspberries. Actually at coffee cake. I’ve decided there is nothing NOT to love about this gorgeous breakfast cake. Perfect for the holidays!

13. Freezer Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches from Damn Delicious

Simple to make yet a special treat because of the croissants. These make ahead sandwiches are definitely Christmas worthy.

croissant breakfast sandwiches on a baking sheet — Photo Credit: Damn Delicious

14. Freezer Breakfast Burritos from Thriving Home

Make a big batch of these eggy-cheesy-bacony burritos ahead of time for Christmas morning and beyond. Either thaw and heat up OR you can warm from frozen.

15. Chocolate Sweet Potato Banana Bread from Thriving Home

A decadent-tasting, chocolatey sweet bread that includes some sneaky nutrition. (No one has to know!) Double and freeze this less-guilt recipe to have on hand for the holidays!

16. Amazing Mexican Breakfast Casserole from Gimme Some Oven

Loaded with colorful ingredients, this unique breakfast casserole is naturally gluten-free (and can also be made vegetarian), easy to make ahead, and, according to Ali from Gimme Some Oven, “just ridiculously delicious!”.

17. Overnight Cinnamon Apple French Toast Bake from Damn Delicious

Soaked in maple syrup and topped with tender cinnamon apples and toasted pecans, your crew will love this beautiful, aromatic overnight French toast.

apple cinnamon overnight french toast — Photo Credit: Damn Delicious

18. Make Ahead Biscuits and Gravy from Simply Home Cooked

Who doesn’t love good biscuits and gravy? Who doesn’t want to spend time making it on Christmas? (Me!) Try this recipe that includes make ahead instructions, so you can have your ~~cake~~ biscuit and eat it, too.

biscuits and gravy on a plate with a fork — Photo Credit: Simply Home Cooked

19. Biscuit Breakfast Casserole from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Here’s another way to get biscuits on the table without all the hassle the morning of! Eggs, sausage, peppers, and cheese meet buttery biscuits all in one dish.

Biscuit breakfast casserole in a white casserole dish — Photo Credit: Sally’s Baking Addiction

20. Mini Cranberry Orange Cream Scones from Budget Bytes

These festive two-bite scones can be made ahead, frozen, and warmed on Christmas morning. Yum!

Glazed Cranberry Orange Cream Scones on a cooling rack. — Photo Credit: Budget Bytes

21. Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole (GF) from Gimme Some Oven

This gluten-free breakfast casserole doesn’t skimp on comfort or flavor. With hearty hash browns, eggs and cheese as the anchor, the onions, garlic, and red bell peppers add color and pizzazz. Easy to prep ahead, stick in the fridge, and bake the next morning.

Easy Cheesy Breakfast Casserole | gimmesomeoven.com — Photo Credit: Gimme Some Oven

22. Gingerbread Muffins with Lemon Glaze by Sally’s Baking Addiction

With beautiful crackly tops, robust spice flavor, and a zippy lemon glaze, I love the sound of these festive and unique muffins for Christmas morning!

23. Fluffy Eggs and Bacon from Thriving Home

A reader favorite! We take a shortcut for this make ahead casserole and have you use a baking mix (like Bisquick), so you can spend more time with family and less time in the kitchen.

24. Breakfast Enchiladas from Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®

Infuse some Tex-Mex into your Christmas morning menu with these easy-to-prepare Breakfast Enchiladas. Don’t the red and green bell peppers add a fun holiday pop?

breakfast enchiladas casserole — Photo Credit: Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®

25. Make Ahead Banana Breakfast Cake from Thriving Home

Want at least one (delicious) healthy-ish item on the Christmas breakfast table? Throw this nutritious sweet bread together in advance and serve it alongside a savory casserole in this round-up. It’s a family favorite around here.

26. Tater Tot Breakfast Bake by Midwest Foodie

Loaded with eggs, cheese, veggies, bacon, and ham, this easy comfort casserole takes just minutes to throw together. Prep ahead of time, and then just add the tator tots at the last minute before popping it into the oven.

Overhead shot of a pan filled with homemade breakfast casserole — Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie

27. French Toast Casserole with Streusel Topping by Plated Cravings

Julia from Plated Cravings says, “Easy to prep in advance and topped with a crunchy Cinnamon Pecan Streusel, this baked french toast recipe saves you time in the morning and tastes so delicious.”

28. Coffee Cake by Preppy Kitchen

John from Preppy Kitchen says you can make this melt-in-your-mouth coffee cake ahead, wrap tightly, and freeze. Then, warm up on Christmas morning using his instructions.

A piece of coffee cake with a few bites taken out. — Photo Credit: Preppy Kitchen

More Make Ahead Recipes You’ll Love

30+ Kid-Friendly Freezer Meals

When it comes to cooking for picky kids, we’ve got your back. Many of these make ahead recipes in this round up are tried and true in our homes.

pin image for kid friendly freezer meals

20 Meals for Groups of People

Whether you have a big family or a group to feed, try our popular round-up of big batch recipes! Almost every recipe includes make ahead and freeze instructions.

pin image for meals to make for a large group

Make Ahead 10-Minute Cranberry Sauce

November 5, 2020/0 Comments/in Dairy-Free, Eat Well, Freezer Meal Recipes, Freezer Sides, Freezer Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Recipe, Sides & Salads, Vegetarian /by Rachel Tiemeyer

By Rachel Tiemeyer

Wow your guests at your next holiday meal with this deceptively simple Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce. The best part is that you can work ahead and freeze it, so you can spend more time with loved ones at your gathering.

Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce with orange zest and fresh cranberries

To be honest, I used to think cranberry sauce came from a can, and I wanted nothing to do with that gelatinous mound of goo. Yuck! Once I tasted homemade cranberry sauce many years later, though, I realized what an amazingly delicious, tangy-sweet side dish it is!

homemade cranberry sauce in a glass bowl with orange and rosemary as garnish

What’s in This Sauce?

When first making my own cranberry sauce, I learned that it is one of THE easiest and most beautiful holiday side dishes ever, producing “ooos and ahhhs” every year it shows up at the holiday table.

My recipe includes fresh or frozen cranberries, fresh orange juice and zest, honey, and several autumnal spices. You can even toss in a little bit of fresh, minced rosemary if you’d like, too. The smell is out of this world!

zesting orange over homemade cranberry sauce in a pot

My daughter, age 12 now, has been making this Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce for our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for many years now. Homemade cranberry sauce is THAT easy. It really only takes 10 minutes to come together!

Can You Freeze Cranberry Sauce?

You can definitely freeze homemade cranberry sauce! In fact, we double the recipe at Thanksgiving and freeze half for Christmas!

To freeze your sauce, let it cool and then seal and freeze it in a BPA freezer bag, a freezer container with lid, or a mason jar (leave 1 inch of head room at the top).

When you’re ready to use it later, let the cranberry sauce thaw in the refrigerator or use one of these 3 safes ways to defrosting it. Warm it up over low heat on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

homemade cranberry sauce in a glass bowl with fresh cranberries, orange, and rosemary as garnish

Cooking and freezing ahead is one of our top 10 tips for making a big holiday meal less stressful!

Main Dishes That Go with Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce isn’t just for turkey. Serve it up alongside one of these main dishes, too.

Holiday Ham with Cranberry-Orange Glaze

spiral sliced ham on a serving dish with parsley and grapes

Pork Tenderloin with Seasoned Rub

From my family to yours, I hope you enjoy this beautiful, aromatic, and EASY side dish at your next holiday meal.

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Make Ahead 10-Minute Cranberry Sauce

Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 cups (6 servings) 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stove Top or Instant Pot
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This cranberry sauce is made with all real food ingredients, comes together in just 10 minutes, and can be frozen ahead of time. So delicious!

Ingredients

12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries, rinsed and sorted
1⁄2 cup honey
Zest of 1 medium orange (about 1 teaspoon)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of ground nutmeg

Instructions

Make It Now

Stovetop Method: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, honey, 1/2 cup water, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have popped and the mixture has thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Instant Pot Method: Turn on the Sauté function. Combine the cranberries, honey, 1⁄2 cup water, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have popped and the mixture has thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Freeze For Later

Let sauce cool completely. Seal and freeze in a freezer bag or freezer container with lid. Seal and freeze.

Prepare From Frozen

Thaw. Warm gently over low heat on the stove, in a crock pot, or in the microwave.

Top 3 Dump and Go Crock Pot Meals (+ Shopping List)

October 19, 2020/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Rachel Tiemeyer

By Rachel Tiemeyer

We’ve rounded up 3 amazing dump and go crock pot meals. Bonus: You can make them ahead and freeze for later, too. Freezing instructions and shopping list included!

This post was created in partnership with Hy-Vee (Columbia).

Dump and Go Crock Pot Meals: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Let’s start with the bad and ugly. After researching, testing, and writing a cookbook all about slow cooker meals, one of the big takeaways for us was that most “dump and go” crockpot meals just aren’t very good. Most delicious slow cooker meals require a few extra steps to get the texture and flavor just right.

But…but, but, but…there are a few exceptions to this rule. We’ve pulled together three of our very best drop and go crock pot meals: Honey Bourbon Chicken, French Dip Sandwiches, and Vegetarian Tortilla Soup.

No extra–or very few extra–steps are required of these dishes. You’ll simply throw all your ingredients in the slow cooker for a hands-free dinner OR in a freezer bag for later. The combo of ingredients only get tastier as they slow cook!

Double and Freeze All 3 Recipes

A smart way to use your time efficiently is to double each of the recipes below and freeze them for later. Polly and I both do this regularly and call it the “freezer cooking lifestyle.” Believe us when we say, your future self will thank you!

Simply, set aside about an hour to make 2 batches of all 3 recipes. After doubling all these recipes, you’ll stock your freezer with 6 meals! You’ll have dinner ready to go for weeks.

To make it super easy for you, we’ve made you a shopping list with enough ingredients to double each of the 3 recipes.

shopping list for dump and go crock pot meals

Ultimate Time Saver: Use Aisles Online!

We recommend doing your shopping at Hy-Vee where ingredients are well stocked, it’s easy to keep kids entertained, and the store is clean and well staffed.

If you’re an online shopper, just hop to Aisles Online and fill up your cart with the ingredient list. It’s even easier to shop for sales this way in my opinion!

Their website is incredibly easy to navigate and their pick-up process is flawless…

Or, you can even have your groceries delivered…

I can think of no easier way to make this cooking session happen than having someone drop the groceries right to your doorstep.

You can do this!

Learn More about Aisles Online HERE

Download and Print the Shopping List

As a reminder, this list is for the go-getters who want to double all three of these recipes. If you only want to make one or two, simply print off the recipe card(s) below.

Top 3 Dump and Go Crock Pot Meals

Alright, you know where to shop for the ingredients (Hy-Vee), you know the easiest way to get them to your home (Aisles Online), and you’ve heard our plea to double the recipes to save yourself time in the long run. Now it’s time to get cooking!

Every recipe that we link to below has instructions for how to freeze it ahead and how to prepare it from frozen.

1. Honey Bourbon Chicken

A little sweet and a little spicy, this easy chicken recipe is BIG on flavor and takes just minutes to throw in the slow cooker. Stir fry some veggies while it cooks and then serve it all over rice. A reader favorite!

MAKE IT AHEAD: Add the sauce ingredients and chicken to a gallon-sized freezer bag. Seal, toss to combine, and freeze.

TO PREPARE: Thaw and place the meal in the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Shred or chop and serve over rice and stir-fried veggies.

A similar recipe to this one is our Teriyaki Chicken Thighs. You might like that one as well!

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