These Easy, Make-Ahead Breakfast and Brunch Ideas are guaranteed to win over family and friends this Thanksgiving! From sweet baked goods to overnight casseroles, this collection of tried and true recipes will surely get the holiday off to a fantastic start.
Brew a pot of coffee, set the table, and welcome folks into your kitchen. It’s time to get Thanksgiving started! Like most people, I tend to focus on the main Thanksgiving dinner, but I also want to ensure I serve some yummy food to start the day.
Success Tips for a Smooth Thanksgiving Brunch
- Plan Dishes That Can Be Prepped Ahead
Choose recipes like muffins, breads, or casseroles that are easy to prepare in advance. - Cook and Store Ahead of Time
Make your dishes the day before and store them in the fridge or freezer to save time on Thanksgiving morning. - Focus on Family, Not the Kitchen
By preparing ahead, you can enjoy more moments with your loved ones and less time cooking during the celebration.
Home Baked Breads And Muffins
Making homemade baked goods sets the stage for a cozy, festive atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome and cherished. These goodies, from easy-to-make cinnamon rolls to quick breads, are a wonderful addition to a holiday menu.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Sweet, fluffy Easy Cinnamon Rolls made with a brown sugar cinnamon swirl, and topped with a vanilla cream cheese icing are outrageously delicious!
Glazed Orange Muffins
Glazed Orange Muffins are a sweet way to brighten your day! Made with fresh orange juice and zest, they’re tender and soft with just the right amount of sweetness. These scratch-made muffins are ideal for breakfast, brunch,
Blueberry Lemon Scones Recipe
Warm and buttery Blueberry Scones, made with lemon zest and a sweet citrusy glaze, are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack any day of the year! Fresh out of the oven in less than 30 minutes, these scones are mouthwateringly delicious and are hands down better than your local bakery or coffee shop!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is tender, super-moist, and incredibly delicious! This easy-to-make recipe is full of bananas and chocolate chips with an added sprinkle of pecans, making it the ideal quick bread for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or dessert.
Apple Strudel
This recipe is just straight up, no kidding, really good. Apples, brown sugar, a few spices all wrapped in flakey puffed pastry. Yep, that’s pretty much it.
Eggnog Muffins
Make the holidays sweeter with Eggnog Muffins! Loaded with a double dose of eggnog, in the batter, and in the glazed icing, these cakelike muffins are full of warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors.
Easy Banana Nut Bread
Prepped in just 10 minutes and in one bowl, this quick bread is a family favorite that disappears quickly!
Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
Apple Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread made with warm spices and sweet apples layered in between buttery dough is a recipe sure to become a family favorite.
Blueberry Bread With Lemon Glaze
Loaded with juicy blueberries and topped with a bright, sweet glaze, this quick bread recipe is a welcome treat whenever it’s served. Blueberry Bread with Lemon Glaze makes a great grab-and-go breakfast and is perfect to serve with coffee for an afternoon snack.
Morning Glory Muffins Recipe
Morning Glory Muffins are loaded with carrots, coconut, walnuts, apples, and zucchini, along with just the right amount of spice, and are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Lemon poppy seed muffins are a classic breakfast treat that can brighten up your morning with their tangy flavor and light, fluffy texture. With little pops of poppy seeds in every bite and a sweet, buttery topping, this recipe is great for an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea!
Zucchini Cheese Quick Bread
Warm, savory Zucchini Cheese Bread is super delicious and so easy to make. This no-yeast, quick bread is loaded with cheddar cheese and tender zucchini with just the right amount of garlic. Slather on some butter or enjoy it plain. Either way, you’ll be smitten with this simple recipe!
Pumpkin Pecan Quick Bread
A favorite fall treat is homemade pumpkin bread with a sweet, crunchy pecan streusel topping! It’s loaded with warm pumpkin spice flavors and is tender and moist inside, making it delicious.
Festive Drinks
The morning is not complete without a delicious beverage! Whether warm, spiced, or creamy, these drinks are a great way to start the day.
Classic Brunch Favorites
These dishes are comforting, flavorful, and perfect for enjoying with family and friends!
Best Homemade Sausage Gravy
Homemade Sausage Gravy ladled over warm biscuits is a classic Southern recipe that’s the ultimate breakfast comfort food. This simple, delicious dish, made with just 3 ingredients, in 20 minutes is a great way to start the day and is delicious for dinner!
Mom’s Best Egg Salad Sandwiches
Whether you serve these yummy sandwiches for lunch, at a picnic, wedding, baby showers, or for a light dinner, they will be a hit! This creamy egg salad is made with just a few ingredients and is a recipe anyone can make.
Ham And Cheese Hash Brown Casserole
This ham and cheese hash brown casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe perfect for breakfast or brunch. It’s a simple make-ahead dish that’s a must for the holidays or any time you feed a crowd.
Easy Pimento Cheese Grits
Two Southern classics are combined to make creamy, luscious Pimento Cheese Grits, and the result is outstanding! This recipe is simple, versatile, and perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a must for any holiday brunch.
Ham and Cheese Strata
Ham and Cheese Strata is a simple overnight casserole that’s so good for breakfast, brunch, or even a weeknight meal! Made with eggs, bread, ham, and two kinds of cheese, this make-ahead recipe lets you relax and enjoy time with family and friends around the table.
Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Buttery croissants, smokey ham, and gooey cheese are all baked together for the ultimate breakfast casserole. Inspired by the French classic, Croque Monsieur, this is an easy-to-make recipe that's heavenly served with powdered sugar, jam and perfect for breakfast, brunch, and a must for the holidays.
Bacon Cheddar Quiche Recipe
Bacon Cheddar Quiché is a classic dish that’s welcome on any breakfast, brunch table, or supper table! It’s made with three kinds of cheese, and smokey bacon, all baked in a buttery, flaky pie crust. Everyone will be smitten with this recipe after just one bite, whether served for a weeknight meal, lazy weekends, or the holidays.
Breakfast Burrito Bowls (Quick And Easy)
Quick and easy Breakfast Burrito Bowls are the perfect way to start the day! They are loaded with protein, fresh salsa, and creamy avocado. Just add a splash of hot sauce, and you've got an amazing breakfast to keep you fueled up all morning long.
Sausage Egg And Cheese Breakfast Cupcakes
These savory cupcakes are the perfect make-ahead breakfast and are great for busy families. With a new fun twist on a breakfast sandwich, you can make these yummy bites in just 30 minutes and stock your fridge or freezer for when you need a nourishing grab-and-go treat!
Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits Casserole
Full of deep, rich flavor, Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits Casserole takes comfort food to a whole new level! This simple recipe is excellent served alongside grilled steak, pork, and fish or anytime you’re craving a luscious, flavor-packed side dish.
Cheesy And Delicious Hashbrown Potato Casserole
Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Casserole is pure comfort food that's easy to make and is always a crowd-pleaser at family gatherings, potlucks, and a must for breakfast or brunch.
Fresh Salads And Sides
These light, refreshing salads are the perfect accompaniment to any breakfast dish.
Sunshine Fruit Salad (Fresh And Easy)
Put a little sunshine into your life with this simple, fresh salad. Use your favorite seasonal fruit, pour on the honey cinnamon dressing, and you're ready for a delicious treat perfect for serving any time of the year.
Orange Cranberry Sauce
Easy to make Orange Cranberry Sauce is bursting with bold, bright flavors! Fresh cranberries sweetened with honey and maple syrup make this an outstanding no-sugar recipe to serve with turkey or ham.
Waldorf Salad
Crisp apples, juicy grapes along with crunchy celery and walnuts are tossed in a creamy dressing to make a classic recipe that’s super delicious! Waldorf Salad is a perfect side dish to serve any time of the year and is ideal for covered dish suppers, potlucks, or whenever you’re feeding a crowd.
Skillet Cinnamon Apples
Simple, easy Skillet Cinnamon Apples makes an amazing side dish, or dessert and is perfect for breakfast. Sauteed in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon your favorite fall apples are turned into a decedent creation that's hard to resist!
Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad
Ripe, juicy strawberries, tender pasta twirls, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a bright dressing, make a fresh, easy-to-make salad that's like a pop of summer in every bite.
Fruit Salad for A Crowd
Fresh fruit tossed in a bright citrus dressing with just a hint of cinnamon is a great, easy-to-make dish when you're feeding a crowd. It's always one of the first dishes to go on my buffet table. Whether you're hosting a holiday party, family reunion, block party, or tailgating, this fruit salad will be a fan favorite!
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