3 Healthy Holiday Breakfast Recipes for the Entire Family

By Nicole Spain, Registered Dietitian 

All too often, holiday breakfasts or brunches are full of excess sugar and fat.  This year, try one of these easy recipes to enjoy with your family over holiday break.  They can be made for a small family gathering or expanded to share with a crowd!

Everything Bagel Casserole
Serves 8

Ingredients:

Everything Bagels, chopped                                         4 each
Shredded Cheddar                                                          1 ½ C
Cherry Tomatoes, halved                                              1 ½ C
Low Fat Cream Cheese, cut into ½” cubes              8 oz
Red onion, thinly sliced                                                  ½ each
Eggs                                                                                       8 each
Skim Milk                                                                             2 ½ C
Green onions, thinly sliced                                           2 each
Poppy Seeds                                                                      1 tsp
Minced onion, dried                                                       1 tsp
sesame seeds                                                                    1 tsp
Garlic powder                                                                   1 tsp
Coarse salt                                                                          1 tsp
Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13” pan with cooking spray.
2. Scatter about half of bagel pieces in baking pan then top with half of the cheddar, tomatoes, cream cheese, and red onions. Repeat to make another layer.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and green onions.Season with salt and pepper.Pour mixture over bagels making sure to coat each piece.Sprinkle seasonings over casserole then cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.Remove foil and bake until bagels are golden and eggs are cooked through, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes.

Recipe adapted from www.delish.com

Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
Serves 8

Ingredients:

Turkey Bacon, cooked and crumbled       1 lb
Eggs                                                                       12 each
Skim milk                                                             1 C
Garlic powder                                                   ½ tsp
Frozen Hash Browns                                       1 ½ lbs
Medium onion, chopped                              1 each
Cheddar cheese                                                2 C
Salt & Pepper                                                    (to taste)

Directions:
1. Grease inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray.
2.  Whisk together eggs and milk and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
3.  In slow cooker, layer half the hash browns, bacon, onion and cheese.  Repeat layers, then pour over whisked eggs. 
4.  Cover and cook on low until eggs are fluffy and set (6-8 hours).

Recipe adapted from www.delish.com

Breakfast Cornbread Casserole
Serves 4

Ingredients:

Cornbread mix, whole grain                         32 oz
Skim milk                                                             ¼ C
Turkey Sausage, cooked & crumbled       1 lb
Red bell peppers, chopped                          1 each
Green Bell Pepper, chopped                       1 each
Medium onion, chopped                              1 each
Cheddar cheese, shredded                          1 ½ C

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 11x11” pan with cooking spray.
2. Prepare cornbread mix according to directions.Add ¼ cup skim milk for extra moist cornbread.
3. Add turkey sausage crumbles, chopped veggies, and shredded cheese to cornbread mixture. Stir thoroughly.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and cheese is melted.
5. Let cool for 5 minutes.