Best Southern Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

ByBackyard Texas Grill

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Find easy Southern breakfast and brunch recipes, from hearty casseroles and skillet favorites to cinnamon rolls, pancakes, breads, and more.

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There’s something special about a big weekend breakfast. From hearty breakfast casseroles and skillet potatoes to homemade cinnamon rolls, pancakes, muffins, and old-fashioned sweet treats, these Southern breakfast and brunch recipes are made for mornings when you have time to slow down and enjoy the meal.

Of course, around here breakfast isn’t limited to morning. We’re big fans of breakfast for supper, too!

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, planning a holiday breakfast, stocking the freezer with individual portions, or just craving pancakes on a Sunday night, you’ll find plenty of ideas here.

The Weekend Breakfast Table

Growing up, we didn’t have a big cooked breakfast every morning. Weekdays were much more practical: cereal, Pop-Tarts, and whatever got us fed and out the door.

But once a week, usually on Saturday or Sunday, we had a real breakfast. That was different. Breakfast became something to look forward to.

My mother made wonderful pancakes, but she always made them with Bisquick. In fact, Mom used Bisquick for just about everything that called for biscuits, pancakes, or a baking mix.

Maybe that’s why, even after all these years of cooking and baking, my first instinct is still to reach for that familiar box. Making things like pancakes and biscuits completely from scratch are skills I’ve had to teach myself along the way.

And you know what? I think there’s room for both approaches.

Some mornings call for measuring the flour and making the whole thing from scratch. Other mornings call for a shortcut that gets something warm and delicious on the table quickly.

You’ll find a little of both in this collection.

Hearty Breakfast Casseroles

Breakfast casseroles are some of the most useful recipes in my kitchen.

They’re perfect for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, overnight company, church gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you need to feed several hungry people without standing at the stove cooking individual servings.

They’re also made for sharing.

From time to time, we take breakfast to a group of senior citizens in the inner city when we gather for bingo and fellowship. You can usually count on a breakfast casserole or two being part of the meal. They travel well, feed plenty of people, and make a hearty breakfast without a lot of last-minute work.

Breakfast Casseroles Aren’t Just for Crowds

Here’s something else I love about them: a big breakfast casserole can be surprisingly practical when you’re cooking for one or two.

Bake the whole casserole and enjoy a serving while it’s fresh. Once the leftovers are cool, divide them into individual portions and freeze them.

Now that big casserole isn’t too much food. It’s several future breakfasts waiting in your freezer.

Pull out one portion at a time and you can have a homemade hot breakfast without cooking an entire meal again.

Easy Breakfast Casseroles

Cinnamon Rolls and Sweet Breakfast Treats

Is there anything better than walking into a kitchen that smells like cinnamon rolls?

Maybe eating one.

This collection has options for mornings when you want to make something special from scratch and mornings when a shortcut sounds much more appealing.

Homemade cinnamon rolls are perfect for a leisurely weekend or holiday breakfast, while canned biscuit cinnamon rolls and donuts give you that same fun breakfast feeling with much less work.

And then there’s monkey bread—because pulling warm, cinnamon-sugar pieces from a loaf and eating them with your fingers is practically a breakfast tradition of its own.

CINNAMON ROLLS & SWEET BREAKFAST TREATS

Breakfast Breads, Muffins and Scones

Not every breakfast has to involve eggs and bacon.

Sometimes a slice of homemade banana bread or cinnamon bread with a cup of coffee is plenty. Muffins and scones are also wonderful additions when you’re serving a larger breakfast or brunch.

Best of all, many breakfast breads and muffins can be made ahead of time. That makes them especially handy when you’re expecting company or putting together a holiday breakfast.

BREAKFAST BREADS, MUFFINS & SCONES

Hearty Breakfast Favorites

Now we’re getting into the stick-to-your-ribs breakfasts.

These are the recipes for mornings when a muffin and a cup of coffee simply aren’t going to cut it.

A breakfast fatty loaded with savory goodness makes an impressive centerpiece for a weekend breakfast or brunch, while crispy skillet potatoes belong beside just about anything involving eggs, bacon, or sausage.

And then there are pancakes.

Mom’s Pancakes and That Familiar Yellow Box

Pancakes will always remind me of my mother.

Mom made great pancakes, and I loved them. But they started with Bisquick.

That was simply how she cooked, and it became how I cooked, too. Even now, when I think, “I should make pancakes,” part of me immediately thinks, “I need to pick up some Bisquick.”

Learning to make pancakes completely from scratch has been one of those funny little full-circle kitchen experiences for me.

It turns out you really can teach an old Bisquick cook new tricks!

HEARTY BREAKFAST FAVORITES

Old-Fashioned Breakfast Comfort Foods

Some foods don't fit neatly into a breakfast-or-dessert box, and I'm perfectly happy about that.

Bread pudding and rice pudding are old-fashioned comfort foods that can work as a sweet breakfast, brunch addition, afternoon treat, or dessert.

Bread pudding is especially useful when you've got bread that needs to be used instead of wasted. And cinnamon roll bread pudding takes that same idea and turns it into something that feels right at home on a special breakfast or brunch table.

OLD-FASHIONED BREAKFAST FAVORITES

Breakfast for Supper

Around here, breakfast isn't limited to the morning hours.

Breakfast for supper is a big deal, especially on Sunday nights.

Sometimes we’ve already had a larger Sunday meal earlier in the day. By evening, everybody is tired and nobody particularly wants to start another big cooking project.

That's when breakfast sounds awfully good.

Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, skillet potatoes, biscuits, or a piece of breakfast casserole can make a perfectly good supper.

And really, you don't need to wait for a tired Sunday night. Sometimes you just feel like eating pancakes at six o'clock in the evening.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Try These for Breakfast-for-Supper

Some of my favorites from this collection include:

Add some fruit if you want something fresh on the plate and supper is done.

Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas

breakfast casserole

Breakfast is a lot more enjoyable when you don't have to do all of the work first thing in the morning.

That's one reason I love recipes that can be made—or at least partially prepared—ahead of time.

This is especially helpful for:

  • Holiday mornings
  • Overnight guests
  • Church mornings
  • Brunch gatherings
  • Feeding a crowd
  • Busy weekends
  • Stocking the freezer for one or two people

Depending on the individual recipe, some breakfast casseroles can be assembled ahead and refrigerated until you're ready to bake them.

Breads, muffins, scones, and other baked breakfast treats can often be prepared in advance as well.

And don't overlook the freezer. Individual portions can turn today's cooking into several easy breakfasts later.

Always check the individual recipe for specific storage, make-ahead, and freezing instructions.

Planning a Big Southern Breakfast

You don't need a table overflowing with a dozen dishes to serve a memorable breakfast.

I like the idea of choosing one hearty main dish, one bread or sweet treat, and perhaps something fresh.

Here are a few easy combinations.

Weekend Family Breakfast

Serve the Breakfast Fatty with Skillet Potatoes, eggs, and fresh fruit.

Breakfast for a Crowd

Choose one of the hearty Breakfast Casseroles and serve it with Blueberry Muffins or Cinnamon Rolls and fruit.

Easy Brunch

Breakfast Enchiladas pair beautifully with fruit and something sweet like Cinnamon Bread or muffins.

Cozy Fall Breakfast

Serve a Ham Breakfast Casserole or Skillet Potatoes with Pumpkin Scones and plenty of hot coffee.

Holiday Morning

A Breakfast Casserole paired with warm Cinnamon Rolls gives you both savory and sweet without requiring half a dozen different dishes.

Simple Pancake Breakfast

Sometimes you don't need anything more complicated than a stack of homemade Pancakes, bacon or sausage, butter, syrup, and a pot of coffee.

What Can I Make Ahead for Breakfast?

Breakfast casseroles are often one of the best choices for a make-ahead breakfast. Depending on the recipe, you may be able to assemble the casserole the night before and bake it the following morning.

Muffins, quick breads, cinnamon bread, and other baked goods can also be prepared ahead of time.

If you're planning for a holiday or overnight guests, getting even one or two dishes finished ahead of time can make the morning much easier.

Can You Freeze Breakfast Casserole?

Many breakfast casseroles freeze beautifully, either whole or in individual portions.

Freezing individual servings is especially handy if you live alone or have a smaller household. Instead of eating the same casserole every morning for a week, package the leftovers separately and enjoy them over time.

Check the individual recipe for the best freezing and reheating method.

What Goes With a Breakfast Casserole?

For a simple breakfast, you might not need anything at all. A hearty casserole can contain meat, eggs, cheese, potatoes, or bread all in one dish.

For brunch or a larger gathering, add something fresh and something sweet.

Fruit, muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, banana bread, or cinnamon bread are all easy choices.

Coffee is highly recommended!

What Are the Best Breakfast Foods for a Crowd?

Breakfast casseroles are particularly useful because you can bake several servings at once instead of cooking individual plates.

Breakfast breads and baked goods are also easy to set out and let people serve themselves.

Try casseroles, cinnamon rolls, monkey bread, muffins, scones, breakfast enchiladas, banana bread, or a combination of savory and sweet dishes.

What's a Good Breakfast for One Person?

Don't assume you have to settle for cereal just because you're cooking for yourself.

Freeze individual portions of breakfast casserole, muffins, banana bread, or other freezer-friendly breakfast foods. You can pull out exactly what you need and save the rest for another day.

Pancakes and skillet potatoes can also be made in smaller batches when you want something fresh.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with cereal or a Pop-Tart now and then, either. I've certainly eaten my share!

Can You Really Eat Breakfast for Supper?

Absolutely.

Around here, breakfast for supper doesn't require an explanation.

Eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, skillet potatoes, breakfast casseroles, and breakfast breads taste every bit as good in the evening as they do at eight o'clock in the morning.

Sometimes they taste even better.

More Southern Comfort Food

If you love a hearty Southern breakfast, stick around!

Here at Backyard Texas Grill, you'll find plenty of old-fashioned Southern comfort food, Texas-style favorites, cast iron recipes, homemade breads, side dishes, desserts, and recipes made for gathering people around the table.

Whether you're cooking for a crowd, feeding your family, taking a meal to someone else, or simply cooking something good for yourself, there's always room for one more chair at the table.

About the Cook

Janice Thompson is a Texas author, baker, blogger, and home cook with a love for Southern comfort food and recipes that bring people together.

She grew up in a home where weekday breakfasts might mean cereal or Pop-Tarts while weekends brought something a little more special. Her mother's pancakes started with Bisquick, and Janice still has a soft spot for a good kitchen shortcut—even as she continues teaching herself to make old favorites completely from scratch.

These days she cooks for family and friends, shares food with others in her community, and often cooks for one. She's learned that a big casserole can feed a crowd today or become individually portioned freezer meals for tomorrow.

And as any good Texas cook knows, breakfast is perfectly acceptable at suppertime, too.

Thanks for Stopping By!

If you make any of these delicious breakfast recipes, please leave a comment or review. And before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

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