Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole: Holiday Brunch Recipes

Introduction

When you want to delight your guests with minimal morning stress, nothing beats the charm of an Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole. Flaky croissants soak up a rich, savory custard, developing deep flavor and irresistible texture as it bakes to golden perfection. This crowd-pleasing dish is tailor-made for holiday brunches, offering a luxe upgrade to traditional breakfast casseroles—without the worry of early-morning prep.

Why Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole is a Holiday Brunch Hit

The magic of this casserole lies in both its flavors and its convenience: buttery croissants, creamy eggs, sharp cheese, and your choice of breakfast meats or veggies meld together overnight, resulting in deep flavor and a hands-off brunch centerpiece. It’s fancy enough for special occasions but easy enough for any gathering, making it a true crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Building Layers of Flavor

Start with day-old (or slightly toasted) croissants, which soak up the egg mixture beautifully without getting soggy. Pair them with savory sausage and melty cheese, or add spinach and roasted peppers for a vegetarian twist. By prepping the night before, you allow all the flavors to mingle, guaranteeing a rich, satisfying bite in every forkful.

Tips for Perfect Overnight Assembly

Tear croissants into big chunks so the tops get crisp and golden. Whisk eggs with cream and milk for a custardy texture, and season generously with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Layer meat or veggies, cheese, then croissants in your casserole dish. Pour the egg mixture evenly, pressing croissants down to absorb, and refrigerate overnight. This rest time is key for both flavor and texture.

The Morning Bake: Effortless and Impressive

On brunch day, simply take the casserole out of the fridge as you preheat the oven. Bake uncovered until puffed and golden with melted cheese bubbling on top. The result? A beautiful, satisfying brunch bake that feeds a hungry crowd with stunning simplicity.

Holiday Brunch Serving Suggestions

Serve your croissant breakfast casserole with a fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon, or a sparkling mimosa. Garnish with chives, Italian parsley, or a touch of grated parmesan for a festive finish. It’s an ideal make-ahead star for Christmas morning, Mother’s Day, or a lazy Sunday with friends.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 8 to 10 hearty servings. Each portion (with sausage and cheese) provides about 340–420 calories, 18g protein, 25g fat, and 18g carbs. Using lean protein or extra veggies can lighten it up as desired.

Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole (Recap)

This overnight casserole delivers a rich, comforting, and elegant brunch option that saves you time and stress—so you can relax and enjoy holiday mornings with your loved ones.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a categorized shopping list that sorts every ingredient by store section—perfect for streamlining your holiday meal planning and shopping.

Instructions

1. Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking up into crumbles; drain any excess fat. For a vegetarian version, sauté veggies with olive oil and season to taste.
2. Slice croissants in half (or tear into large chunks) and place half in a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
3. Top with cooked sausage (or veggie mixture) and half the cheese. Layer remaining croissants on top, followed by the rest of the cheese.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Pour evenly over the croissants and gently press them down to absorb the custard.
5. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours) to let flavors meld and the bread fully absorb the custard.
6. In the morning, heat oven to 350°F. Uncover the casserole and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until puffed, set in the center, and golden brown on top.
7. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley, and enjoy warm.

Weekly Meal Planning

This casserole is a meal planner’s dream for busy holiday weeks or brunch-heavy weekends. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan for hands-off mornings and organized grocery runs.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient needs across multiple recipes
– Auto-generates shopping lists sorted by store aisle for easy shopping
– Avoids duplicate purchases and missed items
– Streamlines weekly meal prep—especially helpful for hosting or big family gatherings

Pro tip: When planning brunch spreads, organize your recipes together to see which ingredients overlap, reducing costs and minimizing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: Overnight (at least 4 hours)
Bake Time: 45–55 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour (plus overnight chilling)