Here’s Why You Should Be Eating Whole Eggs

Charlotte GraingerUpdated: Jul. 13, 2022

Trying to be ultra health-conscious? This one may surprise you: Check out the serious benefits of whole eggs!

Photo: Shutterstock / Tatiana_Didenko

You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, but can you make one without the yolk? The short answer is yes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should leave the yolk out of your favorite egg recipes. Egg white omelets are an extremely popular option for health-conscious people who believe that the yolk is ‘fatty’ or otherwise bad for you. But what if that’s nothing more than fake news? A new study suggests it could be.

The benefits of whole eggs are abundant and could help your body boost its muscle-building capacity. At least, that’s what the results of a new study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seem to suggest.

Whole eggs vs. egg whites

The experiment found that opting for whole eggs after intense exercise helped to build more muscle than just plain egg whites. That’s one more great reason to follow the egg-on-top-of-everything food trend (as if you needed one).

“We saw that the ingestion of whole eggs immediately after resistance exercise resulted in greater muscle-protein synthesis than the ingestion of egg whites,” said Nicholas Burd, a University of Illinois professor of kinesiology and community health who led the research. “There’s a lot of stress on protein nutrition in modern society, and research is showing that we need more protein in the diet than we once thought to maintain health.” (Check out these protein-packed salads.)

Whole-egg benefits

The reason for the benefits of whole eggs is pretty simple: There’s a treasure chest of vitamins, minerals, protein and fat inside the yolk that all work together to help build muscle and provide other health benefits. Since the same combination of nutrients isn’t found in the egg white, if you only eat that part of the egg, you could be missing out on major health benefits.

“As world population grows,” explained Burd, “we need cost-effective and sustainable strategies for improving the use of protein in the diet. This work is showing that consuming egg protein in its natural matrix has a much greater benefit than getting isolated protein from the same source.”

So, the next time you fancy a post-workout, high-protein snack, you know what to do. Go ahead and make a delicious omelet using every single part of the egg. Not only will it taste fantastic, but your body will thank you later.

Need more ways to get more eggs in your life?

25 Ways to Eat Eggs All Day

1 / 100

Brunch Pizza

Brunch PizzaWhenever I entertain guests, this zippy pizza is a definite crowd-pleaser. It also makes a great late-night snack for any time of the year! —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

Don't miss out on our easiest egg recipes.

Scotch Eggs Exps Ft21 11840 F 0225 1 2

Scotch EggsA crispy coating made with cornflakes and pork sausage dresses up this Scotch egg recipe. They're fabulous hot out of the oven. Or enjoy them cold for a snack. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas

Twisted Eggs Benedict Salad Exps Thfm17 198099 C09 21 4b 1

Twisted Eggs Benedict SaladSalad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

This is the easiest, no-fail way to tell if your eggs are fresh.

Chorizo And Eggs Ranchero Exps Csf16 190974 06b 01 6b 3

Chorizo and Eggs RancheroFor a festive Mexican breakfast, we do chorizo and huevos rancheros. Add refried beans and cheddar, and serve everything in bowls made of tortillas. —Paul Williams, Fort Mohave, Arizona

Exps172319 Thca153054b02 24 5b 1

Favorite Loaded Breakfast PotatoesMy four young children are experts at eating with their hands. This breakfast potato recipe (or "brunchskins") with veggies makes an easy finger food that they love. —Mindy Campbell, Rapid City, Michigan

Poached Egg Buddha Bowls Exps Sdfm18 199436 D10 05 4b 1

Poached Egg Buddha BowlsI love cooking for my husband and this is the first dish of the year that we enjoy out in our back yard. I often include fresh peas and cherry tomatoes, halved. —Amy McDonough, Carlton, Oregon

Exps195001 Sd163615d04 05 10b Basedon 1

Pressure-Cooker Eggs in PurgatoryTomatoes and red pepper flakes add spicy zing to these saucy eggs. Serve them with toasted bread or sauteed polenta rounds for an unforgettable morning meal. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Egg Topped Avocado Toasts Exps Sdam18 193200 B12 01 7b 6

Egg-Topped Avocado ToastWe always have avocados on hand, so it's easy to make this quick breakfast toast for my husband and me. It's really tasty! —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

Denver Omelet Salad Exps Tham18 205824 D11 07 14b 5

Denver Omelet SaladI love this recipe. It may not be your typical breakfast, but it has all the right elements. Plus, it’s easy, healthy and fast. Just turn your favorite omelet ingredients into a morning salad! —Pauline Custer, Duluth, Minnesota

Breakfast Tacos

Breakfast TacosThis is a really simple, tasty breakfast. It has been a mainstay for our mornings together as a family. —Jo Ferguson, Arnold, Missouri

Meat And Potato Quiche Exps Bfbz19 5963 B01 16 7b 9

Meat-and-Potato QuicheThis hearty dish is welcome anytime, of course, but our family especially enjoys it at breakfast! It just seems to get the day off to an extra good start. —Esther Beachy, Hutchinson, Kansas

Sausage Breakfast Burritos Exps Sddj19 1760 C07 20 1b 13

Sausage Breakfast BurritosBreakfast routine in a rut? Shake things up with these speedy, savory wraps. —Brenda Spann, Granger, Indiana

Exps47709 Bb143289c07 22 4b 3

Mascarpone-Mushroom Frittata StackWhen I bring this delicious egg dish to the table, I always get oohs and aahs! It looks impressive but is quite easy to prepare.—Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

Creamy Pesto 'n Bacon Eggs Benedict

Creamy Pesto 'n Bacon Eggs BenedictOne of my favorite brunch dishes is eggs Benedict. While I adore the traditional version, I also have fun using other flavors. This is my Italian take using a semi-homemade creamy pesto sauce.—Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Hash Brown Nests With Portobellos And Eggs Exps Sdam18 136182 C11 30 2b 11

Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and EggsHash browns make a fabulous crust for these individual egg quiches. They look fancy yet they're easy to make. They've been a hit at holiday brunches and other special occasions.—Kate Meyer, Brentwood, Tennessee

Basil Vegetable Strata

Basil Vegetable StrataI've been cooking this strata for years, and my family just can't get enough! Fresh basil gives the healthy brunch dish an added flavor boost. —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin.

Exps168192 Sd143206b04 03 2b 2

Stir-Fry Rice BowlMy meatless version of Korean bibimbap is tasty, pretty and easy to tweak for different spice levels. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

Eggs & Chorizo Wraps

Eggs & Chorizo WrapsMy husband grew up in Southern California and loves chorizo. We use the spicy sausage in these chorizo and egg wraps that our children call Daddy's Eggs.—April Nissen, Yankton, South Dakota

Veggie Nicoise Salad Exps Lsbz18 133577 C01 19 5b 18

Veggie Nicoise SaladMore and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish—and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois

Curried Egg Salad Exps Sdam17 245 B12 08 2b 1

Curried Egg SaladA curry kick gives this egg salad big appeal. We love it when the weather gets warm. —Joyce McDowell, West Union, Ohio

Cheddar Veggie Appetizer Torte Exps Mtcbbz17 38102 B02 23 4b 3

Cheddar-Veggie Appetizer TorteA line forms quickly behind this quichelike torte at family gatherings. The wedges are easy to eat as finger food, and it's delicious hot or cold. — Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Sausage & Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole

Sausage & Crescent Roll Breakfast CasseroleI made this tasty sausage and crescent roll breakfast casserole for a baby shower. It saved the day: Preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas

Exps66589 Bb143289b07 22 8b 1

Corn Cakes with Poached EggsThese easy corn cakes are super tender thanks to the creamed corn in the batter. Top them with poached eggs and fresh salsa, and you get one of my favorite breakfasts. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia

Croque Madame

Croque-MadameMy son and I love having a croque-madame (a fried egg atop our grilled ham and cheese) for lunch. If eggs aren't your favorite, you can make the sandwich without it (which makes it a croque-monsieur). —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada

Exps134843 Bb143289b07 22 5b 15

Beefy Huevos RancherosThis quick, easy and oh-so-tasty recipe works for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is delightful served with fruit or salad and some flour tortillas. Guests can top the dish however they'd like. —Sandra Leonard, Peculiar, Missouri

Mini Ham Quiches

Mini Ham QuichesThese quiches are delightful for brunch when you don’t want to fuss. Replace the ham with bacon, sausage, chicken or shrimp, or use chopped onion, red pepper or zucchini instead of olives. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon

Veggie Packed Strata Exps Bmz17 18173 D09 30 2b 1

Veggie-Packed StrataThis is a wonderful, colorful casserole that everyone enjoys. I'm sure you'll be hooked on it after one bite, too. —Jennifer Unsell, Vance, Alabama

Buffet Scrambled Eggs Exps Tham19 19523 B11 13 6b 2

Buffet Scrambled EggsThese are my favorite scrambled eggs. The white sauce, flavored with chicken bouillon, keeps the eggs creamy and moist. It's a tasty twist on a morning mainstay.

Potato Sausage Frittata Exps Sdjj19 33942 C02 08 2b 11

Potato Sausage FrittataWith sausage, bacon, eggs and potatoes, this frittata is one hearty meal! Although I double the recipe for my large family, we never have any leftovers. As good as this dish is, you can experiment to customize it for your family. Try using ham, bell peppers, chorizo—the sky’s the limit! —Patricia Lee, Eatonton, Georgia

Smoked Salmon Egg Salad Exps Bfcbbz19 39099 E01 11 1b 2

Smoked Salmon Egg SaladServed on croissants, these grown-up sandwiches offer a great way to use leftover Easter eggs. Salmon adds smoky flavor. —Cathy Tang, Redmond, Washington

Pot Roast Hash

Pot Roast HashI love to cook a Sunday-style pot roast on a weeknight. Make it into pot roast hash for any day of the week. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York

Pickled Eggs With Beets Exps Dai19 43846 B02 13 1b 11

Pickled Eggs with BeetsEver since I can remember, my mother served this pickled egg recipe at Easter. It was a tradition that my family expected. I made them for my granddaughter the last time she visited and they were all gone before she left. —Mary Banker, Fort Worth, Texas

Sheepherder's Breakfast

Sheepherder's BreakfastMy sister-in-law always made this delicious breakfast dish when we were camping and had to come up with good, easy breakfast ideas. Served with toast, juice and milk or coffee, it's a sure hit with the breakfast crowd! One-dish casseroles like this were a big help while I was raising my nine children. Now I've passed this recipe on to them. —Pauletta Bushnell, Albany, Oregon

Baked Cheddar Eggs Potatoes Exps Cwfm19 134913 C10 12 5b 6

Baked Cheddar Eggs & PotatoesI love making breakfast recipes with eggs for dinner, especially this combo with potatoes and cheese that's started in a skillet on the stovetop and then popped into the oven to bake. —Nadine Merheb, Tucson, Arizona

Bacon Quiche Tarts

Bacon Quiche TartsFlavored with vegetables, cheese and bacon, these memorable morsels are bound to be winners at any brunch. The tarts are impressive but also quite easy to make. For garnish, sprinkle on some chopped green onion. —Kendra Schertz, Nappanee, Indiana

Mini Ham N Cheese Frittatas Exps Ghbz18 36224 B08 15 2b 3

Mini Ham 'n' Cheese FrittatasI found this recipe a few years ago and made a few changes. I'm diabetic, and this fits into my low-carb and low-fat diet. Every time I serve a brunch, the frittatas are the first to disappear, and nobody knows they are low in fat! —Susan Watt, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Best Deviled Eggs Exps Hohbz23 2043 P3 Md 06 28 6b

Best Deviled EggsHerbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab.—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia

Potato Omelet Exps Sdam19 8973 E12 11 1b 8

Potato OmeletEven folks who don't care for eggs will enjoy this dish. The comforting tastes of potatoes, onions and garlic come through. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Three Cheese Quiche Exps Thd18 49648 B07 31 9b 4

Three-Cheese QuicheTry eggs and cheese at their best. Guests often comment on how tall, light and fluffy this crustless entree is. You'll love it! —Judy Reagan, Hannibal, Missouri

Make-Ahead Eggs Benedict Toast Cups

Make-Ahead Eggs Benedict Toast CupsWhen I was growing up, we had a family tradition of having eggs Benedict with champagne and orange juice for our Christmas breakfast. But now that I’m cooking, a fussy breakfast isn’t my style. I wanted to come up with a dish I could make ahead that would mimic the flavors of traditional eggs Benedict and would also freeze well. Friends, all I can say is this one fits the bill! —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia

Ham Collards Quiche Exps Bmz19 176302 B11 29 9b 22

Ham & Collards QuicheI love quiche and wanted to make something that incorporates my southern roots. With eggs, cheese, ham and nutritious collard greens in a flaky crust, it’s a complete meal. —Billie Williams-Henderson, Bowie, Maryland

Dilled Salmon Omelets with Creme Fraiche

Dilled Salmon Omelets with Creme FraicheThis is one of our biggest hits on our inn's menu. It has so much flavor with the dill and rich salmon that it will impress everyone at how fancy it is.—Susan Goodman, Wilmington, Vermont

Easy Chiles Rellenos Casserole

Easy Chiles Rellenos CasseroleI love green chiles and cook with them often when I entertain. This easy version of the classic Mexican dish gives you a big pepper taste in every meaty bite. —Nadine Estes, Alto, New Mexico

Farmers Breakfast

Farmers BreakfastStart off your day on a hearty note! This one-dish wonder will easily keep your family satisfied until lunch. —Jeannette Westphal, Gettysburg, South Dakota

Festive Scrambled Eggs Exps Bmz19 14147 C11 30 3b 10

Festive Scrambled EggsEvery bit as quick as scrambled eggs are meant to be, this hearty dish— with red pimientos and green parsley or chives— is nice for hectic Christmas mornings. Jazz up your scrambled eggs with lemon zest and nutmeg.

Roasted Garlic Deviled Eggs Exps Cplbz19 192481 E11 01 6b 13

Roasted Garlic Deviled EggsI love incorporating new flavors into old classics, and these garlic deviled eggs were a big hit! The garlic can be roasted and the eggs can be hard-boiled up to three days in advance. The egg yolk filling can be made the night before. —Ellen Weaver, Denver, Colorado

Coastal Carolina Muffin Tin Frittatas Exps Qebz21 234104 B01 27 1b 4

Coastal Carolina Muffin-Tin FrittatasIncorporating the flavors of a low country South Carolina crab boil, these tasty frittatas are easy to make and fun to eat. If you have leftover cooked potatoes (roasted or boiled), try dicing them and substituting them for the refrigerated shredded potatoes in this recipe. —Shannon Kohn, Summerville, South Carolina

Avocado Egg Salad Toast Exps Tohas23 211990 P2 Md 03 08 2b

Avocado Egg Salad ToastI had a surplus of avocados after purchasing too many for an event. A few days later, I was making egg salad sandwiches for lunch and had the fantastic idea to use avocado to bind it together instead of traditional mayo. Not only was this version unbelievably delicious but the healthy fats in the avocado make this a much better option than the traditional mayo-laden version. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

Exps18020 Lr153742d09 10 3b Basedon 2

Pressure-Cooker Light Deviled EggsOur updated version of a classic appetizer uses only half the egg yolks of traditional deviled eggs and calls for soft bread crumbs to help firm up the filling. Light ingredients lower the fat grams even more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Mediterranean Broccoli & Cheese Omelet

Mediterranean Broccoli & Cheese OmeletMy Italian mother-in-law taught me to make this omelet years ago—she would make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner and eat it on Italian bread. This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover broccoli. —Mary Licata, Pembroke Pines, Florida

Fiesta Egg & Potato Boats

Fiesta Egg & Potato BoatsOn a whim, I stuffed eggs into potato shells as a way to use up leftover baked potatoes. It’s the brunch dish people ask for the most. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Mexican Sausage & Cornbread Strata

Mexican Sausage & Cornbread StrataThe beauty of my Mexican strata is that you can change it depending on the veggies you have on hand. I make mine most often with corn and pico de gallo. —Lisa Huff, Wilton, Connecticut

Exps39446 Sd153319c10 09 4b 10

Sausage and Egg PizzaI love breakfast pizza, but not all the fat and calories that go along with it. My lighter version gives you a big energy boost whether you eat it at brunch, dinner or somewhere in between. —Vicki Meyers, Castalia, Ohio

Exps87213 Hck163687c07 17 5b 1

Poached Eggs with Tarragon AsparagusI adapted this recipe from a dish I had in Napa Valley. I decided to add toasted bread crumbs as a garnish. The result was a breakfast option that everyone loves. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Zippy Egg Salad Exps Sdam18 11971 D12 07 1b 13

Classic Egg SaladEgg salad is a refreshing, tasty change from lunchmeat or peanut butter sandwiches. The touch of mustard and lemon juice gives it extra zip. —Annemarie Pietila, Farmington Hills, Michigan

Poached Eggs & Polenta

Photo: Taste of Home

Poached Eggs & PolentaWe have a bed and breakfast in Gettysburg where I serve creative dishes like these poached eggs with polenta, our twist on eggs Benedict.—Paulette Lee, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Exps133930 Th163620c11 11 2b Ap 5

Cobb Salad SubWhen we need a quick meal to share, we turn Cobb salad into a sandwich masterpiece. Sometimes I substitute tortillas for the bread and make wraps instead. —Kimberly Grusendorf, Medina, Ohio

Exps164940 Bb143289c07 15 3b 1

Eggs Benedict Bake with Bearnaise SauceI've made this recipe for my family every Christmas morning for 10 years—it's a food tradition that we look forward to every year. Part of what makes this dish special is the croissants that make the egg bake extra light and fluffy. —Susan Triplett, Citrus Heights, California

Rainbow Quiche Exps Hca18 46375 B04 26 2b 4

Rainbow QuicheWith plenty of veggies and a creamy egg-cheese filling, this tasty quiche gets rave reviews every time I make it! —Lilith Fury, Adena, Ohio

Bacon 'n' Egg Sandwiches

Bacon 'n' Egg SandwichesI came across this unique grilled combo when I was digging in my mom's recipe box. The crisp bacon, hard-boiled eggs and crunchy green onions make these cozy sandwiches look impressive when company drops by for lunch. Best of all, they're a snap to assemble. —Ann Fuemmeler, Glasgow, Missouri

Cheesy Egg Puffs

Cheesy Egg PuffsMy father loves to entertain, and these buttery egg delights are one of his favorite items to serve at brunch. The leftovers are perfect to reheat in the microwave on busy mornings, so Dad always stashes a few aside for me to take home once the party is over. —Amy Soto, Winfield, Kansas

Sausage & Mushroom Pizza Frittata

Sausage & Mushroom Pizza FrittataI love this frittata because the combination of fresh flavors makes it special. It's the perfect sunny South Florida breakfast.—Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida

Scrambled Egg Bread

Scrambled Egg BreadWe always eat ham, eggs and bread on camping trips, and we often have extras. Combine them and you’ve got scrambled egg bread. We first made this on a visit to Mount Shasta. —Shirley Mondeau, Rohnert Park, California

Exps182650 Sd163614d12 01 7b 9

Bacon, Egg & Avocado SandwichesMy husband wanted bacon and eggs; I wanted a BLT. We settled our standoff with an irresistible sandwich we've had many times since. —Patti Darwin, Lubbock, Texas

Exps191271 Th163620c11 18 5b 5

ShakshukaShakshuka is a dish of poached eggs with tomatoes, onion and cumin. I learned about it while traveling, and it's been my favorite way to eat eggs since. —Ezra Weeks, Calgary, Alberta

Exps34243 Cw163681b12 09 10b 4

Swiss Cobb SaladTopped with ham, roast beef, bacon and other fixings, this hearty salad has an excellent blend of flavors. A from-scratch vinaigrette adds the refreshing final touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs

Buffalo Chicken Deviled EggsMy daughter Sara loves spicy Buffalo chicken and deviled eggs, so I combined the two. Make and chill a day ahead so the flavors mingle. —Robin Spires, Tampa, Florida

Exps48200 Cw163683d03 30 5b 2

Summer CarbonaraBasil and bacon make best summer buds in this smoky-sweet pasta. I pair it with a simple spring mix salad with balsamic dressing and a glass of good Chardonnay or cold iced tea. —Cathy Dudderar, Lexington, Kentucky

Exps79855 Sd153320b12 04 7b 9

Cheese and Fresh Herb QuicheWith herbs from the garden to use, I created a quiche with basil, parsley and dill along with feta, Swiss, Gruyere and mozzarella. Goat cheese is also yummy. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

Brunch Burritos

Brunch BurritosI like to use a second slow cooker to keep the tortillas warm and pliable when I serve these hearty burritos. Just place a clean wet cloth in the bottom, then cover it with foil and add your tortillas.—Beth Osburn, Levelland, Texas

Twisted Eggs Benedict Salad Exps Thfm17 198099 C09 21 4b 1

Twisted Eggs Benedict SaladSalad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Italian Apricot-Pancetta Strata

Italian Apricot-Pancetta StrataFor me, the combination of sweet and savory along with easy preparation make this Italian-inspired strata a winning dish for home cooks everywhere! It can be served for breakfast, brunch, or as a late afternoon meal.—Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

Exps167534 Bb143289c07 22 2b 2

Ham & Egg WrapsThis is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook.—Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts

Southwest Hash With Adobo Lime Crema Exps175008 Sd143204c12 03 3bc Rms 1

Southwest Hash with Adobo-Lime CremaAdobo sauce adds so much extra flavor that you won't even miss the smaller amounts of butter and egg yolks in this smoky hash. Here's a tip: Add a splash of white vinegar to the poaching water right before you drop in the eggs. It helps keep them from separating as they cook. —Brooke Keller, Lexington, Kentucky

Exps66693 Th153341b11 20 4b 5

Mushroom & Smoked Salmon TartsThis recipe came from a "what's in the fridge?" moment, and it's so good. It makes two tarts for brunch or appetizers. —Jacquelyn Benson, South Berwick, Maine

Turkey Stuffing Eggs Benedict Exps171477 Th132104c06 20 4bc Rms 2

Turkey & Stuffing Eggs BenedictThis is a fun way to enjoy holiday leftovers as if presenting them for the first time. Serve for brunch, with champagne and cranberry juice. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

Crepe Quiche Cups

Eggland's Best®

Crepe Quiche CupsWhen it comes to trying new recipes, I'm always up for the challenge, and crepe cups have turned out to be one of my favorite things to serve while entertaining. They're a nice change for breakfast on those holiday mornings when family is gathered around. —Sheryl Riley, Unionville, Missouri

Exps99908 Bb15369807 01 5b 4

Chiles Rellenos SouffleAfter we spent the night at our friends’ house in Arizona, we awoke to the tantalizing aroma of an egg souffle. It brings back wonderful memories. —Pat Coyne, Las Vegas, Nevada

Denver Scramble Tostada

Denver Scramble TostadaMy tostadas feature the ingredients of a classic Denver omelet: ham, cheddar and green pepper. I also make a zesty Mexican version with chorizo and pepper jack and a Reuben with corned beef and Swiss. —Joi Sinclair, Atchison, Kansas

Southwestern Hash with Eggs

Southwestern Hash with EggsBefore I retired, this all-in-one skillet dish was constantly requested at office brunches. I'd leave out the eggs, double or triple the recipe and wrap servings of the zippy pork mixture in warm corn tortillas. —Barbara Beasley, Beaumont, Texas

Sausage Egg Subs

Sausage Egg SubsSpicy chunks of sausage give winning flavor to this scrambled egg mixture. Served in a bun, it's a satisfying all-in-one sandwich for breakfast or lunch. —Dee Pasternak, Bristol, Indiana

Green Chile Quiche Squares

Green Chile Quiche SquaresChiles add spark to this cheesy quiche. You can vary the flavor based on the kind of croutons you buy. I like to serve fresh fruit on the side. —Connie Willson, Huntington Beach, California

Fiesta Scrambled Eggs Exps Ghbz18 24727 E08 09 8b 5

Fiesta Scrambled EggsI love to fix this spicy scrambled egg dish for friends and family. It’s almost a meal in itself, but I serve it with muffins or biscuits, fresh fruit juice and coffee. —Kay Kropff, Canyon, Texas

Sunny Side Up Pizza

Sunny-Side-Up PizzaPreparing this recipe is the best way I know to make sure my family takes time for breakfast. I just call out "pizza's ready!" and amazingly everyone comes to the table. —Rose Koren, Brookfield, Illinois

Portobello Mushrooms Florentine Exps Sddj17 47568 16 C08 04 2b 17

Portobello Mushrooms FlorentineA fun and surprisingly hearty breakfast dish packed with flavor and richness. —Sara Morris, Laguna Beach, California

Breakfast Bread Bowls Exps168682 Sd142780c08 30 1bc Rms 1

Breakfast Bread BowlsThe best part about these creative and convenient bread bowls is that you can fill them with whatever you want. This is one of our favorite breakfasts. —Patrick Lavin, Jr., Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

Southwest Hash With Adobo Lime Crema Exps175008 Sd143204c12 03 3bc Rms 1

Southwest Hash with Adobo-Lime CremaAdobo sauce adds so much extra flavor that you won't even miss the smaller amounts of butter and egg yolks in this smoky hash. Here's a tip: Add a splash of white vinegar to the poaching water right before you drop in the eggs. It helps keep them from separating as they cook. —Brooke Keller, Lexington, Kentucky

Asparagus Bacon Shallot Tart Exps Tham17 199874 C11 09 1b 3

Asparagus, Bacon & Shallot TartMy tart is adapted from my mom's quiche recipe. She lives thousands of miles away from me in the U.K., so whenever I make it, happy memories of home come flooding back. —Paula Nolan, Granite Bay, California

Reuben And Rye Strata Exps Sdon18 220100 E06 14 11b 3

Reuben and Rye StrataThis make-ahead dish is so easy to prepare. It's wonderful for brunch, lunch or supper, or as a potluck meal. If you prefer it, substitute turkey pastrami for the corned beef. —Mary Louise Lever, Rome, Georgia

Blt Egg Bake Exps Mrmz16 14578 B09 09 1b 14

BLT Egg BakeBLTs are a favorite at my house, so I created this recipe to combine those flavors into a warm, cozy casserole. It was such a hit, I served it to my church ladies group at a brunch I hosted. —Priscilla Detrick, Catoosa, Oklahoma

Breakfast Quiche Exps Thfm17 10228 D09 20 6b 1

Breakfast QuicheI enjoy preparing hearty country breakfasts for the guests at my bed-and-breakfast. This fluffy breakfast quiche recipe with lots of cheese and bacon is a most satisfying entree.

Ham 'n' Cheese Omelet Roll

Ham 'n' Cheese Omelet RollThis brunch dish has easy ingredients and an impressive look all rolled into one! I love hosting brunch, and this special omelet roll is one of my very favorite items to prepare and share. A platter of these pretty swirled slices disappears fast. —Nancy Daugherty, Portland, Ohio

Exps10304 5ing133188a04 19 6b Web 1

Picante Omelet PieThis zippy egg bake is a favorite of one of my daughters. She comes for brunch every week before church, so I serve it often.—Phyllis Carlson, Gardner, Kansas

Egg Biscuit Bake

Egg Biscuit BakeThis all-in-one brunch bake is a variation of a simple cheesy egg dish my mother used to make. It's become our favorite comfort food. —Alice Le Duc, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Bacon Breakfast Pizza

Bacon Breakfast PizzaI used to make this bacon breakfast pizza for my morning drivers when I worked at a delivery place. And they just loved it. Breakfast pizza is a quick and easy eye-opener that appeals to all ages. —Cathy Shortall, Easton, Maryland

Originally Published: February 09, 2018

Charlotte Grainger

Charlotte Grainger is a creative feature writer, with a flair for food, health and lifestyle pieces. Her work has been seen in a number of national publications including Beyond Words Magazine, Reader's Digest and Psychologies. When she’s not typing away, you can find her trying out new recipes or binging Netflix shows— sometimes simultaneously.