What could possibly beat the feeling of waking up to a home-cooked breakfast casserole? (Especially if it’s one of our top recipes.) Whenever I think of this cozy meal, I remember the morning when Grandma Doster—with worn-out rags serving as oven mitts—would bring out a cheesy, sausage-laden casserole for me and my brother to dig into. Inevitably two (or three) slices would make their way into my mouth. Though, I’d never knock Grandma—her extra cheesy breakfast pizza casserole wasn’t the best thing for my waistline.
Now that I’m cooking for myself, I ask: Is it possible to turn all of Grandma’s cozy goodness into a healthy dish?
Believe me, friends, it is.
It was love at first bite when I tried this sausage-vegetable egg bake submitted by home cook Cathy Banks from Encinitas, California. Seriously, it was like a light was shining down from heaven when my fork met this better-for-you breakfast dish. The recipe is made healthy by utilizing a few healthy ingredients.
Instead of classic pork sausage, Banks calls for lean turkey sausage. (I love the Jennie-O brand!) The recipe also calls for part-skim mozzarella. Now, you might call me a fool, but I don’t think there’s much of a difference in flavor between full-fat and low-fat cheese—especially when it’s baked and served in a dish like this. Last, the breakfast casserole is loaded with all the fresh veg that I adore. Bring on the mushrooms and chard, please! Best part? A single serving of Cathy’s casserole is about 250 calories. Even Grandma would approve of that.
Looking for more healthy casseroles? Check out these healthy recipes sent to us from readers around the country. Each clocks in at just under 300 calories per serving.
Start-Right Strata
I substituted reduced-fat ingredients and reworked this recipe to fit my diet…and my tastes! Served with melon or grapes on the side, it’s ideal for overnight guests. —Cecile Brown, Chillicothe, Texas
Breakfast Casserole
This hearty cheese and sausage casserole is perfect for a yummy breakfast or bunch. Since it’s prepared ahead, it’s convenient for serving on special occasions when you’re hosting overnight guests. —Mary Stoddard, Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Ham ‘n’ Cheese Squares
So easy to prepare, this appetizing egg dish is loaded with ham, Swiss cheese and caraway flavor. It cuts nicely into squares, making it an ideal addition to a brunch buffet. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona
Meatless Breakfast Casseroles
Potato Egg Bake
No one will ever guess that this nutritious, mouth-watering breakfast bake is lighter at all! Potatoes give it a hearty base, cheese and veggies pile on color and wonderful flavor. —Rena Charboneau, Gansevoort, New York
Meatless Sausage Egg Bake
Crumbled vegetarian patties make the potato casserole a hearty option that doesn’t pack on the pounds. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
French Toast Casseroles
French Toast Casserole
Cinnamon and sugar top this fuss-free fare that tastes like French toast. “Since you assemble it the previous night, you save time in the morning. —Sharyn Adams, Crawfordsville, Indiana
Mixed Berry French Toast Bake
I love this recipe! Perfect for fuss-free holiday breakfasts or company, it’s scrumptious and so easy to put together the night before. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine
If you’re looking for more breakfast foods, these easy breakfast ideas are perfect for every morning. Also, check out our favorite make-ahead breakfast casserole recipes to make your mornings easier.
Try more breakfasts under 300 calories per serving.
Sausage Tortilla Breakfast BakeThis casserole is perfect for a special brunch. It combines the spices of the Southwest with the comfort of a hearty breakfast. You can spice it up by adding cayenne and hot peppers, or mellow it by replacing the tomatoes and green chiles with mild salsa. It’s versatile and easy—no wonder it’s a longtime family favorite. —Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona
Sausage Pancake MuffinsMy kids love sausage and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I purchased the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs in a blanket is a great alternative that's much more cost effective. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
Hash Brown Pancakes with Smoked Salmon & Dill CreamOn weekends when I was growing up, pancakees, salmon and bagels were our brunch staples. Now, I combine the concepts and use whipped cream instead of cream cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Slow-Cooked Breakfast Apple CobblerThis is a fabulous recipe to serve on Christmas or any other cold morning. The apples can be peeled if preferred. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Cinnamon Blueberry French ToastI like to prep this in the evening, let it chill, then turn on the slow cooker. When we wake up in the morning. it’s done. It's low on effort and high on taste. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Almond-Chai GranolaWhether you snack on it by the handful or eat it with milk or yogurt, you’ll be happy that you found this granola recipe. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan
Broccoli Quiche CupsMake this crustless quiche in muffin cups or in a regular-size pie tin. Either way, there's plenty of bacon-y, cheesy goodness to go around. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Whole Wheat Pecan WafflesWe bought a new waffle maker, and a recipe came along with it. We finally tried it, and after a few changes to suit our tastes, these delicious waffles were the result. —Sarah Morris, Joplin, Missouri
Eggs in PurgatoryTomatoes and red pepper flakes add the zing in these saucy eggs. Serve them with crusty bread or sauteed polenta rounds. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Arugula & Mushroom Breakfast PizzaIt's a challenge to be creative with breakfast every morning, and I like to come up with fun foods the kids will love. This is a great recipe for the kids to join in and help make for breakfast. You can also make and freeze it before you add the eggs, then finish baking another day. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Italian Cloud EggsDrop egg yolks on nests of whipped Italian-seasoned egg whites, then bake in a cast-iron skillet. Dreamy!—Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Puff Pastry DanishesEven though they're simple to make, these jam-filled pastries are right at home in a holiday brunch spread. They were my dad's favorite, so the recipe will always be close to my heart. —Chellie Helmke, Jackson Center, Ohio
Blueberry-Cinnamon Campfire BreadA neighboring camper made a bread so tempting, I had to ask for the details. Here’s my version, best enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee by the campfire. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Upside-Down Pear PancakeThere’s a pear tree in my yard that inspires me to bake with its fragrant fruit. This upside-down pancake works best with a firm pear, not one that is fully ripe. —Helen Nelander, Boulder Creek, California
Hash Brown Quiche CupsQuiche cups are my showstopper potluck dish. Hash browns and Asiago cheese make up the crusts. Eggs, spinach and bacon do the rest. —Nicole Stone, Gilbertville, Iowa
Slow-Cooker Frittata ProvencalThis recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekend mornings. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Full Garden FrittataI was cooking for a health-conscious friend and wanted to serve a frittata. To brighten it up, I added leftover bruschetta topping and fresh mozzarella. Now that's breakfast. It's become a favorite among my friends and family, and a staple in my recipe book. —Melissa Rosenthal, Vista, California
Overnight Maple OatmealI tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Spicy Hash Brown Waffles with Fried EggsRefrigerated hash brown potatoes will help you make quick work of these crunchy waffles. Put out lots of toppings so everyone can design their own. —Nancy Judd, Alpine, Utah
Southwest Tortilla ScrambleHere’s my version of a deconstructed breakfast burrito that’s actually good for you. Go for hefty corn tortillas in this recipe. Flour ones can get lost in the scramble. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California
Spinach Quiche with Potato CrustWhile this recipe is delicious using ingredients exactly as listed, it’s also a smart way to make the most of any leftover potatoes and veggies. Use 2-1/2 cups leftover mashed potatoes and whatever cooked vegetables you have on hand. You can also substitute 1/2 pound Italian sausage for the bacon if you want a heartier quiche. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Breakfast SpudsHere's a dish that has it all—sweet potatoes, eggs, ham and cheese—for a powerful start to the day. —Annie Rundle, Muskego, Wisconsin
Overnight Cherry-Almond OatmealWould you like breakfast ready for you when the sun comes up? If so, try my hot cereal. It's so simple—just place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on before you go to bed. In the morning, enjoy a healthy, warm and satisfying dish. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Asparagus Phyllo BakeI'm Greek and I grew up wrapping everything in phyllo dough. When asparagus is in season, I bring out the phyllo and start baking! —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Scottsdale, AZ
Bacon Breakfast CupsMy son joked about adding bacon to cupcakes. I made bacon cups the next morning. The look on his face was priceless. — Karen Burkett, Reseda, California
Cinnamon Applesauce PancakesThese applesauce pancakes are so good, you just might skip the syrup. They were created for Christmas morning but have since wowed folks at church breakfasts as well as family and friends. The cinnamon is a delightful touch. —Richard DeVore, Gibsonburg, Ohio
Maple-Bacon Grits PuffBacon and maple add salty sweetness to a grits dish that puffs, tastes yummy and is beautiful to look at. — Lotte Washburn, Sebring, Florida
