32 Make-Ahead Recipes For Easter Brunch
Pull off a make-ahead Easter brunch that's big on flavor and low on effort.
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox
After church service is done and all the Easter eggs have been found, gather the family for a crowd-pleasing meal that's already ready to serve. These make-ahead Easter brunch recipes can be made or prepped in advance so you can sit down to eat before the kids start unwrapping the chocolate bunnies. We've included dishes for the entire feast, from ham, to side salads, to desserts. Best of all, most of these recipes can be served buffet-style so everyone can help themselves—and you can enjoy the day.
Bacon Hash Brown Quiche
Quiche is a classic Easter brunch dish, but this recipe kicks things up a notch with the addition of crispy hash browns, bacon, and bright asparagus. Make it the night before, let it cool, then reheat in the morning.
Pineapple Casserole
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
It just wouldn't be Easter without pineapple casserole. With only six ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish is an easy lift that offers major returns. Save a little time by mixing all the ingredients the day before (leaving the crumb topping separate from the rest of the casserole), then topping and baking the following day.
Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole
Since this dish requires an 8-hour or overnight sit, it's the perfect recipe to whip out for Easter brunch. Just put everything together the night before, then throw it in the oven right before company arrives.
Key Lime Poundcake
Dotdash Meredith
Key lime is a classic springtime dessert; we can't resist the sweet-tart flavor profile to welcome warmer weather. If a pie isn't in the cards, this relatively easy pound cake recipe with a beautiful key lime glaze is a welcome substitution.
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Finger foods are great to have on hand for more casual affairs. If you're imagining more of a grazing situation than a sit-down meal, these easy egg salad sandwiches will fit in perfectly. Make the salad up to a day in advance, then assemble closer to brunch time.
Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake
Jennifer Causey
The lemon curd in this showstopping recipe can be made up to two weeks in advance. That's one less thing to worry about when Eater week creeps up and you're starting to feel the stress.
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you're serving ham as your main course, this side dish is a must. Broccoli, cheese, and rice with a honey-baked ham is a combo that just can't be beat. Prepare everything the night before, then stick it in the oven and prepare for hot, cheesy goodness.
Fresh Fruit Salad
You can't have Easter brunch without fresh fruit to add a little color to your plate. Wash, cut, and mix all the fruit the night before. Toss it all with a honey and fruit juice dressing about an hour before guests arrive, and let it marinate in the refrigerator.
Glazed Spiral-Cut Holiday Ham
Make this ham one to two days in advance, and store it in the refrigerator before serving—it's delicious served cold or reheated. Choose from three glaze options: Pineapple Prosecco, Cola-Dijon-Brown Sugar, or Coffee and Pepper Jelly. Or you can omit the glaze if you like.
Ham Biscuits
For a more casual Easter main dish, layer slices of ham inside these pillowy soft biscuits. Set out a dish of your favorite spread or our Creole Mayonnaise so everyone can use as much as they like.
Eggs Benedict Casserole
Guests will be impressed to see eggs benedict on the menu. This casserole version allows you to prep in advance. The blender hollandaise comes together quickly on Easter morning.
Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs
No Easter spread is complete without deviled eggs. These bright beauties will rival eggs from the backyard egg hunt. Their vibrant pink color comes from pickling in a beet juice mixture overnight.
Sausage Gravy Casserole with Cheddar-Cornmeal Biscuits
What’s better than sausage and gravy? Make-ahead sausage and gravy that you can cook, freeze, and bake when you need it. This will feed—and please—a crowd.
Hashbrown Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This rich and comforting potato casserole is delicious any time of day but is especially coveted for Easter brunch. Make it the night before, let it come to room temperature, then store it in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving.
Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad
Combine two favorite side dishes—green beans and potato salad—into one tasty and pretty side dish. Prepare all of the ingredients in advance, then dress the salad just before serving, either chilled or at room temperature.
Bird's Nest Cookies
These charming spring treats are so easy to make, how could you not add them to your Easter menu? Perfect for a dessert tray or to top a cake, these little nests will delight everyone at your gathering. These are fun to make in advance with your family’s help.
Strawberry-Spinach Salad
Make the most of juicy spring strawberries with this light and lovely salad. Pungent blue cheese works well with mild spinach and sweet berries, but you can also use crumbled feta or goat cheese.
Mini Quiche with Asparagus and Goat Cheese
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Get a jumpstart on your Easter brunch by making these mini quiches up to two days ahead. To serve, let the quiches come to room temperature. You can also make one 9-inch quiche instead of individual servings.
Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls
Perfect for making ahead, this recipe needs 8 hours of chill time. Make it ahead and keep in the refrigerator until ready to rise and bake, or complete the recipe through baking and store in an air-tight container until brunch.
Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles
Individual ramekins add a special touch to Easter brunch. Make these mini casseroles the day before so all that’s required on Easter is popping them in the oven.
Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole
Make this casserole the night before so the croissants can soak up the creamy base. Use mild sausage instead of hot sausage for less heat. Worthy of Easter brunch or company, you’ll put this one in your weekend brunch rotation.
Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
Breakfast favorites combine in one glorious casserole—grits, sausage, and Cheddar cheese. Because you can make this earlier in the week, it’s a no-brainer for a full brunch buffet.
Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake
Hector Manuel Sanchez
This grits casserole is a simplified soufflé. Loaded with corn, ham, and Cheddar cheese, it puffs as it bakes. It’s a satisfying brunch dish that can be made ahead and baked the day of.
Hash Brown Patties
Whipping up hash browns for a crowd can be a daunting task, but it can be done in advance. Make the patties as directed, then freeze them. To serve, simply rewarm in the oven.
Asparagus with Eggs and Prosciutto
This elegant one-pan dish can be prepped ahead of time and assembled the day of your brunch. Make the vinaigrette, soft-boil the eggs, and blanch the asparagus the day before.
Waffle Casserole
With all of the salads, sausage, and sides on the Easter brunch menu, this sweet casserole will be a welcome change. Familiar waffles are baked in a maple-bourbon custard. This sits overnight for baking the next day.
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Bourbon-Maple Syrup
French toast casserole is a go-to make-ahead brunch recipe since it needs to chill overnight. This version uses thick baguette slices to soak up a custard flavored with cinnamon and orange. Bourbon brings out a caramel flavor in the maple syrup, but you can omit it if you prefer.
Cinnamon Roll Casserole
This cinnamon roll is big enough to share. Make this decadent casserole the night before, and bake it the next day. For a new flavor twist, try the Orange-Apricot variation.
Hummingbird Sheet Cake
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Hummingbird cake is right on theme for Easter brunch. This sheet cake version cuts down lots of prep time, by simplifying the assembly. With only 45 minutes of active time, you could easily do this the day before, and we promise it won't lose any moistness thanks to the bananas and crushed pineapple.
Big-Batch Bloody Marys
Serve bloody Marys at Easter brunch without the work of making individual cocktails. This big batch lets you do the work ahead of time, and guests can help themselves to the trimmings they like. Set out ice and a variety of garnishes, and enjoy these cocktails along with your guests.
Easter Punch
Get out the punch bowl for a delightful fruity punch that’s perfect for an Easter brunch. Grapefruit juice and strawberry lemonade blend for just the right amount of sweet-tart taste. Top with rosé and fresh fruit.
Champagne Punch
This champagne punch is a smart match for a special Easter meal. No one will guess how easy it is to pull together, with just four ingredients. Set out fruit juices and garnishes of fresh fruit and mint so guests can customize their drinks.
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