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Breakfast for Dinner Recipes
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  3. Breakfast for Dinner Recipes

Breakfast for Dinner Recipes

Moving rise-and-shine favorites to the evening time slot feels both fun and indulgent. We've dressed up those favorites for primetime dinner fare. The beauty of many breakfast dishes is how easily they adapt to a dinner setting. Add a lightly dressed bed of greens to an omelet, and you have a truly terrific dinner. Craving comforting oats? Make them savory instead of sweet, and your breakfast favorite just became a dinnertime delight. Every night is a good night to enjoy breakfast for dinner.

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August 24, 2011
1 of 40 Photo: John Kernick

Healthy Breakfast for Dinner Recipes

Cooking first-of-the-day dishes for dinner seems oddly indulgent, somehow, and liberating, maybe a bit frisky, like lounging around in pajamas with a martini. It's also a little like eating dessert first: You're an adult, and you're going to eat what you want, when you want it! That said, a breakfast dish time-shifted to the dinner hour needs some dressing up. A few ingredient twists or technique tweaks are required. Upgrade French toast, for instance, with chewy, crusty Italian ciabatta bread stuffed with savory Gruyère cheese, and top it with a fresh, tart apple syrup. Or, make over your basic egg sandwich by pairing fried eggs with sweet caramelized onions, peppery arugula, and smoky bacon—still striking breakfast notes, but the tune seems downright decadent. Get out the PJs, pour a nice bottle of red, and dig in.
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2 of 40 Photo: Jennifer Causey

Egg and Toast Cups

Unleash your muffin tin's magic! This multipurpose pan takes the guesswork out of portion control by offering personal servings. You just might be able to entice your kids into eating a fulfilling breakfast with this cute all-in-one dish. You can cater to individual tastes too: Add chives to one up and spinach to another, or exchange the bacon for ham.

View Recipe: Egg and Toast Cups
3 of 40 Photo: Jennifer Causey

Egg and Tomato Open-Faced Sandwiches

Slightly thicker (1 1/2-oz.) bread slices build a sturdy sandwich base. Slice your own, or ask to have it sliced on the thick side. Meaty, briny kalamata olives and a splash of vinegar punch up a quick red pepper sauce for these vegetarian sandwiches. Serve with our Cheddar and Chive "Squachos," easy, cheesy nacho-style broiled squash slices, to complete the meal.

View Recipe: Egg and Tomato Open-Faced Sandwiches
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4 of 40 Photo: Johnny Miller

Egg and Hash Brown Casserole

This make-ahead dish is like enjoying an omelet stuffed with spinach, Swiss cheese, and mushrooms, with hearty sides of bacon and hash browns, all in one package.

View Recipe: Egg and Hash Brown Casserole
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5 of 40 Photo: Jennifer Causey

Savory Chickpea Waffles

We swap sugary pancake syrup for a poached egg and use chickpea flour in place of refined for an extra punch of protein. Enjoy for a quick breakfast or dinner.

View Recipe: Savory Chickpea Waffles
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6 of 40 Photo: Jennifer Causey

Texas Barbecue Hash

Hash is the king of reinvented leftovers. Here we've added a Southern barbecue spin. Four fried eggs top this protein-packed meal.

View Recipe: Texas Barbecue Hash
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7 of 40 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Eggs Benedict

The real kicker on this breakfast classic is the buttery, luscious hollandaise sauce. We lighten it up with a mixture of silken tofu and reduced-fat sour cream. When poaching eggs, choose the freshest possible; the white adheres to the yolk better, making for an easier, cleaner poach.

View Recipe: Eggs Benedict
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8 of 40 Photo: Jennifer Causey

Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet

Say hello to next-level breakfast for dinner. Inspired by a traditional crispy, potato-studded Spanish tortilla, our quick-fix fluffy omelet is topped with potato chips for a touch of crunch.

View Recipe: Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet
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9 of 40 Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

Leek and Smoked Gruyère Mini Quiches

Individual, itty-bitty quiches are great for serving at a family brunch. While they may look cutesy, the complex flavors from the leek and applewood-smoked Gruyère ensure these pocket-sized egg parcels are tough enough for the grown-up's table.

View Recipe: Leek and Smoked Gruyère Mini Quiches
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10 of 40 Photo: Jennifer Causey

Saucy Chorizo and Egg Skillet

This is a Tex-Mex spin on eggs poached in spicy tomato sauce (Italian eggs in purgatory or Israeli shakshuka), which gets its heat from the cooked chorizo and ground red pepper.

View Recipe: Saucy Chorizo and Egg Skillet
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11 of 40 Photo: John Kernick

Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar

Bread pudding becomes a main dish inspired by the flavors of a loaded baked potato. Preparing the puddings in individual ramekins gives them a dressier feel and shortens cook time.

View Recipe: Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar
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12 of 40 Photo: John Kernick

Ciabatta French Toast with Warm Apple Maple Syrup

Moist yet crusty ciabatta and nutty Gruyère cheese set this dish apart from traditional French toast. A vegetable peeler works great for getting thin slices out of the cheese. Rome or Fuji apples would also work.

View Recipe: Ciabatta French Toast with Warm Apple Maple Syrup
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13 of 40 Photo: John Kernick

Bacon and Egg Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Arugula

This upscale twist on the traditional breakfast sandwich features sweet, tender caramelized onion and peppery arugula. A fresh fruit salad would be a good accompaniment.

View Recipe: Bacon and Egg Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Arugula
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14 of 40 Photo: John Kernick

Mozzarella Omelet with Sage and Red Chile Flakes

An omelet makes for a quick and easy dinner, but it doesn't have to be boring. Gooey mozzarella, vibrant sage, and a generous hit of red pepper make this a standout dish.

View Recipe: Mozzarella Omelet with Sage and Red Chile Flakes
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15 of 40 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Eggs Benedict Florentine with Creamy Butter Sauce

Our version of this classic dish features scrambled eggs and sautéed spinach atop Canadian bacon slices and English muffins. It is topped with a creamy sauce that's finished with clarified butter, so it is reminiscent of hollandaise.

View Recipe: Eggs Benedict Florentine with Creamy Butter Sauce
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16 of 40 Photo: John Autry

Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

We like the creamy, custardy consistency of this quiche when it's baked for 35 minutes. If you prefer a firmer texture, bake an additional 5 minutes.

View Recipe: Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche
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17 of 40 Photo: John Autry

Libanais Breakfast

This Middle Eastern-inspired breakfast is a popular selection at Medina in Vancouver, where the dish includes a boiled egg and three salads—tabbouleh, cucumber salad, and baba ghanoush—complemented with crisp pita toasts. Our simplified version features just one salad: tabbouleh.

View Recipe: Libanais Breakfast
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18 of 40 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Frittata with Spinach, Potatoes, and Leeks

Make the leek mixture, and cook the potatoes a day ahead. Or use store-bought diced cooked potatoes (such as Simply Potatoes), whisk the eggs, combine everything, and bake the frittata right before you are ready to serve dinner.

View Recipe: Frittata with Spinach, Potatoes, and Leeks
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19 of 40 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel

This recipe makes two strudels; for an eye-catching dinner table centerpiece, place them on a large platter, and surround them with fresh thyme sprigs.

View Recipe: Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel
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20 of 40 Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mushroom and Bell Pepper Omelet with Fontina

The nutty, smooth-melting fontina cheese provides a rich and supple counterpart to fresh produce and aromatic herbs in this dish.

View Recipe: Mushroom and Bell Pepper Omelet with Fontina
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21 of 40 Photo: Randy Mayor

Black Bean and Chicken Chilaquiles

A traditional Mexican breakfast favorite, chilaquiles (chee-lah-KEE-lays) is a sauté of day-old tortilla strips, fresh tomato sauce, cream, and cheese. This hearty version is baked and makes for a divine dinner. Says reader, Michelle, "Very good and easy to make. It's a nice casserole for a weeknight family dinner."

View Recipe: Black Bean and Chicken Chilaquiles
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22 of 40

Breakfast Sausage Casserole

This satisfying breakfast recipe is the perfect recipe to serve on a cozy night in. Look for turkey sausage near other breakfast-style sausage in the frozen foods section.

View Recipe: Breakfast Sausage Casserole
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23 of 40 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Spanish Tortilla with Almond Romesco

In Spain, a tortilla is a thin omelet served at room temperature. Roasted potato slices fill this version, while a sharp, tangy red bell pepper sauce tops it. The sauce can be prepared up to 3 days ahead; serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

View Recipe: Spanish Tortilla with Almond Romesco
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24 of 40 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Hash Brown Casserole

Make a traditional hash brown potato casserole light by using reduced-fat cheese and soup and fat-free sour cream. It's still cheesy and creamy, but has less than 5 grams of fat per serving.

View Recipe: Hash Brown Casserole
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25 of 40 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Frittata with Smoked Cheese and Canadian Bacon

Four eggs and four egg whites go into this frittata, which makes for a satisfying, quick supper. Potatoes, Canadian bacon, and smoked cheese make this version particularly hearty.

View Recipe: Frittata with Smoked Cheese and Canadian Bacon
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26 of 40 Photo: John Autry

Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs

To trim Swiss chard for this main dish, pull or cut the stems out of the leaves. Learn how to prepare Swiss chard in 4 simple steps. 

View Recipe: Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs
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27 of 40 Photo: Randy Mayor

McKerr Muffins

Egg substitute is a fat- and cholesterol-free alternative to whole eggs for many applications, but it needs to be cooked gently, with little stirring, to produce light, fluffy scrambled eggs. This twist on a breakfast standard makes this a great dinnertime choice.

View Recipe: McKerr Muffins
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28 of 40 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Breakfast Tortilla Strata

Put this dish together in the morning and chill it all day, this gives the tortillas time to soak up the batter, which makes the strips puff when baked.

View Recipe: Breakfast Tortilla Strata
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29 of 40 Photo: Randy Mayor

Broccoli-Sausage Calzones

These calzones are the perfect handheld meal. Whether you are running out to soccer practice or enjoying a relaxing dinner at home, you will love this recipe.

View Recipe: Broccoli-Sausage Calzones
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30 of 40 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Sweet Potato and Canadian Bacon Hash

Sweet potatoes are a creamy addition to this breakfast classic turned dinnertime favorite. To avoid mushy hash, don't boil the potatoes too long; remove them from the water while they're still al dente.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Canadian Bacon Hash
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31 of 40 Photo: Johnny Autry

Bacon and Cheese Custards

Serve these savory, smoky treats as a first course. When preparing the custard, be sure to heat the milk, don't boil. Custard success is all about temperature control.

View Recipe: Bacon and Cheese Custards
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32 of 40 Photo: Randy Mayor

Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos with Homemade Salsa

These breakfast tacos prove low-sodium doesn't mean less flavor. Fresh-made salsa tastes more vibrant than bottled, and you control the added sodium. The cheese and sour cream add salty notes to these tacos. Round out your meal with fresh mango slices.

View Recipe: Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos with Homemade Salsa
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33 of 40 Photo: Randy Mayor

Two-Tomato, Basil, and Goat Cheese Frittata

The addition of both grape and plum tomatoes gives this vegetarian frittata a boost of fresh flavor. With creamy goat cheese scattered throughout, every bite engulfs a pillowy cloud of light, tangy flavor. Make it for a crowd, or an at-home weekend brunch. Either way, eggs and goat cheese is a healthy, protein-packed combination that is hard to rival.

View Recipe: Two-Tomato, Basil, Goat Cheese Frittata
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34 of 40 Photo: Oxmoor House

Banana-Almond Butter French Toast Sandwiches

Breakfast sandwiches make us want to dance around the kitchen—especially when our panini press is involved. But you don't need a press to make this sandwich. Just cook it in a frying pan with some cooking spray, and press on it with the back of a spatula. Presto! (Get it?!)

View Recipe: Banana-Almond Butter French Toast Sandwiches
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35 of 40 Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

Spinach, Bacon, and Cheese Quiche

This quiche has a buttery crust, a fluffy egg center with smoky and salty bacon, and a blend of two cheeses.

View Recipe: Spinach, Bacon, and Cheese Quiche
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36 of 40 Photo: Jason Wallis

Mexican Chorizo Hash

This breakfast-for-dinner skillet gets heat from spicy Mexican chorizo. Don't stir the potatoes too much as they cook so they crisp in the pan. If you like your eggs more firm, cook them longer, or stir them in for a scramble.

View Recipe: Mexican Chorizo Hash
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37 of 40 Photo: Rob Culpepper

Chard, Caramelized Onion, and Gruyère Crepes

Nutty whole-wheat pastry flour keeps these crepes light as air. The crepes can be made ahead of time, then stacked between paper towels, and stored in the fridge for a couple of days or in the freezer for a few weeks.

View Recipe: Chard, Caramelized Onion, and Gruyère Crepes
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38 of 40 Photo: Randy Mayor

Vegetable and Greens Hash with Poached Egg

Toss in any combination of root vegetables, dark leafy greens, and fresh herbs to create different versions of this versatile and simple entrée.

View Recipe: Vegetable and Greens Hash with Poached Egg
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39 of 40 Photo: Johnny Autry

Omelet with Turmeric, Tomato, and Onions

Known for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects, turmeric is one of the best spices to start your day off right. Here, turmeric along with tomatoes, green onions, and brown mustard seeds combine with eggs to create a flavor-packed omelet.

View Recipe: Omelet with Turmeric, Tomato, and Onions
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40 of 40 Photo: John Autry

Eggs Poached in Curried Tomato Sauce

Decrease the heat by removing some or all of the jalapeño's seeds. You can make the sauce up to three days ahead; prepare through step 1, cool, cover, and refrigerate. Bring back to a gentle simmer before proceeding.

View Recipe: Eggs Poached in Curried Tomato Sauce

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