Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
SUBSCRIBE
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Breakfast for Dinner Recipes

Breakfast for Dinner Recipes

September 01, 2011
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: John Autry
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.
Start Slideshow

1 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Healthy Breakfast for Dinner Recipes

Credit: Photo: John Kernick
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.

1 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Egg and Toast Cups

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: 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.

2 of 40

3 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Egg and Tomato Open-Faced Sandwiches

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: 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.

3 of 40

Advertisement

4 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Egg and Hash Brown Casserole

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: 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.

4 of 40

5 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Savory Chickpea Waffles

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: 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.

5 of 40

6 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Texas Barbecue Hash

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: 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.

6 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Eggs Benedict

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: 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.

7 of 40

8 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: 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.

8 of 40

9 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Leek and Smoked Gruyère Mini Quiches

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

9 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Saucy Chorizo and Egg Skillet

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: 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.

10 of 40

11 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar

Credit: Photo: John Kernick
View Recipe: 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.

11 of 40

12 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ciabatta French Toast with Warm Apple Maple Syrup

Credit: Photo: John Kernick
View Recipe: 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.

12 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bacon and Egg Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Arugula

Credit: Photo: John Kernick
View Recipe: 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.

13 of 40

14 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mozzarella Omelet with Sage and Red Chile Flakes

Credit: Photo: John Kernick
View Recipe: 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.

14 of 40

15 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Eggs Benedict Florentine with Creamy Butter Sauce

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

15 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

16 of 40

17 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Libanais Breakfast

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

17 of 40

18 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Frittata with Spinach, Potatoes, and Leeks

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

18 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

19 of 40

20 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mushroom and Bell Pepper Omelet with Fontina

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

20 of 40

21 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Black Bean and Chicken Chilaquiles

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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."

21 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Breakfast Sausage Casserole

View Recipe: 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.

22 of 40

23 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spanish Tortilla with Almond Romesco

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

23 of 40

24 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hash Brown Casserole

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

24 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Frittata with Smoked Cheese and Canadian Bacon

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

25 of 40

26 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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. 

26 of 40

27 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

McKerr Muffins

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.

27 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Breakfast Tortilla Strata

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

28 of 40

29 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Broccoli-Sausage Calzones

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.

29 of 40

30 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sweet Potato and Canadian Bacon Hash

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

30 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bacon and Cheese Custards

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: 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.

31 of 40

32 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos with Homemade Salsa

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.

32 of 40

33 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Two-Tomato, Basil, and Goat Cheese Frittata

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Two-Tomato, Basil, 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.

33 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Banana-Almond Butter French Toast Sandwiches

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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?!)

34 of 40

35 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach, Bacon, and Cheese Quiche

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

35 of 40

36 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mexican Chorizo Hash

Credit: Photo: Jason Wallis
View Recipe: 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.

36 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chard, Caramelized Onion, and Gruyère Crepes

Credit: Photo: Rob Culpepper
View Recipe: 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.

37 of 40

38 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegetable and Greens Hash with Poached Egg

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.

38 of 40

39 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Omelet with Turmeric, Tomato, and Onions

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: 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.

39 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

40 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Eggs Poached in Curried Tomato Sauce

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

40 of 40

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 40 Healthy Breakfast for Dinner Recipes
    2 of 40 Egg and Toast Cups
    3 of 40 Egg and Tomato Open-Faced Sandwiches
    4 of 40 Egg and Hash Brown Casserole
    5 of 40 Savory Chickpea Waffles
    6 of 40 Texas Barbecue Hash
    7 of 40 Eggs Benedict
    8 of 40 Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet
    9 of 40 Leek and Smoked Gruyère Mini Quiches
    10 of 40 Saucy Chorizo and Egg Skillet
    11 of 40 Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar
    12 of 40 Ciabatta French Toast with Warm Apple Maple Syrup
    13 of 40 Bacon and Egg Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Arugula
    14 of 40 Mozzarella Omelet with Sage and Red Chile Flakes
    15 of 40 Eggs Benedict Florentine with Creamy Butter Sauce
    16 of 40 Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche
    17 of 40 Libanais Breakfast
    18 of 40 Frittata with Spinach, Potatoes, and Leeks
    19 of 40 Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel
    20 of 40 Mushroom and Bell Pepper Omelet with Fontina
    21 of 40 Black Bean and Chicken Chilaquiles
    22 of 40 Breakfast Sausage Casserole
    23 of 40 Spanish Tortilla with Almond Romesco
    24 of 40 Hash Brown Casserole
    25 of 40 Frittata with Smoked Cheese and Canadian Bacon
    26 of 40 Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs
    27 of 40 McKerr Muffins
    28 of 40 Breakfast Tortilla Strata
    29 of 40 Broccoli-Sausage Calzones
    30 of 40 Sweet Potato and Canadian Bacon Hash
    31 of 40 Bacon and Cheese Custards
    32 of 40 Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos with Homemade Salsa
    33 of 40 Two-Tomato, Basil, and Goat Cheese Frittata
    34 of 40 Banana-Almond Butter French Toast Sandwiches
    35 of 40 Spinach, Bacon, and Cheese Quiche
    36 of 40 Mexican Chorizo Hash
    37 of 40 Chard, Caramelized Onion, and Gruyère Crepes
    38 of 40 Vegetable and Greens Hash with Poached Egg
    39 of 40 Omelet with Turmeric, Tomato, and Onions
    40 of 40 Eggs Poached in Curried Tomato Sauce

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Cooking Light

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    MeredithCooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Cooking Light. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

    View image

    Breakfast for Dinner Recipes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.