20 Breakfast-for-Dinner Recipes That’ll Make Your Family Think They’ve Hit the Dinner Jackpot

published May 8, 2023

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

When I was growing up, I remember it was always such a treat when my mom announced we were having breakfast for dinner. Scrambled egg sandwiches or pancakes blanketed with maple syrup on a Wednesday night? How did I get so lucky? While I joyfully believed I’d won the dinner jackpot, I now know that my mom was just as thrilled because it meant putting a thrifty meal on the table while giving her a much-needed reprieve with super-easy cooking.

These days, I happily slot breakfast-for-dinner nights into my own meal plan. Not only is it an easy solution when I don’t feel like cooking, but it also helps me repurpose leftovers and use up bits and bobs when it seems like there’s nothing in the fridge. Here are 20 breakfast-for-dinner recipes to try when you’re in the mood for something seriously comforting.

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Loaded Breakfast Skillet

This hearty skillet has all of our favorite elements of a breakfast burrito, cooked in a skillet. Top it with fresh cilantro and sliced avocado to freshen it up, and then scoop everything up onto tortilla chips. Voila! Dinner is served.

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French Onion Frittata

This frittata is loaded with all the best parts of a great bowl of French onion soup: velvety caramelized onions, melted Gruyere, even cubes of toast

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Baked Denver Omelet

Any dish you can simply slice and scoop is a win in our book. This baked Denver omelet is easy to throw together and it's a good way use up some fresh Southwestern ingredients. One more added bonus: This dish can be prepped and frozen up to 3 months ahead of time!

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Breakfast Pizza

Most might argue that there's never a bad time to have pizza, and this protein-packed breakfast pizza is definitely proof. Refrigerated pizza dough helps this meal come together quickly and you can customize the toppings with your favorite breakfast staples.

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"Ham and Cheese" Breakfast Casserole

Ham and cheese are those two ingredients that go together like peanut butter and jelly or french fries and ketchup. Some food combinations are just meant to be and this casserole brings out the best of this classic pairing.

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Skillet Chipotle Chilaquiles with Eggs

These flavorful chipotle chilaquiles are a great way to get you day started. Since most of this recipe is done in the skillet, you can avoid dirtying multiple dishes and have breakfast-for-dinner on the table in no time!

7 / 20

Sausage and Greens Breakfast Casserole

Casserole for breakfast is something to look forward to when it has sausage, spinach, potatoes, and plenty of cheese.

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Parmesan-Herb Dutch Baby with Garlic-Butter Mushrooms

Dutch babies typically skew sweet, but thanks to a sprinkle of salty Parmesan, some fresh herbs, and a garlic-butter mushroom topping, this version is all in with satisfying, savory flavors.

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The Easiest Cheese and Vegetable Frittata

Frittatas have a special way of making you feel like a dinnertime hero. Because when it feels like there's nothing in the fridge, this egg skillet transforms those bits and bobs in the crisper into something seriously delicious. All vegetables, herbs, and cheese are fair game here.

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The Easiest Migas

You know that nice pack of tortillas you bought and then promptly forgot about after putting them in the fridge? Well, they’re the secret to the most delicious pan of Mexican-style scrambled eggs, otherwise known as migas.

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Scrambled Eggs With Green Peppers & Mushrooms

When I want eggs but also kind of want something with veggies, I round up whatever's in the crisper for this simple scramble. Even though the recipe calls for green pepper, button mushrooms, and baby spinach, any kind of bell peppers, mushrooms, or greens can be easily swapped in.

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Challah French Toast

The only thing better and more comforting than tucking into a pile of French toast on Saturday morning is when you serve it up for dinner in the middle of the week. What a treat!

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Wrapped Breakfast Quesadillas

If you've got a pack of flour tortillas in the fridge, you've got to try this Crunchwrap-inspired quesadilla. The sides are folded, so you don't lose any of the scrambled eggs and gooey cheese when you bite in. Try bulking yours up with a couple spoonfuls of mashed beans of a couple slices of avocado.

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Crème Fraîche Scrambled Egg and Smoked Salmon Sandwiches

If crème fraîche is not available at your local store, or not in your budget this week, use sour cream. Just a tablespoon will do — your eggs will thank you for it.

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Fluffy Oven-Baked Skillet Pancake

If you’re still making pancakes for your family like a short-order cook, we’ve got just the thing to make your life a whole lot easier: a skillet pancake. Just pour the batter into a hot skillet, bake for about half an hour, then sit down to the perfect mid-week treat for dinner.

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Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Even better than tucking into this loaded egg casserole for dinner is the leftovers you'll have for future breakfasts or lunches.

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Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes

The beauty of making individual-sized Dutch babies is that everyone at the table can top theirs just the way they like.

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Southwest Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Prep the quinoa base in advance, so when dinner time rolls around all that's left to do is cook up some eggs.

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If scrambled eggs are your breakfast-for-dinner go-to, may I suggest upgrading to folded eggs? They have the soft, custardy texture you expect from scrambled eggs, but hold together way better (kind of like an omelet). I love topping them on a slice of avocado or hummus toast, although they're also good simply on their own.

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3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Oats, eggs, and cottage cheese are all you need to pull off these protein-rich pancakes. Yogurt (or more cottage cheese!) and a dollop of jam or fresh fruit make a nice alternative to maple syrup, for topping.

This post was originally published on Kitchn. Read it there: 20 Easy Breakfast-for-Dinner Recipes to Make Tonight