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    Home » Recipes » Christmas » Buffet Food Ideas 60+

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    Buffet Food Ideas 60+

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    Plan the perfect holiday party with my Simple Buffet Ideas! This collection of perfect crowd-feeding recipes makes menu planning for a holiday get-together or special occasion so much easier. From breakfast buffet food to buffet desserts, you will find everything you need on this list!

    collage showing dutch oven pot roast, mexican corn dip, garlic butter mushrooms, and brussels sprouts salad
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    Buffet Ideas

    Holiday menu planning does not have to be stressful! I love planning for the holidays, but the trick to coming up with the perfect menu and not stressing yourself out is to plan it all ahead of time.

    Serving your meals buffet-style is the perfect solution to holiday stress. Plan it all out beforehand, then prep and serve. The best part is, simple buffet ideas give you more time to spend with your guests.

    Buffet food ideas also allow your guests to personalize their dinner, so it’s a great choice to serve a buffet when you know you’ll be hosting picky eaters or guests with food allergies. And, it’s just plain fun! Who doesn’t love a buffet?

    Buffet Food for Breakfast

    Make it an all-you-can-eat breakfast with our easy and simple breakfast buffet ideas!

    Sausage Breakfast Casserole
    Sausage Breakfast Casserole with Crescent Rolls is an easy breakfast that’s great for feeding a crowd! Filling, hearty, and so delicious!
    Get this recipe!
    Sausage Breakfast Casserole with Crescent Rolls
    Starbucks Egg Bites (Copycat Recipe)
    Just like the popular gruyere and bacon Starbucks egg bites, these sous vide egg bites are rich, velvety, and perfect for an on-the-go breakfast!
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    Lifting an egg bite out of the silicone egg mold
    Overnight French Toast Casserole
    My overnight French Toast Casserole recipe is a game-changer for holidays and weekday meals! Ready in 40 minutes using simple ingredients.
    Get this recipe!
    french toast casserole in a white mug with syrup and fruit
    Amazing Sausage Gravy Recipe -Instant Pot & Stovetop
    Our Instant Pot Sausage Gravy Recipe is the easiest way to make the most delicious southern sausage gravy and biscuits ever, using a few secret ingredients!
    Get this recipe!
    Close up of instant pot sausage gravy on top of biscuits on a plate next to a red spatula
    Banana Bread Waffles Recipe
    Banana Bread Waffles are quick, easy, and so delicious! You'll love every bite of this comforting, homemade waffle recipe.
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    Pouring syrup onto two banana bread waffles topped with banana slices
    Air Fryer Bacon
    My crispy Air Fryer Bacon recipe will change the way you make bacon! It is so much easier than making bacon on the stove or in the oven and takes just 10 minutes to do.
    Get this recipe!
    Strips of bacon on a white plate
    Gluten Free Donuts
    Gluten Free Donuts are a fun recipe you need right now! Soft, fluffy and tossed in a cinnamon sugar mixture, you’d never guess these donuts are GLUTEN FREE! 
    Get this recipe!
    GLuten Free Donuts #SundaySupper
    Amazing Strawberry Crepes
    My easy Strawberry Crepes recipe is a beautiful breakfast or dessert you can make using simple ingredients in minutes!
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    Strawberry crepes on a white plate with chocolate sauce
    Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
    My Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes are as crispy and delicious as they come. This easy air fryer recipe is perfect for cooking up a simple, quick breakfast the whole family will love!
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    Air fryer breakfast potatoes up close on a plate with eggs

    Buffet Ideas – Appetizers

    Simple party food is a must for buffet appetizers! Try our favorites:

    Cucumber Canapés with Shrimp
    Cucumber canapes with shrimp are easy to prepare fancy appetizers with a refreshing homemade tzatziki filling and vibrant herb topping!
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    Cucumber canapes with shrimp on a white plate with fresh herb topping
    Delicious Pulled Pork Poutine
    Learn how to make poutine with pulled pork for a delicious meal! Pulled pork poutine uses leftovers for a quick and easy poutine recipe you will love.
    Get this recipe!
    A wooden spoon with a portion of pulled pork poutine
    Street Corn Dip
    My Mexican Street Corn Dip is cheesy, creamy, and so delicious! With a kick of heat from jalapeno and tajin seasoning, this hot corn dip recipe has it all. Perfect for parties!
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    Street corn dip in a blue bowl with corn chips and green onions
    Jalapeno Deviled Eggs
    Learn how to make deviled eggs taste like jalapeno poppers following my easy Jalapeno Deviled Eggs recipe!
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    jalapeno popper deviled eggs on a white tray
    Easy Spinach Puff Pastry Recipe
    Learn how to make a Spinach Puff Pastry recipe everyone will love! These delicious spinach puffs are simple and yet so flavorful.
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    rows of spinach puff pastries on a serving board
    Amazing Burrata Salad Recipe
    Creamy burrata cheese with salty prosciutto, fresh Parmesan, and crisp arugula, all seasoned with sea salt, pepper, and drizzled olive oil… that's our incredible Arugula Burrata Salad Recipe!
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    Burrata cheese topped with parmesan on a bed of prosciutto and arugula with olive oil
    Shrimp Shumai
    Shrimp shumai is a tasty and EASY staple dim sum recipe made with ginger and garlic shrimp, water chestnuts, and a soy sauce mixture, served as dumplings!
    Get this recipe!
    Four shrimp shumai dumplings in a steamer basket on parchment paper
    Beer Cheese Dip (Obatzda)
    This creamy and flavorful beer cheese dip (also called Obatzda) is an authentic German dip perfect for dipping pretzels, sliced meats, and more.
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    Beer Cheese Dip (Obatzda)
    Soft Pretzel Recipe
    Perfect for dipping and sharing, this fluffy soft pretzel recipe is SO easy to make at home and delicious, too! Try these buttery soft pretzels with your favorite cheese dip.
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    Soft Pretzel Recipe: a white plate of fresh homemade soft pretzels

    Buffet Food Ideas – Casseroles

    Casseroles make the easiest buffet menu ideas! Our favorites are easy to make, and simple to store and reheat in a pinch.

    Mexican Street Corn Casserole
    My Mexican Street Corn Casserole recipe uses simple ingredients to turn your favorite elote recipe into the perfect party side dish!
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    Mexican street corn casserole in a white dish up close with hot sauce in a bowl behind it
    Vegetables Au Gratin
    Learn how to make vegetable au gratin using root vegetables in under an hour! These roasted vegetables with cheese sauce are a perfect holiday side dish.
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    vegetable au gratin in a black skillet
    Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
    Creamy whipped sweet potatoes with cinnamon and nutmeg are topped with a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping in this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole.
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    Southern Sweet Potato Casserole in a serving dish with a wooden spoon to dish some out
    Creamed Corn Casserole
    With only 5 ingredients and 3 simple steps to follow, this is the easiest Baked Creamed Corn Casserole recipe that takes just 30 minutes to bake!
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    Drizzling honey over cornbread casserole slices
    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
    Our recipe for Easy Mashed Potatoes in Instant Pot results in buttery, creamy, and delicious potatoes.
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    spoonful of instant pot mashed potatoes over a bowl
    Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
    This Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole recipe is so comforting and made from scratch! It's the perfect easy Thanksgiving side dish. Made with fresh veggies!
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    A gluten-free green bean casserole in a glass dish with a wooden serving spoon
    Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
    Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes are ready in under 30 minutes! Deliciously cheesy and creamy, these au gratin potatoes make the perfect holiday side dish!
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    Close up of instant pot scalloped potatoes in the baking dish with a serving spoon
    Creamy Mashed Potatoes
    Follow my guide on How to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes for the best creamy mashed potatoes recipe you can make in 5 easy steps!
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    creamy mashed potatoes piled high in a white dish
    Amazing Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes
    Our Gluten Free Potatoes Au Gratin is a classic side dish recipe that's perfect for Sunday supper or the holidays. It's bursting with flavor from creamy garlic potatoes and a cheesy crust!
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    Gluten free au gratin potatoes in a skillet on a towel
    Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
    Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is an extra creamy mac and cheese with incredible flavor that will remind you of the Trader Joe's recipe everyone loves!
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    butternut squash mac and cheese in a white bowl

    Buffet Foods – Vegetables

    Vegetable side dishes make such simple buffet ideas! They pair well with everything and are so simple to prepare and serve.

    Green Bean Almondine
    Crisp green bean almondine is a simple side dish made extra special with the addition of buttery, pan fried almonds and fresh dill! There is no better reason to start eating your greens than these green beans with almonds.
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    Green beans almondine on a grey speckled plate with a fork
    Air Fryer Mushrooms
    Light, crispy, and easy AIR FRYER MUSHROOMS are a flavorful appetizer you’ll love! Fried mushrooms make an easy game day appetizer, PERFECT for dipping.
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    Air fryer mushrooms in a white square dish up close
    Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
    These Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots are the perfect addition to your Easy Easter Side Dishes! Whole, peeled carrots are seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and oregano, drizzled with a little garlic oil, and roasted until tender. Finish with a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan and melted butter for an easy and delicious springtime side.
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    Parmesan Garlic Roasted Carrots on a white dish
    Amazing Button Mushrooms Recipe
    Mushrooms are caramelized in butter and olive oil and sautéed with garlic and herbs in this BUTTON MUSHROOMS RECIPE for the perfect side for any entrée!
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    Garlic butter button mushrooms in a cast iron skillet
    Garlic Butter Small Potatoes Recipe
    Garlicky, buttery, and oh-so-crispy, our Garlic Roasted Small Potatoes make a delicious side dish for every meal from beef to chicken.
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    Roasted small potatoes in a skillet
    Amazing Instant Pot Carrots Recipe
    Instant Pot Candied Carrots are ready in no time! Made with a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, these carrots taste delicious. Perfect for a holiday meal!
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    Candied carrots on a white plate with fresh herbs and green onions
    Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions
    Using only a few SIMPLE ingredients, quick and easy sautéed mushrooms and onions are the PERFECT versatile side dish for steak, burgers, chicken or pork!
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    sautéed mushrooms and onions in a black cast iron skillet
    Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe
    Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes are so deliciously sweet, and perfect for the holidays or as a side dish for Sunday Supper! Ready in under 30 minutes.
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    Roasted sweet potatoes with a wooden spoon on a baking sheet

    Ideas for Buffet Food – Salads

    Salads are a must for filling out your party food buffet ideas! Here are our best salad recipes for a crowd:

    Roasted Artichoke Hearts Salad Recipe
    Roasted Artichoke Salad is one of the easiest and prettiest holiday salad recipes you should be serving all season long! The roasted artichokes combined with the tangy burst of fresh basil vinaigrette is the perfect festive salad and a delicious way to start your meal.
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    Drizzling on the vinaigrette for Ina Garten's Roasted Artichoke Salad
    Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad
    Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad is a delicious warm salad recipe you will crave more and more of! It's a perfect holiday side dish, with Parmesan, pecans, cranberries, and garlic.
    Get this recipe!
    Close up of roasted brussels sprouts salad in a white bowl
    Zesty & Tangy Orange and Fennel Salad
    With its bright, sweet, and zesty flavors, Orange and Fennel Salad is a perfect side salad or citrus salad recipe for lunch!
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    Orange and fennel salad on a black plate
    Grilled Chicken Salad
    Complete with crisp, fresh veggies and deliciously creamy buttermilk ranch dressing, my Grilled Chicken Salad is a must-try for the summer!
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    Grilled chicken salad up close with avocado and veggies
    Broccoli Apple Salad
    This Broccoli Apple Salad is absolutely delicious! Make it with deli turkey and follow the recipe for a complete meal that’s super quick and easy.
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    Broccoli Apple Salad
    Main Course Salads + Grilled Chicken Salad
    This easy salad with grilled chicken, complete with homemade buttermilk ranch dressing, is the perfect summer chicken salad!
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    grilled chicken resting on a salad
    Kale Caesar Salad
    Learn how to make Chick-fil-A Lemon Kale Caesar Salad at home using easy ingredients! Simple to make and so delicious!
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    Pouring dressing on chick-fil-a kale caesar salad

    Buffet Ideas – Main Course

    These buffet-style main course ideas are perfect for holiday menu planning!

    Slow Roasted Prime Rib
    My Slow Roasted Prime Rib Roast recipe is a melt-in-your-mouth holiday classic. Using only 4 ingredients and hardly any prep work, this is an easy rib roast recipe that will really "wow" your guests!
    Get this recipe!
    Slow Roasted Prime Rib Recipe featured image
    Juicy Grilled Turkey
    Your Thanksgiving plans are about to change forever! Our Juicy Grilled Turkey Recipe has the crispiest skin ever and is so juicy.
    Get this recipe!
    Grilled turkey recipe up close stuffed with citrus and herbs
    Instant Pot Ham Recipe
    Not only does it taste amazing, but Instant Pot Ham really is the easiest way to make ham. It takes just 15 minutes to cook, and the reverse sear gives it a super flavorful, crispy, and sticky skin.
    Get this recipe!
    Close up of Instant Pot Ham with two orange wedges
    Sirloin Tip Roast Recipe
    The perfect roast for a cold winter night! This Dutch Oven Pot Roast is a family friendly recipe, that is easy to cook and so low effort. Perfect for busy families and novice chefs!
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    Close up of Dutch Oven pot roast meat with herbs and carrots
    Honey Glazed Ham
    This is the BEST ham glaze recipe out there! Your guests are going to love our easy Sunday Ham recipe! It is the perfect holiday ham.
    Get this recipe!
    Sliced honey glazed ham on a platter
    Grilled Crab Legs with Garlic Butter Sauce
    Tender, luscious Grilled Crab Legs cook up in just 10 minutes on the grill and pair deliciously with flavorful garlic butter sauce. You will love every bite of this easy grilling recipe!
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    Grilled crab legs on a white surface with fresh herbs and a side of garlic butter in a little bowl
    Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe
    Lemon Butter Chicken is a flavorful dinner made with the most delicious lemon garlic butter sauce ever! An instant family favorite. You will love this easy chicken dinner!
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    lemon chicken tenders in a pan with lemon slices
    Best Chuck Roast Recipe
    Our Beef Chuck Roast is braised slowly to create a wonderfully tender and flavorful meal!
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    Overhead shot of beef chuck roast recipe on a white platter with carrots and fresh herbs
    The Easiest Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
    The easiest guide for how to make pulled pork in crock pot! Follow our guide on how to make pulled pork, and you'll have the best pulled pork recipe on the block. Slow cooker pulled pork is so mouth-wateringly good, you'll be shooing away neighbors.
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    Pulled pork piled on a sandwich with coleslaw

    Buffet Menu Ideas – Desserts

    These are the easiest desserts to make ahead of time for a buffet party!

    Chocolate Salami (Salame de Chocolate)
    Learn how to make Chocolate Salami, or Salame de Chocolate, using 6 simple ingredients in 15 minutes! Easy, elegant, and delicious!
    Get this recipe!
    Chocolate salami on a yellow cloth
    Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
    There is no treat as deliciously sweet as Ooey Gooey Butter Cake! Also known as chess cake, chess pie, or chess squares, this simple dessert recipe is a classic Southern food everyone who tries it loves.
    Get this recipe!
    ooey gooey butter cake on a white platter covered in powdered sugar
    Amazing Instant Pot Cheesecake Recipe
    Instant Pot Cheesecake Recipe is SUPER easy and guarantees you a perfect result every time! Easily make perfect homemade cheesecake in your Instant Pot.
    Get this recipe!
    Instant Pot Cheesecake with raspberry decoration
    Key Lime Pie Bars
    Tart and sweet with a buttery cookie crust, this Key Lime Pie Bars recipe is perfect for spring and summer. Serve it for a backyard BBQ or potluck, and everyone will be asking for the recipe!
    Get this recipe!
    Three key lime pie bars stacked on top of each other surrounded by cookie crumbles with a lime slice on top
    Fresas con Crema
    My Fresas con Crema recipe shows you how easy it is to make a special and memorable dessert for your family without spending hours in the kitchen! In fact, it only takes 10 minutes!
    Get this recipe!
    Fresas con Crema in a clear bowl
    Gluten Free Fudge Brownies
    Totally decadent Gluten Free Fudge Brownies are so tasty, they are crave-worthy! You will never believe how easy it is to prepare these gluten free brownies! They are the perfect dessert for any occasion.
    Get this recipe!
    Decadent and delicoous Gluten Free Fudge Brownies on a table
    Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe
    Beautiful STRAWBERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKE is an easy dessert recipe made with simple homemade strawberry sauce and smooth, creamy baked cheesecake.
    Get this recipe!
    Strawberry swirl cheesecake topped with fresh berries and a cup of strawberry sauce to the side
    Zucchini Brownies with Coconut Oil
    My Zucchini Brownies with Coconut Oil are so moist, decadently fudgy, and rich. They're ready in just 40 minutes and are so easy to make.
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    Four coconut oil brownies
    Carlota de Limón
    Sweet and tangy Carlota de Limón is a classic Mexican NO BAKE dessert recipe with layers of Maria biscuits, condensed milk, dulce de leche, and lime juice!
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    Single slice of Carlota de Limon with fresh strawberries and a fork to serve
    Easy Strawberry Dump Cake Recipe
    Quick and delicious, this Strawberry Dump Cake with Bananas is a miracle dessert! You can prepare it with almost no efforts but the result will certainly amaze everyone around you!
    Get this recipe!
    Strawberry Banana Dump Cake in a baking dish on a table, served in plates. Delicious and easy fruit dessert
    Ina Garten Apple Crisp Recipe
    The most amazing cinnamon baked apples and mouthwatering, delicious, buttery streusel topping make up this Ina Garten Apple Crisp. Every bite is heavenly!
    Get this recipe!
    Ina Garten Apple Crisp #SundaySupper
    Crumbl Cookies Recipe – Chocolate Oreo
    Learn how to make Chocolate Oreo Crumbl Cookies with a rich, chocolatey cookie base and decadent cream cheese icing using simple ingredients!
    Get this recipe!
    three crumbl cookies on a baking rack
    Amazing Rhubarb Dump Cake
    Rhubarb dump cake is one of the easiest springtime desserts you can make, using cake mix and a handful of other SIMPLE ingredients in a few EASY steps!
    Get this recipe!
    Rhubarb dump cake in a white dish with a serving spoon and a bowl of dump cake to the side

    Holiday Menu Ideas

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    What’s your favorite dish to serve for a buffet? Did you try any of these party food buffet ideas? Let us know in the comments below! We love to hear from you!

    📋 Recipe

    Sausage Breakfast Casserole with Crescent Rolls

    Buffet Ideas – Sausage Casserole

    Isabel Laessig
    Look no further for simple buffet ideas! Sausage Breakfast Casserole with Crescent Rolls is an easy breakfast that's great for feeding a hungry crowd!
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    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 572 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9" by 13" baking dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound breakfast sausage (not sausage links)
    • 6 large eggs
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon paprika
    • 1 cup colby jack cheese shredded
    • 1 cup mozzarella shredded
    • 16 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls 2 tubes
    • 1 to 2 green onions thinly sliced
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
      Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned all the way through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Be sure to break up the sausage as it cooks. Remove from heat and strain off grease. Set aside.
      Browned sausage in skillet
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika until fully incorporated. Add cheese and stir to combine. Set aside.
      mixing the ingredients for sausage breakfast casserole
    • Open crescent rolls and roll according to package directions. Arrange 15 rolls in prepared baking dish in three rows with 5 rolls in each row.
      ingredients in separate bowls for sausage breakfast casserole
    • Add sausage to the baking dish, spreading it evenly over the rolls.
      spreading sausage over crescent rolls
    • Pour the egg mixture over the rolls and sausage. 
      spreading egg over sausage
    • Bake for 25 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.
      Sprinkle top with green onions, if desired. Serve warm.
      Baked sausage breakfast casserole in a dish

    Video

    Notes

    • Make sure to use ground sausage or breakfast patties, not the links. Regular, hot, or sage sausage is perfect for this dish.
    • This crescent roll breakfast Casserole is great with a little hot sauce on it.
    • You can substitute bacon or ham for the sausage in this casserole. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 572kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 23gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 218mgSodium: 1204mgPotassium: 275mgSugar: 6gVitamin A: 685IUVitamin C: 1.5mgCalcium: 245mgIron: 2.3mg
    Keyword buffet food, buffet food ideas, buffet foods, buffet ideas
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    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

    » About Me

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debra Steinbacher says

      Cauliflower augratin and angel food cake with strawberries seem to be two things I make for Easter dinner..

      Reply

      • Em Beitel says

        That sounds amazing, Debra. We’d love to know how you make your cauliflower au gratin!

        Reply

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