Meal prep isn’t just for dinner, it can also ensure you never skip breakfast – aka, the most important meal of the day. It is easy to run out of time and grab a cup of coffee or cold bowl of cereal, but we all know that a healthy, homemade meal is a more nourishing option. By planning ahead and doing a little work on the weekends, prepping your breakfast meals can save time, money and stress. And we’ve got a plethora of recipes to help you plan your menus, the cookware and bakeware you need for delicious results and easy cleanup, plus the following tips to get you ready for those busy mornings.

Make a Meal Plan for the Week
A key step to get ahead of the game is to make a meal plan for the week that incorporates pantry ingredients, as well as creating a grocery list. That way there’s no scrambling around the kitchen before work or school. As you create the weekly menu, make sure to keep in mind ways to cut time in the kitchen. Multi-task ingredients such as proteins and cooked veggies from dinners to throw into omelets or breakfast casseroles. Include a one-dish meal along with a grab and go muffin, so cleanup is quick and painless. Plan to make a double batch of quiche or breakfast casserole one day so you can cook, freeze and reheat all in the same stoneware dish for the next week.
Get the Recipe: Potato Crusted Farmers Market Quiche Shop: Heritage Fluted Pie Dish
Stock your Kitchen
With a solid meal plan in place, it’s easy to get your kitchen ready for breakfast with the right ingredients and cookware. Check the pantry and fridge before shopping so that you don’t duplicate ingredients and make sure to restock popular staples like eggs, flour and dairy that show up in multiple dishes. A well curated cookware collection covers almost every breakfast scenario but it helps to keep frequent fliers like stainless steel and non-stick Skillets and Fry Pans, as well as enameled cast iron Grill Pans and Griddles in an easy to grab spot by the stove.
Get the Recipe: Herb Scrambled Eggs with Ricotta Shop: 10 in. Signature Stainless Steel Fry Pan
Simplify Favorites
Many popular breakfast items require cooking individual portions in multiple batches, such as pancakes, waffles or French Toast which is impractical during the weekdays. For the same culinary experience with less actual work, prepare large format versions of these favorites that cut down on active time in the kitchen. French toast works particularly well as a casserole with tender egg custard baked into the bread and a crispy, caramelized crust on the top and edges. And for pancake fans, consider a pillowy Dutch Baby. The batter for this oversized, fluffy pancake is quickly made in a blender then cooked in the oven in a colorful Braiser. Top with store-bought lemon curd and fresh berries for a decadent breakfast with very little prep time.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Dutch Baby Pancake Shop: Signature Braiser
Cook the Day Before
With limited time for cooking, a collection of recipes you can prep or cook ahead of time is key to a productive morning. Many popular breakfast items, such as quiche and egg strata are just as delicious the next day as they are when first pulled out of the oven. When prepared in Le Creuset stoneware Casseroles and Baking Dishes or enameled cast iron Dutch Ovens, these recipes can all be fully cooked, frozen, reheated and served all in the same pan, cutting down on cleanup as well as time. We also love a recipe that can be prepped the day before, then freshly baked in the morning, such as Cherry Cinnamon Rolls or our savory version of Ham and Cheddar Breakfast Rolls. These hearty rolls rise in the fridge in a stoneware baking dish overnight, then bake to perfection in the morning.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar, Broccoli and Ham Breakfast Rolls Shop: Heritage Square Baking Dish
Feature Grab-and-Go Items
Stock your fridge and freezer with healthy, fully cooked breakfast items that can either be eaten as is or briefly reheated in the morning. Pre-made breakfast burritos, yogurt parfaits with granola and baked egg cups are all fast, healthy choices for the most important meal of the day. And of course, hearty muffins are a classic choice to pair with coffee or a smoothie on the go. Non-stick Metal Bakeware pans are great for cooking egg cups or muffins ahead of time, with easy release and minimal cleanup. Add a little hearty and sweet topping to your muffins for extra flavor and crunch.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Muffins with Brown Sugar Oat Crumble Shop: Muffin Pan
Bake Bread on the Weekends
On busy mornings when you crave a warm slice of homemade bread, you’ll thank yourself for planning ahead. Schedule time in the weekend to make a hearty loaf of bread, whether sweet or savory, that can be simply sliced and slathered with butter for those times you want comfort food in a hurry. Quick breads cooked in a stoneware Loaf Pan like Strawberry Banana Bread or Savory Fig Quick Bread are a great option when you have limited time. For more involved yeast breads, like a Sourdough Boule or an Apple Cinnamon Braid, the Le Creuset Bread Oven produces exceptional loaves that you can enjoy all week long.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan, Date and Walnut Bread Shop: Bread Oven