Cranberry Bagel Breakfast Casserole

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As soon as the holidays roll around, I start dreaming about breakfast casseroles. There’s something so cozy about waking up on a chilly morning to the smell of something warm baking in the oven especially when you did all the prep the night before. This Cranberry Bagel Breakfast Casserole has quickly become one of my favorite seasonal dishes.

It’s based on my Everything Bagel Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole recipe but with a holiday twist. This version swaps in sweet-tart homemade cranberry sauce for a pop of color and brightness that perfectly complements the savory bagel, melted cream cheese, and egg base. The result is a comforting, festive breakfast bake that’s part sweet, part savory, and completely satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for holiday mornings: You can assemble it the night before, then just bake it in the morning.
• Sweet + savory balance: The tangy cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with the creamy eggs and melty cream cheese.
• Crowd-pleasing: It’s a great option for brunches or family gatherings since it easily serves 6–8 people.
• A clever use for leftover cranberry sauce: If you have extra Cranberry Sauce from Thanksgiving dinner, this is a delicious way to reinvent it.

Ingredients

For the Casserole

• 4–5 cranberry or plain bagels, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup homemade cranberry sauce
• Optional: everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds for topping
• Optional: ½ cup chopped scallions or chives for topping
• Maple syrup for serving

How to Make Cranberry Bagel Breakfast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cut your bagels into bite-sized cubes and spread them evenly in the dish.

Step 2: Make the Egg Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Cut the cream cheese into small pieces and evenly distribute over the bagel cubes. Then dollop spoonfuls of the cranberry sauce across the top of the casserole. Again you want to try to evenly distribute spoonful’s of the sauce so each bite of casserole will have cream cheese or cranberry. Pour the egg mixture evenly over everything, pressing gently so the bagel pieces absorb the liquid and trying not to mix the cranberry sauce in.

Step 4: It’s Time To Bake

Bake for 50 minutes uncovered, until the top is golden and the center is set. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

If you’d like a softer, more custardy texture, you can stop after step 3, cover the assembled casserole and refrigerate overnight before baking in the morning.

How to Serve It

This casserole is perfect for holiday breakfasts or weekend brunch. I love serving with maple syrup and with optional extra cranberry sauce on the side. The sweetness of the maple syrup adds just the right amount of brightness to balance to the tart cranberries and richness of the eggs and cream cheese.I

If you are hosting a crowd for the holidays and want to pair this with classic side dishes, take a look at my comprehensive guide to planning a Vegetarian Southern Breakfast.

Leftovers reheat beautifully — just warm individual portions in the oven or microwave.

You can even get creative with how you use them:

• Add a drizzle of maple syrup for a slightly sweeter spin.
• Or top with a fried egg or crumbled vegetarian sausage for extra protein.
• Serve with dried cranberries for more chewy texture.

Variations

• Cheese Swap: Try brie or goat cheese for a creamy, tangy twist.
• Add a Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
• Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper or diced jalapeños for heat.
• Vegan Option: Use your favorite egg substitute, plant-based milk, and vegan cheese — and make sure your bagels are dairy-free.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

If you don’t already have cranberry sauce ready, here’s the recipe I use every year — it’s lower in sugar than most versions. My recipe for cranberry sauce is full of warm spices. It’s super easy to make and uses ginger ale and orange juice.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake in the morning straight from the fridge, adding about 10 extra minutes of bake time.
• Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Bake the casserole completely, cool, then freeze individual portions. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to eat.

A Holiday Brunch Favorite

This Cranberry Bagel Breakfast Casserole has become a holiday staple in my kitchen. It’s cozy and comforting but still has that little spark of something special thanks to the swirl of homemade cranberry sauce. Whether you’re hosting a big family breakfast or just treating yourself to something festive on a quiet weekend morning this dish delivers all the seasonal flavor you could want.

Serve it warm, pour a cup of coffee, and enjoy that perfect mix of sweet, savory, and just a hint of tart cranberry brightness.

Looking for More Brunch Ideas?

• Vegetarian Southern Breakfast: 20+ Meatless Comfort Food Classics – Looking to build a complete holiday morning spread around this casserole? Check out my ultimate guide to traditional, meatless Southern staples.
• Make-Ahead Southern Breakfast Casserole – A super convenient, savory egg bake packed with veggies and cheese that you can fully assemble the night before.
• Vegetarian Hash Brown Casserole – Rich, cheesy, and comforting breakfast potatoes with a crispy top that beautifully mimics Cracker Barrel classic menu item.
• Vegan Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits – Sweet, fluffy, icing-drizzled biscuits that offer the perfect sweet counter balance to a savory holiday casserole.
• Everything Bagel Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole The savory garlic and onion seasoned recipe that inspired this cranberry version. Perfect for weekend brunches!
• Feta and Spinach Breakfast Casserole – A bright Mediterranean inspired egg bake featuring tangy feta and fresh greens to lighten up your brunch table.