Recipes That Will Seriously Upgrade Your Weekend Brunch

Once the weekend rolls around, you're probably looking forward to relaxing more than you are spending time in the kitchen. But even if you're not the best cook in the world, preparing a tasty brunch is one of the easiest things you can do — and it's not only better for your wallet, but also likely better for your health.

If you love breakfast foods — and you might be better off for doing so — then you probably know that brunch is the best way to have a good time with friends — or the sweetest treat to give yourself on a day off.  And that'll be especially true when you take a look at our collection of amazing brunch recipes.

These ideas are mostly quick and easy to throw together, but they will give your brunch the touch of sophistication you're going for. Instead of just your basic bacon, eggs, and fruit salad, you can use these classy recipes to truly impress your guests, or to just pat yourself on the back for a cooking job well done. And the best thing is that you can adapt these delicious dishes to your taste, or to the tastes of a celebrated loved one or friend. Now, let's get to these recipes so you can throw the best brunch you've ever had.

Quiche Lorraine is a classic brunch treat

If you want to cook up a brunch dish that's just as easy as it is impressive, this quiche Lorraine recipe is as good as it gets. A quiche is basically an egg pie, and you can fill it with whatever you would normally put in an omelet. For this version, recipe developer Tara Rylie used traditional bacon and cheese before adding in a variety of spices, including one that might surprise you (it's nutmeg — so don't skip it!). Oh, and don't forget to finish this quiche Lorraine off with a sprinkle of chives for a fresh look and delightful flavor.

Asparagus tart for an easy brunch upgrade

Sometimes, you just can't be bothered with cooking elaborate dishes and sorting through too many ingredients to make them. When that happens, a simple, hearty and satisfying main dish will have to do. And our asparagus tart is just that kind of treat — you won't believe how easy this recipe is to throw together. In fact, it's so easy that you'll only need four ingredients: Pick up some asparagus, puff pastry, Boursin cheese, and thyme, and you'll be ready to go for a brunch treat great for special occasions or for just treating yourself. And don't forget to take pictures once you're done, because this tart is so pretty you won't want to forget it.

Beignets are a sweet and fluffy brunch delight

Think you have to go all the way to New Orleans to get some good beignets? Think again. You can make this classic pastry in the comfort of your own home. 

Now, let's get real. Is this the easiest recipe in the world? No. But is it something you can pull off even if you're not an experienced baker? Absolutely. These pastries are deep-fried, which can result in some splattering in your kitchen (and here's some tips for how to deep fry correctly), but at the end of the day, it'll all be worth it when you take a bite of these warm and satisfying little treats.

5-minute chaffles are a low-carb brunch must-have

Never heard of a chaffle before? You're not alone. However, if you follow the keto diet or any other eating plan that involves cutting back on carbs, you may have seen one before. Basically, it's a waffle-like dish that's made with cheese as the base ingredient. Sound indulgent? It absolutely is. Therefore, many people like to eat it when they're dieting but still want something delicious.

Luckily, chaffles are really easy to make, especially when you follow our recipe. In fact, they're so easy to make that you can whip one up in just five minutes. Of course, you'll need a waffle iron, but once you have that, you can make chaffles any time you want.

Belgian waffles are everyone's brunch fave

Of course, a chaffle isn't going to cut it for everyone. Sometimes, people just want their normal, carb-filled waffles, and we totally support them. That's why, in addition to our chaffle recipe, we've also featured a recipe for Belgian waffles. If you've ever been to Belgium, you know that their waffles are truly on a whole different level. They're super sweet and sticky, and they're a common dessert. Now, you can try to make them yourself. In just 15 minutes, you could have a stack of Belgian waffles to share with the whole table.

Quick homemade crepes for some joie de vivre at brunch

Making crepes may sound intimidating if it's not something you do on a regular basis. After all, crepes have a fancier reputation than pancakes and omelets. But don't be intimidated — they're actually much easier to make than you might think. This recipe for quick crepes requires just 20 minutes of your time. Even better than that, you'll only need five ingredients, and there's a good chance that you already have them all on hand. Pair your crepes with whatever toppings you like. Our suggestion? Fruit and a drizzle of something sweet.

British scones are a great way to mix up homemade brunch

You need to have some kind of bread or pastry at your brunch, right? If you're tired of the stuff that comes in a bag from your local bakery, or if you just want to avoid those long lines, our simple yet tasty recipe for British scones is here to save the day. The best part about this recipe is the fact that it's easy to customize to your liking. Since these scones are plain, you can add whatever you want to the mix to jazz them up, whether that's lemon zest or cranberries or your favorite type of chocolate chip. One thing is for sure: All your guests are going to love these treats.

Sausage breakfast casserole for when brunch needs to be hearty

Maybe it's the weekend and you just want to take it easy, but you also want to have a hearty brunch to fill you up for the afternoon. If warm and satisfying is your vibe, then this sausage breakfast casserole may just be what you're looking for. It's really easy to make, because everything cooks together in one casserole dish. This breakfast casserole features eggs, sausage, veggies, and cheese, and it's topped off with sliced green onions for that slight kick. Just prep the ingredients and pop it in the oven, and in 40 minutes, you'll have the perfect brunch all ready to go.

Pancakes are a brunch go-to everyone can get behind

Every once in a while, you just have to keep things simple. Sure, you could try to make some of the impressive recipes above, but what if you just want a classic? That's exactly when you should turn to this recipe for pancakes.

It may seem pretty basic, but these are going to be some of the best pancakes you've ever tried. And once you figure it out, you can add pretty much anything to the batter to make it even better. We love blueberries or chocolate chips, but don't be afraid to get creative here.

Corned beef hash for creating homey brunch memories

Want something that's on the heartier side? Something that you may not think of to make for brunch right away? If something warm and hearty for brunch sounds like it's right up your alley, you should definitely try making this corned beef hash. Beans, potatoes, and corned beef come together to make a truly memorable dish that's perfect for homemade brunch. And when you put an egg on top, it's about as good as it can be. It'll take about an hour to cook, but you can easily make a big batch and save the leftovers for the whole weekend.

Easy sheet pan fried eggs for when brunch is a crowd

If you have guests coming over for brunch and you're planning on making eggs, you may be a bit panicked. How are you going to cook those up for everyone at once? And are you going to have to be at the stove cooking while everyone else is eating? If you want to make things easier on yourself, try this recipe for sheet pan fried eggs. We love this method because it opens up your skillet, so you can cook something else at the same time. Plus, it may be the easiest way to batch cook a ton of eggs all at once.