New Year’s Day can start with a late breakfast and end with a warming family meal. Choose around the kind of day you want, whether that means a simple casserole or a pot of peas and greens.
These 17 ideas bring together Wellness Warrior dishes, black-eyed peas, Hoppin’ John, collard greens, pork and sauerkraut, breads and sides. Some connect with New Year’s food traditions; the rest are practical brunch and dinner choices, not claims of good luck.
Pick a main first, then add a bread, vegetable or fresh side as needed. Read the linked recipes for soaking, cooking and reheating times, since peas and slow-baked pork need more planning than a quick breakfast.
Brunch Dishes, Peas, Greens and Warming Mains
Keto Spinach Quiche
Spinach and a savory egg filling give New Year’s Day breakfast a change from sweet rolls. This lower-carb version belongs beside fruit or a small bread basket rather than needing an elaborate side dish.
Keto Cheesy Chorizo & Egg Casserole Recipe
Chorizo, eggs and cheese make a savory bake with a little spice. Choose it for guests who prefer a hearty breakfast, with fruit or a mild bread option alongside it.
Keto Cream Cheese Pancakes
These thin, tender pancakes use cream cheese in the batter. Cook them when you can stand at the stove and serve small batches warm.
Berry Cheesecake Keto French Toast Bake Recipe
Berries and a cream cheese filling dress up a pan of lower-carb French toast. The recipe calls for keto bread and sweetener, so use the source’s ingredients when planning for that style of breakfast.
Keto Cheesy Cauliflower and Ham Bake Recipe
Ham, cauliflower and several cheeses make a rich casserole that is easy to scoop into side-size portions. It can be a hearty contribution to a New Year’s Day buffet with lighter salads and vegetables nearby.
Keto Taco Casserole Recipe: A Flavorful, Low-Carb Comfort Dish
Ground beef, peppers, cauliflower rice and cheese make a savory casserole with taco seasoning. Bring toppings separately if you are using them, so guests can add a little heat or a cool garnish at the table.
Hoppin’ John
Black-eyed peas, ham and vegetables make a hearty Southern-style dish served with rice. It is a traditional New Year’s Day choice; plan time to prepare the dried peas as the recipe directs rather than treating it as a quick canned-bean meal. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Black Eyed Peas Recipe (with Ham)
Black-eyed peas simmer with a ham hock and savory vegetables. Serve this as a warming New Year’s Day bowl with greens or cornbread, allowing time for the recipe’s soaking and cooking method. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Collard Greens
Collard greens simmer with bacon, onion and broth until tender. They make a savory side for peas, ham or pork, with the full recipe guiding the long cooking time. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Pork and Sauerkraut Bake
Marbled pork chops bake over potatoes with sauerkraut, apples and onion. This is a hearty oven meal with a long cooking window, so choose it when you have time for the covered bake rather than a quick skillet dinner. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Buttery Cornbread
Cornmeal gives this bread a tender crumb and a familiar flavor beside savory holiday dishes. Cut the pan into squares for a bread basket or serve it alongside a bowl of saucy vegetables. Recipe and photo: Sally McKenney / Sally’s Baking.
Classic Bread Stuffing with Celery and Onion
Day-old bread, celery, onion and herbs make a traditional baked stuffing. It fills the bread-and-starch role beside a New Year’s Day roast, with optional additions left to the full recipe.
Easy Keto Garlic Bread Recipe – Low-Carb, Flavor-Packed Delight
A cheese-and-almond-flour dough makes this lower-carb garlic bread. Serve it in small pieces beside a roast or saucy main, with the full recipe guiding the dough and garlic topping.
Spinach Salad With Apple and Feta Recipe
Crisp apple, feta and walnuts give spinach a mix of sweet, salty and crunchy bites. A small amount of blueberries adds another fruit note, making this a fresh side for a rich New Year’s Day roast.
No Boil Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes cook in the slow cooker before being mashed with the creamy ingredients. This method can free stovetop space on New Year’s Day, but still needs the recipe’s cooking window and final mashing step. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Maple Glazed Carrots
Maple syrup, butter and a little cinnamon give carrot coins a glossy, sweet finish. Pair them with a simply seasoned green vegetable so the side dishes bring different flavors to the table. Recipe and photo: Stacie Vaughan / Simply Stacie.
Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes bake in a creamy onion-and-garlic sauce. These need a longer oven window than a quick vegetable side, so plan their baking time around the roast and other casseroles. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Choose a Menu That Fits the Day
A breakfast bake can cover a relaxed brunch, while peas, greens and cornbread make a different dinner direction. The full collection is not one meal plan; select the dishes that work together and fit the time you have.