The holidays bring full hearts – and full homes. That means extra seats around the table. But holiday hosting isn’t just about the big meal; it extends to all the get-togethers that call for a special dish.

These tips from the Carnation Holiday Recipe Guide will help make all your holiday get-togethers even more special:

• Movie night in is cheaper than movie night out. Create a movie theater setting and check out a DVD from the library that the whole family will enjoy. Don’t forget to make a whole bunch of popcorn.

• Make leftover magic: don’t let any food go to waste. Use leftovers in new recipes or save them for a special leftover buffet at the end of the week.

• A casserole is an ideal make-ahead meal. The Sunrise Sausage Bake (recipe below) is full of family favorite flavors and can be made the night before. For an elegant yet easy breakfast or brunch dish, try a Pear Oven Pancake (recipe below). Loaded sweet pears and accented with cinnamon, it’s a winner that can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

Visit www.thecookingmilk.com for even more delicious recipes and tips on feeding your holiday houseful – and to get your free Carnation Holiday Recipe Guide.

Pear Oven Pancake

2 tablespoons butter, melted

½ cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

¼ teaspoon salt

1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk

3 large eggs

1 ripe pear, cored and thinly sliced

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 450º F. Pour melted butter into 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or cake pan. Swirl to coat bottom and sides of plate. Combine flour, ¼ cup sugar and salt in medium bowl. Whisk evaporated milk and eggs in another medium bowl until blended. Add to flour mixture; whisk for 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pie plate. Arrange pear slices on top of batter in pinwheel design, pushing down slightly. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Sprinkle top with sugar mixture. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm. Makes six servings.

Sunrise Sausage Bake

2 cans (12 fluid ounces each) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk

8 large eggs, beaten

1 pound precooked sausage links, cut into quarter-inch slices

2 cups (8-ounce package) shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup chopped red and/or green bell pepper

2 green onions (green parts only), sliced

½ teaspoon onion powder

¼teaspoon garlic powder

8 cups half-inch cubed Italian or French bread (about nine slices)

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 13x9-inch baking dish. Combine milk, eggs, sausage, cheese, red pepper, green onions, onion powder and garlic powder in large bowl. Add bread cubes, stirring gently to moisten bread. Pour mixture into baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until set. Serve warm. Makes 12 servings.

Tips: This bake can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. Substitute multi-grain bread for Italian or French bread.

– Courtesy of Jenny Harper, Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens