The essence of a breakfast strata is eggs, milk, cheese and bread. The personality comes from great fillings – choose the ones you like. Assemble the night before. Pop it in the oven the next day for a great comfort food dish.
A strata is perfect entertaining fare for breakfast, brunch or lunch. This is a simple ‘make it your own’ breakfast strata recipe. You can stick to the basic core ingredients and serve it with a topping or you can choose a few fillings that will suit your guests, what you have on hand or how easy you want to make it on yourself. Even the basic ingredients can be varied such as the bread, milk/cream and cheeses.
Benefits for entertaining: The biggest benefit of this strata recipe is being able to assemble the whole thing the day before, allowing you to concentrate on other tasks for your breakfast or lunch the next day. The other plus is being able to divide the basic mixture with different fillings into two different casseroles to cater to different tastes. I did this the other day with my daughter (the other kook) who is a vegetarian and her husband who is not. The pictures below show the ingredients I used for both.
The recipes on the internet are very similar for breakfast strata. I scoured many of them for good tips to share along with the trick I discovered on my own (see shortcuts below). If you prefer a make ahead breakfast casserole that’s sweet instead of savory, try our Apple French Toast Casserole.
Tailor To Your Taste
Bread options: anything goes including using crusts or no crusts. I used Challah in the pictures you see. Most use a large Italian bread, but pumpernickel, french bread, brioche will also work well – even gluten free bread.
Cheese options: I used a Gruyere and Parmesan combination. Also try Cheddar, Fontina, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack. If you really love cheese, feel free to add more.
Liquid: use any combination of milk and cream (depending on the level of richness you like) – and any type of milk.
Fillings: caramelized or sauteed onions, spinach, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, bacon, ham, sausage. All fillings should be cooked except asparagus (which will have enough time to cook in the oven if not too thick) and green onions. Crumbled goat cheese can be added as well.
Seasonings: I used thyme, Dijon mustard. salt, pepper and a dash of nutmeg. You could also try paprika, a bit of hot sauce, rosemary, marjoram, dry mustard.
Toppings: If you just stick to a no-filling strata (almost like a savory bread pudding), you can use toppings to enhance the flavors such as a chutney or sour cream with chives.
Tips for Breakfast Strata
For 10-15 minutes less baking time, remove casseroles from fridge a let sit on counter for 20-30 minutes before baking.
You can skip the make-ahead step in the fridge and make the strata the same day. Just let the entire mixture sit for about 20-30 minutes before baking to allow time for the bread to absorb all the liquid.
The length of cooking depends on how thick the strata is in the pan. The strata is ready when it doesn’t jiggle in the center when you move it or when a toothpick comes out clean. Try not to overcook the strata or it will become dry.
Shortcuts
Use pre-grated cheeses.
Use fillings that don’t need to be cooked (e.g. asparagus, green onions) or that are pre-cooked like ham.
Process shortcut: Most recipes will tell you to layer the bread, cheese and fillings, then pour the egg-milk mixture on top, pushing things around to make sure everything is covered. My trick (I like to get from point A to point B the fastest way possible) is to combine the entire mixture in one bowl, then spoon it into the casserole dish. Much easier.
Make Ahead Breakfast Strata
See instructions in the recipe for make-ahead. See “tips” if you prefer to bake it right away.
Main/core ingredients
Filling options – sausage, mushrooms, onions, spinach to name a few
The essence of a breakfast strata is eggs, milk, cheese and bread. The personality comes from great fillings - choose the ones you like. Assemble the night before. Pop it in the oven the next day for a great comfort food dish.
Prep Time25mins
Cook Time45mins
Total Time1hr10mins
Course: Breakfast, brunch, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Author: Cheryl
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Ingredients
Core ingredients
8cupbread, any kind, cut into 1 inch cubes (3/4 large loaf, 11-12 slices, 12 ounces)
8large eggs (about 2 cups)
2 3/4cupmilk or half and half cream (or any combination of the two)
PREPARE PANS: Butter or spray with oil one 9x13 inch (3 quart) dish or two 8x8 (2 quart) pans.
PREPARE FILLINGS: Choose 2-3 options. For vegetarian strata, I use spinach, onions, mushrooms. For meat-based, I use sausage, onions, spinach. Spinach: Defrost and squeeze water out using hands or paper towels. Get as much water out as possible. Onions: Dice or process onion. Saute in 2 teaspoons oil on medium until translucent (or cook 25-30 minutes, stirring, to caramelize, adding 1/2 teaspoon sugar to speed up caramelization). Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Mushroooms: Saute in butter or oil for 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Sausage: Pan fry or grill until no longer pink. Cut into small pieces. Or remove from casings and saute ground sausage until cooked. Bacon: Fry or microwave. Or bake at 400F for 18-20 minutes. Crumble. Green Onionsor Ham: Chop. No need to cook.
PREPARE CORE INGREDIENTS: Cut bread (with or without crusts) into 1 inch cubes. Measure 8 cups packed. Place in large bowl. In separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and all seasonings. Grate cheeses.
ASSEMBLE AND REFRIGERATE: Add to large bowl with bread: the egg-milk-seasoning mixture; the vegetable filling; and cheeses (reserving 1/2 cup cheese to sprinkle on top). Mix lightly to combine well. Pour into prepared pan(s). Sprinkle on remaining cheese. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for an hour (or more) or overnight.
BAKE AND SERVE: Heat oven to 350F. Remove strata from fridge. Uncover and bake for 40-50 minutes until puffed and golden brown on top - and just until the centre doesn't jiggle when you shake the pan. Toothpick inserted in centre should come out clean. If using a slightly bigger pan, bake 5-10 minutes less as strata will be thinner. Serve warm. Garnish with sour cream if desired.
8
Notes
Make Ahead: Cooked strata can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. Strata can be frozen, covered, for up to 3 months. Defrost on the counter before baking. Nutrition Value estimates are for the basic strata without the fillings. The nutrition values for the fillings will depend on which you choose.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Breakfast Strata (with great fillings)
Amount Per Serving (8 g)
Calories 387Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 203mg68%
Sodium 1049mg46%
Potassium 309mg9%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 609IU12%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 523mg52%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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8g
This recipe was inspired by Epicurious, Once Upon a Chef and The Chunky Chef.
Here are a few other breakfast/brunch recipes you might enjoy
Baked French Toast Casserole (Sinful)
Make ahead is key when it comes to brunch as you don't want to be waking up at the crack of dawn to start cooking. This sinful Baked French Toast Casserole can be made the night before and will have your guests begging for seconds. Ooey, gooey and so delicious. No need for maple syrup 🙂
Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos with Caramelized Onions Recipe
Nutritious make-ahead breakfast burritos are perfect for new parents or a meal on the go. Caramelized onions add amazing flavour to egg and other fillings.
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