Breakfast Strata

Elevate your brunch game with this irresistible breakfast strata! 

Layers of crusty bread, savory sausage, and gooey cheese come together in one satisfying dish.

What I love most is that you can assemble everything the night before. Pop this beauty in the oven in the morning, and it’s ready. 

It’s ideal for lazy weekends, brunches, or holidays.

So grab a fork, pour yourself a mimosa, and savor this tasty breakfast casserole!

Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Strata

Make-Ahead: Assemble the strata the night before and simply bake it in the morning. It’s perfect for meal prepping!

Crowd-Pleaser: This overnight egg casserole looks impressive, tastes delicious, and feeds a crowd. 

Versatile: With a base of eggs, milk, and cheese, the customization options for add-ins are virtually endless!

Ingredients

• Cubed Crusty Bread: This is the foundation of the strata, providing structure and absorbing the savory egg custard. For the best results, use a hearty, day-old bread like sourdough or French bread.
  
• Breakfast Sausage: It adds savoriness and heartiness. 
  
• Onion and Garlic: A dynamic aromatic duo adds more depth.
  
• Spinach: To balance the richness of the other ingredients.
  
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar and Gruyere Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings bold flavor, and Gruyere offers nutty, melty goodness.
  
• Large Eggs: To create a luscious, custardy texture. 
  
• Whole Milk: It adds richness and creaminess to the egg mixture. Use whole milk for the best results.
  
• Seasonings: Dry mustard adds a subtle tang, while salt and pepper bring out the best in every ingredient.
  
• Fresh Parsley: It adds a vibrant, herby touch to help cut through all the richness.

How to Make a Breakfast Strata

Don’t let the stunning presentation fool you, this breakfast strata is SO easy to make. 

1. Prep. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly layer the bread cubes on the bottom of the dish.

2. Cook. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned and cooked through. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened. Stir in the spinach and cook until warmed through.

3. Layer. Spread the sausage mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar and all of the Gruyere cheese on top.

4. Whisk. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and sausage layers. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar on top.

5. Chill. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

6. Preheat. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Let the strata come to room temperature.

7. Bake. Bake the strata uncovered until golden brown and set in the center, about 60-70 minutes.

8. Serve. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with parsley and enjoy.

Tips For the Best Breakfast Strata

These nifty tips will turn your strata into a stunning breakfast centerpiece! 

• Texture is key. Soft sandwich breads can get too soggy. For the best results, use slightly stale bread.
  
• Dry it out. Is your bread too fresh? No problem! Simply slice it into pieces and let it dry out for a few hours or overnight. Doing this before assembly will allow the bread to absorb the egg custard without being too soggy.
  
• Swap the meat. Try other classics like ham or bacon. Just be sure the meat is cooked through before assembly. Vegetarian options work, too.
  
• Mix up the cheese. Sharp cheddar and Gruyere aren’t the only options! You can experiment with other melty cheeses like Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Swiss, Gouda, or Pepper Jack.
  
• Add some vegetable variety. Spinach is a popular addition, but you can customize with your favorite veggies. Try sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, kale, or asparagus.
  
• Give it a flavor boost. Add herbs, spices, or hot sauce to the egg mixture to amp up the flavor. Garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning are some ideas.

How to Store

Baked or unbaked, follow these tips to keep your strata fresh:

To Store: Place cooled strata in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For unbaked strata, assemble the casserole and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours before baking.

To Freeze: For unbaked strata, assemble the casserole, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. For baked strata, cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or baking as directed.

To Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat the entire casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Cover with foil while reheating to prevent over-browning.