Breakfast Strata

Breakfast Strata is a hearty baked casserole dish loaded with bread, eggs, ham, cheese, and veggies that will fill you up and keep you going until lunchtime.

This protein-rich and carb-loaded meal is easy to put together and can even be prepared the night before so all you have to do is pop it in the oven in the morning. It is filling, meaty, and cheesy - a holiday brunch comfort classic that can be enjoyed all year long!

Preparing breakfast for your family can be quite an ordeal. Aside from the mad rush to get your kids ready for school and putting yourself together for work, you also have to deal with deciding what to make that will make everyone happy without spending too much time in the kitchen. If this dilemma resonates with you, then this delicious Breakfast Strata is exactly what you need! It is quick and fuss-free, packed with breakfast essentials and so dang delicious - it will be the newest addition to your breakfast rotation for sure.

What is a Strata?

A strata is a classic American breakfast or brunch dish traditionally made from eggs, cheese, and bread layered in a casserole thus the name. However, different veggies and meats are also often added to make the dish more substantial. Once the bread has absorbed the egg mixture, it is then baked until firm and custard-like. It reminds me of our Quiche and Egg Muffin recipes - however, this breakfast casserole is made heartier with bread and more veggies mixed in.

Why You'll Love this Breakfast Strata

• Easy and fuss-free recipe. It will only take you 10 minutes to put everything together, and then it is just a matter of putting the egg and ham casserole in the fridge, then transferring it to the oven. The total time is more than an hour, but in reality, it is just a few minutes of work for you.
• Can be made ahead of time. You can assemble this breakfast strata in the baking pan the night before and keep it fresh in the fridge overnight. All that is left to do in the morning is to bake it! You'll have an hour to get all your morning tasks done and come back to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast!
• Perfect with day-old bread and leftovers. Do not throw away tough and dry bread that has been sitting on your counter for days. This breakfast casserole is the perfect recipe to use them. You can also rummage through your chiller for those half-forgotten vegetable cut-offs and use them here and use any leftover ham from a holiday dinner.
• A customizable recipe. Feel free to sub the type of bread, meat, cheese, and veggies to use based on what you have or what you like. I added some ideas on the ingredient notes below.
• Kid-friendly and healthy. This ham and egg breakfast recipe is also a great way to sneak veggies into your children's breakfast without them being the wiser. Just chop them into small pieces and add more cheese.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

To make this easy make ahead Breakfast Strata, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• bread - I like using crusty and chewy bread like French bread for this recipe because they absorb the milky egg mixture better without disintegrating. This will give you a chewier and fluffier Strata. Baguette, brioche, sourdough, challah, ciabatta, and boule are great options!  However, feel free to use any type of plain bread.
• vegetables - I used red bell pepper and green onions for this recipe. You can use other vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, onions, scallions, mushrooms, asparagus, basil,  tomatoes, kale, and parsley. If using any veggies with water content such as mushrooms, tomatoes, kale, and spinach, pre-cook them first otherwise the strata will be too soggy.
• meat - you can use ham or bacon (a great recipe to use up any leftover ham for!). For a lighter option, you can also use chicken or turkey shreds. For a vegetarian option, leave out the meat completely.
• Parmesan cheese - or any type of melty cheese to achieve the perfect gooey texture. Try cheddar, gouda, Gruyere, Fontina, Havarti, and Monterey Jack. You can also use crumbled goat or feta cheese.
• eggs - I used 10 large eggs in this recipe, so you will need to adjust the number if you are using smaller ones. If using small eggs, 15 small eggs should be equivalent.
• milk - this is mixed with the egg to make a creamier mixture and custard-like texture. I prefer using whole milk because it gives a thicker texture. Feel free to also use half-and-half as an alternative.
• Dijon mustard - this will give the dish a robust zesty taste with a hint of flavor! If you do not have this, you can use plain mustard or ground mustard, or leave it out completely.
• garlic powder
• salt and pepper

How to Make the Best Breakfast Strata

1. Add bottom layer of bread. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole pan with some oil or butter and arrange chopped bread evenly in the pan.
2. Add veggies, meat, and cheese. Spread the bell peppers, ham, and cheese evenly over the bread.

3. Make egg mixture. In a large mixing bowl, add eggs, milk, mustard, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk well until evenly combined.

4. Add egg mixture layer Pour the egg custard mixture evenly over the bread. Use a spatula to press down gently to ensure that all the bread pieces are soaked with the egg custard.
5. Rest. Cover the casserole pan with plastic cling wrap and set aside for at least 20 minutes. You can also store it in the fridge overnight until ready to bake, for an easy make ahead breakfast.
6. Bake. Preheat oven to 375F. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until golden brown on the edges and the egg mixture is completely set (or a knife inserted near the center comes out clean).

How to Serve Breakfast Strata

It is always better to enjoy a freshly baked strata straight out if the oven! Serve this filling breakfast casserole with a healthy smoothie such as:

• Strawberry Banana Smoothie
• Healthy Mango Yogurt Smoothie
• Majoon (Banana and Date) Smoothie
• Healthy Apple Pie Fall Smoothie

This dish is also perfect for weekend brunch get-togethers served with Skillet Cinnamon Rolls, Cranberry Scones, and Butter Croissants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat cold breakfast strata in a 300F preheated oven for 10-20 minutes until warmed through and crispy on the edges (depending on how much you are reheating). You can also reheat in a 350F air fryer for 5-10 minutes until warm.

How to Freeze

Allow the breakfast strata to cool to room temperature, then wrap the strata in aluminum foil and then place in a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag (to prevent freezer burn) for up to 3 months. I recommend slicing the strata first and wrapping individual pieces for easy thawing and reheating. When ready to serve, that overnight in the fridge before reheating.

More Breakfast Recipes

• 50 Best Breakfast Ideas
• Egg and Potato Breakfast Casserole
• Vegetable Frittata
• Shakshuka
• Skillet Cinnamon Rolls
• French Toast

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