Breakfasts · 3 min read
Breakfast Strata
This easy breakfast strata recipe combines bacon, spinach, and cheese in a make-ahead egg casserole with a custard-like texture. Perfect for brunch! Get the recipe.
★ 5.0 (3)
This breakfast strata layers crusty bread with a creamy egg custard, smoky bacon, fresh spinach, and a blend of sharp white cheddar and Parmesan. Because the bread soaks overnight, the center becomes soft and custard-like while the top gets golden and crisp. You can put it together the night before and just bake it the next morning.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Overnight Casserole
- It's a make-ahead egg casserole that you assemble the night before, freeing up your morning.
- Smoky bacon, fresh spinach, and a blend of sharp cheddar and Parmesan create a savory, satisfying flavor.
- The bread soaks overnight, giving you a soft, custard-like center and a crispy, golden crust.
Key Ingredients for a Flavorful Breakfast Strata
- Bread: Day-old crusty bread is best because it absorbs the egg without turning mushy. Sourdough, French, or Italian work well. If using fresh, toast the cubes first.
- Cheese: Sharp white cheddar and Parmesan give the most flavor, but you can swap with Gruyere, fontina, or mozzarella. Grate your own for better melt.
- Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for the best smoky flavor. Save a tablespoon of the rendered fat to sauté the vegetables.
Recommended Tools for Breakfast Strata
- 9x13-inch baking dish for assembling and baking
- Large skillet to cook bacon and vegetables
- Medium bowl for whisking the egg mixture
- Tongs or fork for turning bacon
Tips for the Perfect Breakfast Strata
For the best custard-like texture, use day-old bread that's slightly dry, it absorbs the egg mixture without turning mushy. If you only have fresh bread, cube it and toast lightly first. After layering everything, press down gently so the bread fully soaks. Let the strata rest overnight in the fridge; even 30 minutes helps, but overnight makes a real difference. Before baking, let the dish sit at room temperature for 15 minutes so it bakes evenly. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the rest of the bake.
Expert Tips for a Custard-Like Texture
To tell when the strata is done, look for a deep golden brown top and a center that's set but still slightly jiggly, it should not be liquid. Let it rest for 10 minutes after baking; this allows the custard to firm up so you get clean slices. If the top browns before the center is set, loosely cover with foil and continue baking.
Breakfast Strata Variations to Try
You can easily adapt this breakfast strata to your tastes. Instead of bacon, try cooked sausage, diced ham, or prosciutto. If you'd like a vegetarian version, skip the meat and increase the spinach or add mushrooms, bell peppers, or artichokes, just sauté the veggies first to release moisture. The cheese is flexible too: Gruyere, fontina, mozzarella, Swiss, feta, or Monterey Jack all work well. Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary add a nice finish.
What to Serve with Breakfast Strata
This breakfast strata is hearty on its own, but it pairs nicely with fresh fruit or a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness. For a bigger brunch spread, add roasted potatoes or a side of roasted tomatoes. A glass of orange juice or a mimosa wouldn't hurt either.
How to Store Leftover Breakfast Strata
Store leftover strata in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap or foil, or place in an airtight container.
Source recipe: Breakfast Strata (SnapChef ID 098c9ab7-27b0-4ab7-addd-a0a5220d47e2). Nutrition is estimated per serving.
Ingredients
Directions
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Lay the bacon strips flat in the skillet. It’s okay if the slices overlap slightly, but try not to crowd the pan too much, as the bacon will shrink as it cooks. Cook until slightly crispy, turning occasionally with tongs or a fork. Use tongs to remove it from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but about 1 tablespoon of the grease from the skillet. Let the bacon cool to room temperature and then chop into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
- Heat the skillet with the remaining bacon grease over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until mostly wilted. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from heat and stir in the bacon pieces.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Spread half of the bread cubes evenly into bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with half of the spinach bacon mixture. Sprinkle half of the cheese on top.
- Repeat this same layering process with bread, spinach bacon mixture, and cheese.
- Give the egg mixture a quick whisk and evenly pour over the strata. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Gently press down with your hands across to submerge ingredients into the egg mixture.
- Cover the strata and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, take the dish out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the strata uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, or until golden brown. If the top is getting too brown, you can loosely cover it with foil and continue baking. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Tap a step number to check it off as you cook.
Nutrition Facts per serving · estimated
Amount per serving
% Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet (FDA).
Good to know
Questions, answered
Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread?
Day-old bread works best because it absorbs the egg mixture without getting soggy. If you only have fresh bread, cube it and toast the pieces lightly before using them.
How long does the strata need to refrigerate?
Refrigerate overnight for the best texture. In a pinch, 30 minutes will do, but the bread won't absorb as much custard, and the flavor may not develop as deeply.
Can I make this strata vegetarian?
Absolutely. Omit the bacon and increase the spinach or add other sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or artichokes. The rest of the recipe stays the same.
What other cheeses can I use?
Sharp white cheddar and Parmesan are great, but you can substitute Gruyere, fontina, mozzarella, Swiss, feta, or Monterey Jack. For more flavor, use a stronger cheese.
