Breakfast Strata
Make Ahead Breakfast Strata
Are you looking for a versatile and customizable strata recipe that can please various preferences, including vegetarians? Look no further than this easy strata recipe!
This dish is perfect for hosting overnight guests, as it can be prepared ahead of time and baked in the morning for a warm and hearty breakfast. And the best part is, you can switch up a lot of the different ingredients to suit your taste and dietary preferences. I love switching it up with endless strata options.
Strata is a baked egg dish perfect for entertaining. It's also endlessly customizable, so experiment with your favorite flavor combinations.
❤️ Why You'll Love Make Ahead Breakfast Strata
In the recipe, I share several strata breakfast strata recipe options using different meats, cheeses, and veggies. A great way to use up leftover veggies and bread. Speaking of bread, you can use leftover biscuits, English muffins, dinner rolls, sourdough, pita bread, really anything!
In the recipe I share several different strata options using different meats, cheeses and veggies.
In the recipe, I share several strata breakfast strata recipe options using different meats, cheeses, and veggies. A great way to use up leftover veggies and bread. Speaking of bread, you can use leftover biscuits, English muffins, dinner rolls, sourdough, pita bread, really anything!
🍲 Ingredients
Eggs - I use eight large eggs. That's about 1 1/2 cups of eggs if you're going to be using small or medium-sized eggs.
Milk & Half and Half - You can use any type of milk you have on hand.
Greens- They add freshness and nutrition. If you use arugula, it adds a bit of pepper flavor.
Bread: A good time to use up any leftover bread you have on hand: leftover bread torn into 1-inch pieces, such as English muffins, white or sourdough bread.
Cheese: Use a good melting cheese: shredded mild melting cheese such as Gruyere, provolone, goat cheese, or Gouda.
Veggies and Meats: chopped cooked vegetables, cooked bacon ham or sausage.
I👩🍳 How to Make Make Ahead Breakfast Strata
It's so easy to make, combine the ingredients, let sit overnight if you have time, and bake.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
Pro tip on the difference in egg labeling. Organic eggs come from hens that eat a natural diet and aren’t given unnecessary extras. Free-range eggs mean the hens get outdoor time, but how much varies. Cage-free eggs sound nice, but the birds are still indoors—just not in small spaces. Pasture-raised is the gold standard, with plenty of outdoor space to roam and snack. Bottom line? More outdoor time usually means happier birds and richer yolks!
This strata can be baked immediately or assembled the night before and refrigerated until baking the following morning.
If using hearty veggies like broccoli, microwave them first to be sure they will be completely cooed in the Strata.
Ovens vary. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake until the strata is puffed, golden brown at the edges and set in the center, about 15 minutes more.
🗒 Variations
Strata recipes for breakfast vary depending on the ingredients you use. A breakfast strata is the ultimate mix-and-match dish—you can swap ingredients based on what you have on hand or are craving. The key is a good balance of bread, eggs, and mix-ins, so every bite is flavorful! Here are three classic combos:
Ham, cheddar, and green onions – A timeless favorite with melty cheese and savory bites.
Spinach, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes – A Mediterranean twist with a little tang.
Sausage, peppers, and pepper jack – A bold, slightly spicy option with tons of flavor.
🗒 Substitutions
The most common bread in breakfast Strats recipes is a day-old artisan loaf or French bread. The day-old bread gives the Strata the classic texture. Similar to a bread pudding. But they are equally as great made with the following.
Croissants – Day-old, buttery and rich, perfect for a more indulgent texture.
Sourdough – Adds a little tang and holds up well to the egg mixture.
Bagels – Chewy and hearty, great for a denser bite.
Brioche – Slightly sweet and soft, ideal for a more delicate strata.
English muffins – Soak up the egg mixture while keeping some texture.
Cornbread – Adds a bit of sweetness and a crumbly texture.
Gluten-free bread – To make a gluten-free Strata, use gluten-free bread.
Leftover Crostini- Yes, I've even made it with leftover Crostini, and it was delicious! See below.
Best Brunch Menu
Strata
Ingredients
Instructions
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease a 1 1/2 quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, half-and-half, nutmeg, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl. Fold the greens, onion, meat, bread and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese into the mixture. Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake until the strata is puffed, golden brown at the edges and set in the center, about 15 minutes more. If you have an instant read thermometer, you will know it's done when it reaches 160 degrees F. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use a plant-based sausage or omit the meat altogether.
- This strata can be baked immediately or assembled the night before and refrigerated until baking the following morning. The baking time will be longer
- Recipe and photo by Food Network
Calories vary based on added ingredients.