This Easy Breakfast Strata is a classic make-ahead dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. With layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and your favorite breakfast ingredients, it’s a warm and satisfying meal that works beautifully for brunches, holidays, or weekend mornings. You can prepare it the night before, refrigerate it overnight, and simply bake it in the morning — making it one of the easiest and most comforting breakfast recipes you’ll ever make.

What Is a Breakfast Strata?

A breakfast strata is a baked egg casserole that’s similar to a savory bread pudding. It’s made with layers of cubed bread, eggs, milk, cheese, and often sausage, ham, or vegetables. The bread absorbs the egg mixture overnight, giving the casserole a soft, fluffy texture inside and a golden, crispy top when baked.

Easy Breakfast Strata recipe — Breakfast Strata

Other Popular Easy Breakfast Recipes

Reasons to Try Breakfast Strata

Make-ahead convenience – Assemble it the night before and bake in the morning.
Perfect for gatherings – Serves a crowd with minimal effort.
Customizable recipe – Works with various cheeses, meats, and veggies.
Balanced and filling – A good mix of protein, carbs, and flavor.
Ideal for holidays – Great for Christmas breakfast, Easter brunch, or family weekends.

Ingredients Needed to Make Breakfast Strata

8 cups cubed day-old bread (French, sourdough, or sandwich bread)
1 pound breakfast sausage, ham, or bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
8 large eggs
2 ½ cups milk (whole or 2%)
½ cup heavy cream (optional for creaminess)
1 small onion, diced
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dry mustard or garlic powder
1 tablespoon butter for greasing the baking dish
Fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions to Prepare Breakfast Strata

Step 1: Prepare the dish

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 2: Cook the filling

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage (or bacon/ham) until browned. Add onion and bell pepper; cook until softened. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Layer the bread and fillings

Place half the bread cubes in the prepared dish. Spread half of the sausage mixture and cheese on top. Repeat the layers with the remaining bread, sausage, and cheese.

Step 4: Mix the egg custard

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, salt, pepper, and mustard powder until smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the layered bread. Gently press down with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.

Step 5: Refrigerate

Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best texture.

Step 6: Bake the strata

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and set.

Step 7: Cool and serve

Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and serve warm.

What Goes Well With Breakfast Strata

Fresh fruit salad – Adds lightness and freshness to balance the richness.
Crispy hash browns – A classic side that complements the eggs perfectly.
Green salad – Ideal for a brunch spread.
Muffins or scones – Great for serving with coffee.
Hot coffee or orange juice – Simple beverages that pair perfectly.

Key Tips for Making Breakfast Strata

Use day-old bread – It soaks up the custard better than fresh bread.
Let it rest overnight – Enhances flavor and ensures a fluffy texture.
Don’t skip the cover – Keeps moisture in while baking evenly.
Add veggies for color – Spinach, tomatoes, or mushrooms work beautifully.
Mix cheese varieties – A blend of cheddar and mozzarella creates a great texture.
Let it cool slightly – Makes slicing and serving easier.

Creative Variations of Breakfast Strata

Vegetarian strata – Use mushrooms, spinach, and peppers instead of meat.
Mediterranean twist – Add feta, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Southwestern version – Include chorizo, green chilies, and pepper jack cheese.
Cheesy broccoli strata – Mix steamed broccoli and cheddar for extra comfort.
Mini versions – Bake in muffin tins for individual servings.

Storage Guidelines for Breakfast Strata

Refrigerate leftovers – Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze portions – Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Cool before storing – Helps maintain texture and prevents condensation.
Label the date – Keeps track of freshness.

Reheating Tips for Breakfast Strata

Oven method – Reheat covered at 325°F (160°C) for 15–20 minutes until warm.
Microwave method – Heat individual slices for 1–2 minutes.
From frozen – Thaw overnight and reheat as above for best results.

Nutritional Value (per serving):

Calories: ~350
Protein: 22 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fat: 21 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: 620 mg

FAQs

Can I make breakfast strata the night before?

Yes, breakfast strata is perfect for preparing ahead. Assemble all the layers, pour over the egg mixture, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, making the texture softer and more flavorful when baked the next morning.

How do you keep breakfast strata from being soggy?

To prevent sogginess, use day-old or lightly toasted bread so it holds up well after soaking. Make sure to drain any cooked vegetables or meats to remove excess moisture, and bake until the center is just set but not runny.

Can I use different types of bread in a breakfast strata?

Absolutely. You can use French bread, sourdough, brioche, or even croissants for extra richness. The key is to use a sturdy bread that can absorb the egg mixture without falling apart.

How long should breakfast strata rest before serving?

Let the baked strata rest for 10–15 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps it firm up and makes slicing easier while allowing the flavors to settle beautifully.

Final Words

This Easy Breakfast Strata is a true crowd-pleaser that combines the comfort of eggs, cheese, and bread into a delicious, make-ahead casserole. It’s simple enough for everyday mornings yet elegant enough for holidays and brunches. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a favorite in so many homes — hearty, flavorful, and perfect for sharing.