Easy 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.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 55
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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8 cups cubed day-old bread (French, sourdough, or sandwich bread)
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1 pound breakfast sausage, ham, or bacon, cooked and crumbled
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2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
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8 large eggs
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2 ½ cups milk (whole or 2%)
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½ cup heavy cream (optional for creaminess)
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1 small onion, diced
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1 bell pepper, chopped
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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½ teaspoon dry mustard or garlic powder
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1 tablespoon butter for greasing the baking dish
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Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
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.
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.
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.
Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best texture.
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.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and serve warm.
Find it online: https://gordonramsayeats.com/breakfast-strata/