Description
This Breakfast Strata is a hearty and flavorful baked casserole perfect for a make-ahead breakfast or brunch. Packed with layers of rustic bread, savory ham or bacon, sweet bell peppers, sharp Parmesan cheese, and a rich custard of eggs and milk, it’s both comforting and easy to prepare. Ideal for feeding a crowd, it can be assembled the night before and baked fresh in the morning, delivering a golden, fluffy, and satisfying dish with minimal morning effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Strata Base
- 1 large (12 ounce) loaf French bread or any plain bread, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cooked ham or bacon, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
Egg Custard Mixture
- 10 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup fresh green onions, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole pan with oil or butter to prevent sticking, then evenly arrange the chopped bread pieces in the pan to form the strata base.
- Add toppings: Spread the diced red bell pepper, finely chopped ham or bacon, and shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over the bread layer to distribute the flavors uniformly.
- Make the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, Dijon mustard, chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine strata and custard: Pour the egg custard mixture evenly over the bread and toppings in the pan. Use a spatula to gently press down the bread so that all pieces absorb the custard thoroughly.
- Let soak: Cover the casserole pan with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the liquid. For a make-ahead option, refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bake the strata: Place the casserole pan into the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Bake until the edges are golden brown and the egg mixture is fully set; a knife inserted near the center should come out clean.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat slices in a preheated oven at 300°F for 10-20 minutes until warmed through and crispy on the edges, or use a 350°F air fryer for 5-10 minutes.
- Freezing: Cool the strata to room temperature, then wrap tightly in aluminum foil and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Slice before freezing for easier thawing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 240 mg
