Strata Recipe (Overnight Breakfast Casserole) (2024)

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Fluffy Strata Recipe (Overnight Breakfast Casserole) – This easy make-ahead holiday breakfast is super quick to prep, then pop in the oven the next morning! It’s sure to become your go-to “special occasion” breakfast.

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Overnight Breakfast Casserole

No one wants to wake up an hour early on a holiday weekend to chop and prepare breakfast.

However, most of us would agree, a rich comforting breakfast makes every occasion seem special!

That’s why I love overnight breakfast casseroles. These easy breakfast bakes are meant to be assembled the night before a holiday or event.

I always make an overnight casserole for special occasions like:

  • Christmas
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Easter
  • Kid’s slumber parties
  • When friends or family come in town

That way, I can sleep a little longer, pop the casserole dish in the oven, and casually sip my coffee as it bakes.

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Strata Recipe… The Ultimate Breakfast Bake

There are all sorts of sweet and savory breakfast casseroles you can make ahead and bake in the morning. (We’ve listed links to our favorites below!)

Yet a classic Strata Recipe is my personal favorite breakfast bake. Why?

  • I generally prefer savory over sweet breakfasts.
  • Stratas are SO quick to put together.
  • They look extremely appealing with their crisp golden craggy top.
  • You can put almost anything you like in a Strata.
  • And best of all, the pillowy texture of each bite is ridiculously divine!

The crusty top and tender airy interior are created by adding one single ingredient… Bread.

Bread is used as a spongy base to absorb the eggs and dairy. When the Strata bakes, the bread stabilizes the eggs so they can rise into a souffle-like casserole that toasts brilliantly on the top.

A strata is truly a thing of beauty!

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Overnight Strata

You’re wondering… Does a Strata Recipe have to set overnight? If you want to make one for dinner, do you have to start it in the morning?

HOW LONG DOES A STRATA NEED TO SOAK?

You do need to allow some time for the bread to soak up the eggs.

The bread should be fully saturated with liquid. This is faster when the bread is fresh. However, if you are repurposing a day-old (stale) loaf of bread, that is perfectly fine, but the Strata will need longer to soak.

As a general rule, you should allow the Strata to rest for at least one hour before baking.

But, of course, it can rest for up to 18 hours, so it’s the perfect overnight breakfast casserole to make the night before a big family event!

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What Is Strata Made Of?

This savory bread pudding must have these 5 ingredients: Eggs, milk, bread, and salt.

However, to make an ultra-luxurious and flavor-packed Strata Breakfast Bake we’ve included a few more things in our recipe:

  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Smoked Gouda Cheese
  • Deli Ham
  • Scallions
  • Roasted Red Peppers
  • Ground Mustard
  • Garlic Powder
  • French Bread

The blend of these two cheeses creates an intriguing richness that is balanced by the zesty notes of the scallions and roasted red peppers.

The ham can be swapped for cooked bacon or sausage, or omitted for a vegetarian strata recipe.

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How To Make Breakfast Strata (Overnight Breakfast Casserole)

It’s so easy, guys. You simply mix, fold, chill, and bake!

  1. Mix – Mix everything, except the bread, in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Fold – Fold the egg mixture into torn-up chunks of bread.
  3. Chill – Cover and chill until ready to bake.
  4. Bake – Bake for 50+ minutes, until puffy and golden.

Get the Full (Printable) Strata Overnight Breakfast Casserole Recipe + Video Below!

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Breakfast Strata Swaps & Add-Ins

Of course, I’m sharing my favorite Strata variation. I feel these ingredients together produce a lovely balance of savory richness and perky notes.

However, feel free to experiment with your favorite add-ins. Here are some ideas…

  1. Meat: Ham, cooked bacon, turkey bacon, Italian sausage, cooked breakfast sausage, prosciutto, pancetta, or chorizo.
  2. Cheese: Cheddar, gouda, muenster, swiss, fontina, pecorino, pepper jack, feta, chevre, or even cream cheese.
  3. Veggies: Scallions, roasted red peppers, sauteed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, roast garlic, asparagus tips, spinach, or kale. (Just make sure whatever you add isn’t going to release too much extra moisture into the Strata.)
  4. Herbs & Spices: Ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, cracked black pepper, ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, rosemary, or basil.
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What is the Difference Between a Frittata and a Strata?

These two egg recipes are actually quite different.

A Frittata is an Italian-style omelet that is started on the stovetop and usually finished in the oven. The eggs are vigorously swirled around the pan to form an eggy crust on the bottom, before the fillings are added in.

A Strata is a slow-baked egg casserole that always includes bread to stabilize the eggs as they bake.

Frittatas are usually thin and dense, while a Strata is tall and fluffy.

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What Do You Serve with Overnight Breakfast Casserole?

For brunch, a Strata can be served with…

  • Light Chopped Salad
  • Tropical Fruit Salad
  • Fluffy Biscuits
  • Scones

For breakfast, a side of fresh-cut fruit and a fun beverage will do! We love…

  • Hawaiian POG
  • Agua Fresca
  • Simple Strawberry Smoothies
  • Jugo Verde
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Frequently Asked Questions

How well does this recipe last?

This Strata Recipe makes a marvelous leftover meal! Once baked, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.

You can also wrap and freeze this overnight breakfast casserole for up to 3 months. Then thaw and reheat.

Can I use any other bread besides French bread?

Yes, any bread type will work with this ham and cheese strata recipe. You could even use a gluten free loaf if that is what your dietary restrictions allow!

Can I make a vegetarian strata?

Definitely! To make a vegetarian strata, you can simply leave out the ham in this recipe. Feel free to add any additional ingredients such as spinach or mushrooms!

More Breakfast Recipes You Can Make-Ahead

  • Better Than Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
  • Tiramisu French Toast Bake
  • Spinach Artichoke Egg Casserole
  • Greek Omelette Casserole
  • Arnold Palmer Sweet Rolls
  • Raspberry Sticky Buns
  • 5-Ingredient Baked Omelet

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Print Recipe

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Fluffy Strata Recipe (Overnight Breakfast Casserole)

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Overnight Breakfast Strata Recipe: This easy make-ahead holiday breakfast is super quick to prep, then pop in the oven the next morning!

Servings: 12

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 12 large eggs
  • 3 cups whole milk (or half & half)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (off the block)
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese (off the block)
  • 1 cup chopped deli ham
  • 1 cup chopped scallions
  • 3/4 cup chopped roasted red pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 12 ounce loaf french bread

Instructions

  • Set out a large mixing bowl and a 9X13 inch (3 quart) baking dish. Grease the baking dish. Chop all necessary ingredients.

  • In the mixing bowl, add the eggs, milk, salt, ground mustard, and garlic powder. Whisk well to break up all the yolks. Then stir in the cheeses, ham, scallions, and roasted red pepper.

  • Tear the bread loaf into 1-2 inch chunks and place them in the baking dish.

  • Pour the egg mixture over the top of the bread. Use a spatula to fold the bread over, gently, to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Cover and chill until ready to bake.

  • Let the strata recipe rest for at least one hour, so the bread soaks up all the eggs. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (This is a fabulous make-ahead overnight recipe, so you can also preheat the oven in the morning.)

  • Bake, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes, until the top is golden-brown and puffy in the center. Insert a sharp knife into the center to check that the eggs are set. If not, bake another 5-10 minutes. Then cool for 5 minutes before cutting. Serve warm!

Video

Notes

This Strata Recipe make a marvelous leftover meal! Once baked, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.

You can also wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. Then thaw and reheat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece, Calories: 356kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 262mg, Sodium: 982mg, Potassium: 281mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 814IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 398mg, Iron: 2mg

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

Strata Recipe (Overnight Breakfast Casserole) (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a breakfast casserole and a strata? ›

What's the difference between strata and casserole? Stratas are essentially breakfast casseroles made of eggs and bread. Stratas are often prepared the night before they are baked and served in oven-safe casserole dishes, similar to casseroles.

How far in advance can you prep strata? ›

Pro-Tip: The strata can be prepared and baked up to two days in advance and reheated the morning of. To reheat the Make Ahead Breakfast Strata, remove it from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven preheats to 375 F.

Can strata be served at room temperature? ›

MAKE AHEAD: Strata improves when there is plenty of time for the bread to soak up the custard. Make this up to 12 hours ahead of baking. The strata will emerge from the oven puffed and gorgeous, then deflate. It can be served piping hot or at room temperature.

Why do you have to refrigerate breakfast casserole overnight? ›

The casserole is covered and refrigerated overnight to allow the liquid ingredients to be absorbed into the bread. This is a perishable mixture and should be cooked the morning or day after assembly. Bake in an oven set no lower than 325 °F. Most recipes suggest 350 °F.

Why is my strata soggy? ›

(Just don't skip the sautéing. It's crucial because it cooks out excess liquid, which prevents the strata from becoming soggy.)

What country did strata originate from? ›

How long can strata stay in the refrigerator? ›

This Strata Recipe makes a marvelous leftover meal! Once baked, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also wrap and freeze this overnight breakfast casserole for up to 3 months. Then thaw and reheat.

What does the word "strata" mean in culinary? ›

stra·​ta ˈstrā-tə ˈstra- plural stratas also strata. : a dish that is made up of layers of bread, cheese, and meat or vegetables over which a mixture of eggs and milk is poured and that is usually refrigerated before it is baked. a ham and cheese strata.

Can you eat strata Cold? ›

Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until heated through. Cover dish with foil while reheating in oven. By the way – once it's fully baked, you can eat pieces cold too – so good!

Can you freeze a strata before baking? ›

Unfortunately as the strata contains what is effectively a savoury egg custard it does not freeze well either before or after baking. However you could probably assemble it up to 48 hours before it is needed, if this helps with your planning a little.

What's the difference between a strata and a frittata? ›

An egg custard prepared without this crust is also known as a frittata. A strata, on the other hand, is an egg custard that's baked with layers of bread inside.

What can strata contain? ›

Strata is a family of layered casserole dishes in American cuisine. The most common modern variant is a brunch dish, made from a mixture which mainly consists of bread, eggs and cheese. It may also include meat or vegetables.

Why is my breakfast casserole runny? ›

Why Is My Breakfast Casserole Runny? The key to a breakfast casserole that is moist and delicious but not runny is to make sure you have the proper ratio of bread, eggs, and milk. If there is too much liquid for the bread to absorb, the result could be a runny casserole.

Can you eat an egg casserole that was left out overnight? ›

Cooked eggs and egg dishes may be refrigerated for serving later but should be thoroughly reheated to 165° F before serving. Never leave cooked eggs or egg dishes out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours or for more than 1 hour when temperatures are above 90° F.

Is it better to freeze a breakfast casserole cooked or uncooked? ›

Should I freeze casseroles before they are baked or after baking? Both! You can actually do either, but follow these tips: Be sure you cool the casserole before freezing.

What is a strata? ›

Strata is a family of layered casserole dishes in American cuisine. Breakfast strata. The most common modern variant is a brunch dish, made from a mixture which mainly consists of bread, eggs and cheese.

What does strata mean in food? ›

Layered with spinach, cheese, and bread, and soaked in a savory custard, this make-ahead strata is ideal for entertaining. A strata is a layered casserole made with bread, eggs, cheese, and sometimes vegetables or meat (strata means layers).

What's the difference between a quiche and a breakfast casserole? ›

Egg Casserole

They are heartier than a quiche, leaning more towards a strata in texture. If you are dairy-free, you can use almond, cashew, coconut, hemp, rice, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk you prefer.

What is the difference between a strata and a quiche? ›

A quiche is baked in a flaky pie crust-style pastry shell. An egg custard prepared without this crust is also known as a frittata. A strata, on the other hand, is an egg custard that's baked with layers of bread inside.

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