Strata Recipe Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Ham & Cheese with Leftover Bread Onions Eggs Cream Veggies & Spices

May 9, 2009 Donna Diegel

Italian bread with bacon, veggies and cheese, the strata is soaked overnight in egg-cream mixture. Brunch casserole is baked in the oven the next morning to feed a crowd.

Much like Overnight French Toast, this breakfast casserole is easy to make and even easier to eat. It'll be the hit of the next brunch or potluck dinner!

What is Strata?

A strata is an overnight casserole that is usually made of leftover bread soaked in cream or milk and eggs, and left overnight to soften. Just pop it in the oven the next morning, and an hour later it'll be ready to serve to a small army. A very inexpensive dish, the most costly item in the recipe will probably be the bacon and cheese.

Strata is very versatile, and can be made to suit the needs of the diner. Vegetarian strata can be made without the meat. Don't like cheddar cheese? Substitute Swiss cheese. Low fat diet? Use 1% milk instead of cream. Because of all the bread, it is also quite filling, making it an ideal brunch menu item.

Ham & Cheese Strata Recipe

• 1 large (20 ounce) loaf Italian or French bread, cubed
• 1 cup cooked ham, cubed, or 8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon minced garlic, or 1 garlic clove
• 1 cup assorted veggies; mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, red peppers, etc, sauteed or steamed until al dente, optional
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 3 1/2 cups light cream, half & half or low fat milk
• 12 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2-3 Tablespoons spicy grain prepared mustard
• 2 cups total shredded cheese; combination of cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, Monterey Jack, etc
• Sprinkle of Mrs. Dash or similar herb seasoning

How To Make Strata Breakfast Casserole

1. Spray a 9" X 13" baking dish with vegetable spray. Set aside.
2. Cook ham or bacon until done. Drain on paper towels.
3. Saute the onion and garlic together in butter.
4. If using veggies, saute or steam until desired doneness.
5. Place half the cubed bread in the prepared baking dish.
6. In a large mixing bowl, whisk or beat cream, half & half or milk, eggs, salt, nutmeg, pepper and mustard until foamy and blended well. Remove from mixer and add cheese.
7. Layer half the onions, veggies if using them and bacon or ham on top of the bread.
8. Pour half the milk and egg mixture over the bread. Repeat with another layer of bread and all the toppings, finishing off with the remaining milk and egg mixture.
9. Press the mixture down with clean hands until all the bread is soaked. Sprinkle with Mrs.Dash. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top, press again, and refrigerate the strata at least 8 hours or overnight.
10. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 65 - 80 minutes, or until knife comes out clean. Let cool about 15 minutes before serving. Be careful, the strata will be hot.
11. Serves 8 - 10 main size portions, or 15 -20 brunch size servings.
12. Refrigerate any leftovers.

For more brunch items, try serving Quick & Easy Mini Quiche and Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip.

The copyright of the article Strata Recipe Overnight Breakfast Casserole in Baking & Desserts is owned by Donna Diegel. Permission to republish Strata Recipe Overnight Breakfast Casserole in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Basic Strata Ingredients	Strata Ingredients	Fresh Eggs for the Strata
Leftover Bread for Strata	Breakfast Casserole