This cheesy strata makes for a perfect brunch dish with simple ingredients. You can spice up the recipe with veggies, sausage, or whatever's in the fridge!
Basic Strata Base
12 slices bread, cubed
1 pound cheddar cheese, shredded (or other cheese)
4 cups milk
8 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons dehydrated minced onion
cayenne pepper, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons butter, cut in bits
Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
For the basic strata, spread the bread cubes in the greased baking dish. Top with the cheese.
In a bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, mustard, onion, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Mix well then pour over the cheese and bread in the baking dish. Dot the top with the bits of butter. Cover the baking dish and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the strata at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Variations:
Chicken: Reduce basic strata recipe to 4 eggs and 3 c milk. Add: 2 c diced cooked chicken; 0.25 c finely chopped pimiento; 0.5 c finely chopped celery; 1 (10-oz.) can cream of chicken soup; 0.5 c mayonnaise.
Spinach or Broccoli: Add to basic strata: 2 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach OR 1 (10 oz.) pkg. chopped broccoli, cooked and well-drained; 8 oz mushroom, sliced and sauteed.
Sausage: Add to basic strata: 1.5 lb sausage, cooked and crumbled; 8 oz mushrooms, sauteed with 1 tb butter and 0.5 c chopped green bell pepper.
Pumpkins aren't just for pies or Halloween decorations. These large, orange gourds - while naturally sweet - also work well in savory dishes. They pair well with poultry and pork (and especially bacon) and their creamy-when-cooked texture blends easily into soups.
Make your mornings a little less hectic with these overnight breakfast recipes. Prep the night before and enjoy a warm, comforting meal in the morning.
Pizza night is always a favorite, especially when you have great tasting pizza from some of the most popular restaurants.
reviews & comments
December 18, 2013
I made a veggie w/broccoli,spinach,red and yellow diced sweet peppers put in deeper pan and cooked for about 1 hour 30 mins. Also made and all meat w/sausage,bacon & Keilbasa. Everyone loved it at work. Will make again and again.
October 22, 2013
I made the sausage version. And I may have snuck some bacon in there too. Yummy!
June 22, 2013
I didn't care for the chicken version of this strata recipe but I really liked the sausage one. I think the mayo and cream soup threw me off with the other. Will definitely make this again and might try the broccoli version.
September 9, 2012
This is a man's brunch casserole!!! I made this today for our church brunch. I can't tell you how many men came up to compliment this casserole. Now I made several and this was the men's favorite! I made the sausage variation. I think us gals liked it too but it is not exactly waistline friendly. I have to admit it was really yummy and is worth the little cheat on my diet! :) Made it just as recipe written and came out perfectly!
June 1, 2009
I was never terribly fond of strata, having had it at a hospital where I worked. It was too mushy. This was GREAT! I mixed ALL the wet ingredients together and ladeled it on top of the cubed bread. I poked down the cubes that stuck up. I made 1/2 the recipe and filled 4 individual "boats." I used my GE Advantium oven. It only took 30 minutes! My husband and I enjoyed it, as well as my guests this morning! I will make it again! Putting it in the boats in this oven cut the bake time substantially!
April 10, 2009
I love this recipe. I've used it for Christmas morning, and many brunches. It is versatile and being able to adjust the quantities is great. I've done a greek version with red & green peppers (sweet), onions and feta cheese, and bbq veg version.
June 15, 2007
I made the spinach version, and added 1/2 a medium onion to the sauteed veggies. Very yummy. I'll make it again.
December 26, 2006
I made the chicken version for friends and family for Xmas breakfast. It was a big hit!
February 15, 2006
I took the sausage version of this to my morning Bible Study group and had 4 requests for the recipe! Excellent, and very easy.
September 22, 2005
I picked this recipe for a bridesmaids luncheon. It was easy to prepare, beautiful when cooked, and delicious. I have now used it for luncheons for over 40 people and everytime it people want the recipe. The ham sauce is excellent over the strata but a little salty and the strata is delicious on it's ouw. I have also served it with fresh red salsa and green salsa. Wonderful!