Strata

When you’re prepping for a big brunch, it’s a good idea to do as much as possible the day before. After all, no one wants to wake up at the crack of dawn to start cooking. That’s why this strata recipe is a brunch hero: It allows you to put in all the hard work the day before. Our strata is both easy to make and easy to adjust to your liking. With make-ahead brunch recipes like this one, hosting a brunch is such a breeze!

Ingredients for Strata

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• Bread: You’ll need one loaf of herb or cheese bakery-style bread (or both!). Cube it up into bite-sized pieces. Go for a hearty loaf and leave the soft sandwich breads on the shelf.
• Sausage: Grab a pound of your favorite pork sausage. If it has extra herbs and cheeses, make sure the flavors make sense with the other ingredients in this egg strata.
• Vegetables: A mix of chopped onions and green bell peppers add flavor and freshness to our breakfast strata.
• Cheese: For ease, grab a bag of high-quality cheddar cheese from the store. However, shredding cheese yourself always delivers tastier results.
• Eggs: You’ll need about six eggs to make this egg strata. Make sure your eggs haven’t gone bad by checking the numbers on the egg carton or by testing them with the egg float test.
• Mustard: It’s zippy, zingy and pungent; a teaspoon of ground mustard is all you need in this breakfast strata.
• Milk: The milk is whisked with the eggs to form a gorgeous, savory custard.

Directions

Step 1: Assemble the base

Spread out the bread cubes evenly in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish.

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In a large skillet, cook and crumble the pork sausage with the chopped green peppers and onions over medium-high heat until the sausage is no longer pink, five to seven minutes.

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Using a slotted spoon, scoop up the sausage and vegetable mixture and spread it over the cubed bread. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole, making sure to pay attention to the corners and sides, too.

Step 2: Make the custard

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In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, mustard and milk.

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Pour the custard evenly over the top.

Editor’s Tip: To really make sure the eggs are completely whisked, try blending the eggs, mustard and milk together using an immersion blender.

Step 3: Chill the strata overnight

Cover the breakfast strata with storage wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate it overnight.

Step 4: Bake the strata

Once the morning has arrived, preheat the oven to 350°F, and remove your strata from the refrigerator while the oven heats up. Bake the egg strata, uncovered, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let the strata stand for five minutes before cutting into it.

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Strata Variations

• Switch out the meat: Swap the pork sausage out for bacon, ground turkey or spicy chorizo. Cook them in place of the pork sausage in Step 1 of this strata recipe.
• Try a different cheese: Substitute the shredded cheddar with mozzarella, Parmesan, fontina, Swiss, feta or pepper jack cheese.
• Add all the veggies: Add in your favorite veggies like spinach, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, jalapenos, green chilis and olives. You really can’t go wrong here!

How to Store Strata

To store any leftover strata, allow it to first cool to room temperature, then cover it with storage wrap or aluminum foil and stick it in the fridge. It can be kept for up to four days. Slices can be rewarmed in the microwave as desired.

Can you freeze strata?

Yes, you can freeze an unbaked strata. Assemble the strata, then cover it with a layer of storage wrap and a layer of aluminum foil and freeze it. Before baking it, partially thaw the frozen strata in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the strata from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350°, and take the storage wrap and aluminum foil off. Bake the strata as directed, increasing the time as necessary to heat it through. A thermometer inserted in the center should read 165°.

Strata Recipe Tips

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Do you have to let a breakfast strata sit overnight?

No, you don’t have to let strata sit overnight, but making it the day before does make entertaining a breeze! Plus, it enables the flavors of the dish to really meld and allows the bread to soak up the custard.

What can you serve with strata?

This strata recipe is a hearty, filling dish all on its own, but it can be served alongside simple breakfast sides. Serve it with sliced fruit, or make this refreshing brunch fruit salad that has a lovely orange, lemon and pineapple juice dressing. As for beverages, make your favorite copycat coffee shop drinks, or whip up these easy and fun strawberry mimosas.