Is there anything better than waking up to a warm, savory breakfast that practically makes itself? This breakfast strata is like a cozy blanket for your taste buds—layers of fluffy eggs, bread, and cheese that melt together into pure morning bliss. I first stumbled upon this recipe during a chaotic Monday, when the idea of an effortless yet satisfying dish seemed like a mirage.
Spoiler: it was real and absolutely delicious.
Steps
- Gather all the ingredients needed for the recipe. Lightly coat a 7×11-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside for later use.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until it is thoroughly browned and crumbly, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Once done, drain the excess fat.
- In the greased baking dish, layer the bread cubes, cooked sausage, and shredded cheese evenly. In a separate bowl, beat together milk, eggs, salt, and dry mustard, then pour this mixture over the layered bread and sausage. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Allow the casserole to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes as the oven heats up.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 pound pork sausage
- 6 slices of bread (1 ounce each), cubed
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 6 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
Nutritional Values
Total Nutritional Values for the Entire Recipe | Calories: 3208 | Total Fat: 216g | Saturated Fat: 96g | Cholesterol: 1656mg | Sodium: 9560mg | Total Carbohydrate: 120g | Dietary Fiber: 8g | Total Sugars: 32g | Protein: 184g | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 2728mg | Iron: 16mg | Potassium: 2656mg
FAQ
- Can I prepare the sausage strata in advance?
- Yes, you can assemble the strata the day before and refrigerate it for 8 hours or overnight before baking.
- What can I use instead of sausage?
- You can substitute the sausage with ham or bacon if you prefer.
- Do I need to cover the casserole while baking?
- The recipe does not specify, but some users have suggested covering it for the first 40 minutes and then uncovering it for the rest of the baking time.
- Can I add vegetables to the strata?
- Absolutely, adding vegetables like cooked chopped broccoli or spinach can offer a nice variation to the dish.
- What type of bread works best for this recipe?
- You can use different types of bread, such as cubed baguette or leftover brioche, which can add unique textures to the strata.
Tips
- Consider adding cooked, chopped broccoli or substituting ham or bacon for the sausage to customize the flavor to your liking.
- To ensure the strata bakes evenly, let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before placing it in the preheated oven.
- For a different texture, try using leftover brioche or a cubed baguette instead of regular sliced bread; it can give the dish a delightful custard-like feel.
- If you’re looking for a lighter version, opt for chicken sausage, low-fat milk, and reduce the cheese to one cup.
Equipment
- 7×11-inch baking dish
- Large, deep skillet
