Strata is otherwise known as “the breakfast casserole that your overnight guests will think you toiled away on all morning when in reality, you simply whipped it up the night before and just popped in the oven.”
Stratas are egg casseroles made with bread—lots of it. You could call them savory bread puddings. Two things I love about stratas (besides how delicious they are):
Let’s make a Bacon and Cheese Strata and then I’ll show you a few more of my favorite variations.
Start with bread. Any bread will do, but I tend to go for the fresh baked French loaves in my grocery store. Rip it into chunks; don’t even bother cubing it. When you measure, press it down a bit in the measuring cup. A large glass measure works well here, and too much bread is better than too little.
You’ll also need milk, eggs, and seasoning. For the seasoning, I almost always keep it simple: salt, pepper, and mustard powder. Mustard powder adds a little tang and keeps things interesting.
Here’s where you can get creative. We’re adding crispy bacon, shallots, cheese (lots of cheese), and parsley.
Last, stir in the bread. Pour the whole thing into a greased pan, cover, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to 24. At first, you’ll think the mixture looks too wet, too milky. That’s where the time in the fridge works its magic.
The next morning, sip your coffee, read the paper, do some online shopping, all while your sumptuous strata bakes in the oven.
The strata will poof gorgeously in the oven and deflate once it rests. You do want to give it about 5 minutes to rest after coming out of the oven. This gives the eggs a chance to set up. Also, you won’t risk burning the roof of your mouth.
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.
2 – Italian Strata
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Saute 1/2 cup onion for 1 to 2 minutes. Add 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon.
Stir into the egg mixture:
- 1 cup quartered pepperoni slices
- 3/4 cup sliced green olives
- 1 1/2 cup grated mozzarella
- 1/2 cup Parmesan
- mushrooms/onions/garlic
1 – Spinach Artichoke Strata
Replace salt, pepper, and mustard with 1 1/2 teaspoons Greek seasoning.
Whisk 3 ounces softened cream cheese into the egg mixture, then stir in:
- 10 ounces chopped frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 can (14-ounce size) quartered artichoke hearts, drained
- 1 cup grated Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- a dash of Tabasco
How to Make Breakfast Strata | Strata Recipe | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
How long does strata keep in the fridge?
How long can you keep a breakfast casserole in fridge before baking?
How long can you refrigerate a casserole before baking?
Can you make a casserole with raw eggs ahead of time?
How long does it take to cook a strata?
Cover tightly and chill at least 1 hour or up to overnight. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove the strata from the fridge and let sit while the oven heats. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil, and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until puffed, set, and golden brown all over top.
Can a strata be made overnight?
Stratas can be made with a variety of taste fillings including meats, cheese, vegetables or fruits. Do you have to let strata sit overnight? You can let sit overnight or if you don’t have time, bake right away. Bake uncovered at 350′ for about 30-35 min. til bubbly. How far in advance can you make a strata?
How to cook a strata in the oven?
The dish should be golden brown on top, and the cheese should be melted. You can also ensure it is cooked by checking the internal temperature in the center. It has to be 160F. Remove it from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. While baking, the strata will puff up, but after you remove it from the oven, it will deflate.
How long do you let a strata cool before cooking?
Let cool 10 minutes before serving. What does strata mean in cooking? A strata is usually a savoury egg-bread casserole that’s baked in the oven or microwaved. Stratas can be made with a variety of taste fillings including meats, cheese, vegetables or fruits.