This breakfast strata is a delightful way to start your day, combining the savory flavors of cheddar cheese and sausage with the comforting texture of bread. It's a versatile dish that can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for busy mornings or special brunch gatherings.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, but you may need to ensure you have crumbled cooked sausage on hand. If you don't have pre-cooked sausage, you can easily cook some at home or purchase it from the supermarket. Additionally, make sure you have shredded cheddar cheese, which adds a rich, creamy flavor to the strata.
Ingredients For Breakfast Strata Recipe
Bread: Provides the base and structure for the strata, soaking up the egg mixture for a custardy texture.
Cheddar cheese: Adds a rich, creamy flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.
Milk: Combines with the eggs to create a smooth, custard-like consistency.
Eggs: The main binding ingredient, giving the strata its structure and richness.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the flavor profile.
Crumbled cooked sausage: Provides a savory, meaty element that complements the other ingredients.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the bread cubes for this breakfast strata, consider using slightly stale bread. Stale bread absorbs the egg mixture better, resulting in a more cohesive and flavorful dish. If your bread is fresh, you can dry it out by toasting the cubes lightly in the oven before mixing them with the other ingredients.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cubed bread - Substitute with cubed whole grain bread: Adds more fiber and nutrients.
cubed bread - Substitute with cubed gluten-free bread: Suitable for those with gluten intolerance.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella cheese: Offers a milder flavor and melts well.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with shredded Swiss cheese: Provides a nutty and slightly sweet flavor.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: A dairy-free option that works well in baking.
milk - Substitute with soy milk: Another dairy-free option that has a similar consistency to regular milk.
beaten eggs - Substitute with egg substitute: Ideal for those who are vegan or have egg allergies.
beaten eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: A vegan alternative that helps bind ingredients.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Provides a more natural and less processed option.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: Offers a milder pepper flavor without the black specks.
crumbled cooked sausage - Substitute with crumbled cooked turkey sausage: A leaner option with less fat.
crumbled cooked sausage - Substitute with crumbled cooked vegetarian sausage: Suitable for vegetarians and offers a similar texture.
Other Alternative Recipes
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the breakfast strata to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
For short-term storage, cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. The strata will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
If you prefer individual servings, cut the strata into portions and store them in airtight containers. This makes it easy to grab a quick breakfast on busy mornings.
To freeze, wrap the entire strata or individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. This double wrapping helps prevent freezer burn.
Label the wrapped strata with the date to keep track of its freshness. The strata can be frozen for up to 2 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the strata in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.
Reheat the strata in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until heated through. Cover with foil to prevent the top from over-browning.
For a quicker option, reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
If you notice any excess moisture after reheating, simply blot with a paper towel to maintain the strata's delightful texture.
Enjoy your breakfast strata with a side of fresh fruit or a light salad for a balanced and satisfying meal.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover breakfast strata in an oven-safe dish. If the strata is already in a baking dish, you can use that.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from drying out.
- Heat in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the strata is heated through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of heating to allow the top to crisp up slightly.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Microwave Method:
- Place a portion of the breakfast strata on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the plate with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- If the strata is not heated through, continue to heat in 30-second intervals until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.
Stovetop Method:
- Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet to prevent sticking.
- Place slices of the breakfast strata in the skillet.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to help retain moisture and heat evenly.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the strata is warmed through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the skillet and let it cool for a minute before serving.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Place slices of the breakfast strata in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- If needed, continue to heat in 2-minute intervals until the strata is warmed through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let it cool for a minute before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the strata at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Large mixing bowl: Essential for whisking together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper, and for mixing in the bread cubes, cheese, and sausage.
Whisk: Helps to thoroughly combine the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
Measuring cup: Used to measure out the milk accurately.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the salt and black pepper.
Cutting board: Provides a surface to cube the bread and crumble the cooked sausage.
Knife: Used to cube the bread.
Baking dish: The container in which the strata mixture is poured and baked.
Cooking spray: Used to grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.
Oven mitts: Protect your hands when placing the baking dish in the oven and taking it out.
Timer: Ensures the strata is baked for the correct amount of time, 45 minutes.
Cooling rack: Allows the strata to cool evenly after baking.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Cube the bread and cook the sausage the night before to save time in the morning.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded cheddar cheese to cut down on prep time.
Mix in a large bowl: Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl to ensure even distribution and save time on cleanup.
Grease the dish well: Properly greasing the baking dish will make serving easier and quicker.
Bake while you get ready: Pop the strata in the oven and use the baking time to get ready for your day.
Breakfast Strata Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 slices Bread cubed
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 cup Milk
- 6 Eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 cup Cooked Sausage crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in bread cubes, cheese, and cooked sausage.
- Pour mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until set and golden brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutritional Value
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