This Ham And Cheese Strata is a delightful and hearty dish perfect for breakfast or brunch. Combining savory ham, rich cheese, and fluffy bread cubes, it’s a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples. However, if you don't have day-old bread on hand, you can use fresh bread and let it sit out for a few hours to dry out. Diced ham can be found in the deli section or you can dice your own from a ham steak. Make sure to choose a good quality cheddar cheese or any other cheese you prefer.
Ingredients For Ham And Cheese Strata Recipe
Bread cubes: Slightly stale or day-old bread works best as it absorbs the egg mixture well.
Ham: Diced ham adds a savory and salty flavor to the dish.
Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheese that melts beautifully, adding richness and creaminess.
Eggs: Acts as a binding agent and gives the strata its structure.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps to create a custard-like texture.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the bread cubes, ensure they are day-old or slightly stale to better absorb the egg mixture. If your bread is too fresh, you can dry it out by spreading the cubes on a baking sheet and placing them in a low oven (about 200°F or 93°C) for 10-15 minutes. This will help the strata achieve a better texture and prevent it from becoming too soggy.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
day-old or slightly stale bread cubes - Substitute with fresh bread cubes: If you don't have stale bread, you can use fresh bread and lightly toast it to achieve a similar texture.
day-old or slightly stale bread cubes - Substitute with gluten-free bread cubes: For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread and toast it lightly.
diced ham - Substitute with diced turkey: Turkey provides a similar texture and flavor profile for those who prefer poultry.
diced ham - Substitute with vegetarian sausage: For a vegetarian option, use vegetarian sausage to maintain the savory element.
cheddar or your choice shredded cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella offers a milder flavor and melts well, making it a good alternative.
cheddar or your choice shredded cheese - Substitute with vegan cheese: For a dairy-free option, use vegan cheese which melts similarly to regular cheese.
eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: Combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water per egg as a vegan alternative.
eggs - Substitute with silken tofu: Use ¼ cup of blended silken tofu per egg for a plant-based substitute.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk provides a dairy-free alternative with a slightly nutty flavor.
milk - Substitute with soy milk: Soy milk is another dairy-free option that has a neutral flavor and similar consistency.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement for regular salt, offering a slightly different mineral content.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.
black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: For a spicier kick, use cayenne pepper, but reduce the quantity to avoid overpowering the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the strata to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
Transfer the cooled strata to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
For freezing, let the strata cool completely.
Cut the strata into individual servings for easier reheating.
Wrap each serving tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This double layer of protection helps prevent freezer burn.
Label the container with the date and contents.
Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat from frozen, remove the plastic wrap and place the strata in an oven-safe dish.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
Alternatively, thaw the strata overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or oven as desired.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover ham and cheese strata in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from drying out.
- Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the strata is warmed through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you want a crispy top.
Microwave Method:
- Place a portion of the strata on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Add additional time in 30-second increments if needed.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
- Place slices of the strata in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the strata is warmed through and slightly crispy on the outside.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the strata on a piece of aluminum foil or a small baking tray.
- Heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the strata is warmed through and the top is slightly crispy.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the strata at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Mixing bowl: A large bowl to whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper, and to combine all ingredients.
Whisk: Essential for blending the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper smoothly.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the milk and bread cubes accurately.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the salt and black pepper.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to dice the ham and cut the bread into cubes.
Knife: Used for dicing the ham and cutting the bread into cubes.
Baking dish: A greased dish to pour the mixture into before baking.
Spatula: Helps in mixing the bread cubes, ham, and cheese with the egg mixture.
Oven mitts: Protect your hands when placing the baking dish in the oven and taking it out.
Cooling rack: Allows the strata to cool evenly after baking.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare ingredients ahead: Dice the ham and shred the cheese the night before to save time in the morning.
Use pre-cubed bread: Buy pre-cubed bread to skip the step of cutting it yourself.
Mix in a large bowl: Use a large mixing bowl to combine all ingredients quickly and efficiently.
Pre-grease the baking dish: Grease the baking dish ahead of time to streamline the process.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Ham And Cheese Strata Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups bread cubes day-old or slightly stale
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or your choice
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Add the bread cubes, ham, and cheese to the bowl and mix until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strata is set in the middle.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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