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This layered strata recipe preps in 10 minutes then chills overnight for a no-fuss brunch, holiday, or yummy family breakfast!!
A Favorite Layered Breakfast
Bread, eggs, and cheese – this strata recipe has everything you need for breakfast all in one savory dish!
This particular layered casserole comes from a family friend and we have been making it for YEARS! Our version includes ham for an even more delicious flavor.
Because it chills overnight, it’s our go-to make-ahead breakfast casserole. We love to prep it and pop it in the oven for weekends, brunches, and of course holidays (a great way to use leftover holiday ham). It’s a no-fuss breakfast favorite that’s packed with flavor!
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Use up leftovers. This recipe is perfect for slightly stale bread or leftover Honey Glazed Ham!
- Make the night before. Prep in 10 minutes then chill overnight for an easy morning.
- Feeds a crowd. Casseroles are all great for feeding the masses. This one serves 8 and can easily be doubled!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
CHILL TIME: 4 hours
COOK TIME: 45 minutes
- 12 slices white bread – about 12 ounces. Try challah, brioche, French Bread, or Sourdough Bread. Slightly stale bread works best to absorb the egg custard.
- 2 cups cooked ham – or cooked crumbled bacon, cooked sausage pieces, or make it meatless
- 2 cups shredded monterrey jack cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese – or swiss cheese, monterrey jack, or colby jack cheese (Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well.)
- 6 large eggs – room temperature
- 3 cups milk – Must be room temperature otherwise the butter will harden into little flakes or droplets instead of incorporating smoothly.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
How to Make Breakfast Strata
- PREP. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- ASSEMBLE. Layer 6 slices bread cubes, 1 cup monterey jack cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1 cup cubed ham into the pan. Repeat layers.
- In a separate bowl, whisk 6 eggs, 3 cups milk, and ½ cup melted butter in a bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the layers.
- CHILL. Refrigerate, covered, overnight, or at least for 2 hours.
- BAKE. Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes. No need to cover it, but if the top is browning too quickly tent it with a piece of foil.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 slices white bread, cut into 1-inch squares
- 2 cups monterrey jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cooked cubed ham
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 cups milk, room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Layer half of the bread cubes on the bottom of the baking dish, followed by 1 cup Monterrey jack cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and 1 cup ham. Repeat layers once more.
- In a medium bowl, mix eggs, milk, and melted butter in a bowl. Pour over layers.
- Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bake the strata covered with aluminum foil for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes. This will help it cook more evenly without overbaking the top.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Make this recipe up to 24 hours in advance and keep it in the fridge until baking.
Cover leftovers with plastic wrap or divide them into an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze in freezer-safe containers for 2-3 months.
Love this recipe….. Sometimes I use croissants or brioche…or whatever bread I have on hand. It is delicious and so easy to make. I make it often and have leftovers for the week. So versatile too. Use sausage, ham or bacon!
Can I use gluten free bread?
You bet!
One of my favorites
So easy to put together and pairs so well with our favorite French toast bake!
This will be our Christmas breakfast deliciousness 😍
Looks delicious! What kind of bread did you use?
I just used regular white bread, but you could use your favorite bread.
THe best strata ever, simple and yummy!
My family loved it.
Yay!! That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you!!
Served it for dinner (made separate veggies) and my loved it. They never knew it was actually breakfasr
LOL!! So happy your family loved it! Thank you for trying it!
BriochE was too sweet.
I think your recipes are great.
Awe, thank you for saying that!! I am so glad you think that!