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    Home · Recipes · Breakfast · Egg Strata

    November 18, 2017

    Egg Strata

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

     A make-ahead breakfast casserole featuring a savory egg strata loaded with sausage and Gouda cheese. The perfect make-ahead casserole for breakfast and brunch entertaining!

    Sausage and Gouda Breakfast Strata on a serving spatula being held over the white rectangular baking dish.

    WHAT IS A STRATA, EXACTLY?

    Stratas are the perfect make-ahead item for breakfast and brunch entertaining.  The name "strata" may sound intimidating, but don't let that scare you off. A strata is sort of like a savory bread pudding, and the main ingredients are pretty much the same: Day-old bread soaked in a custard. The custard is typically comprised of eggs and half-and-half or heavy cream.

    For another easy egg recipe, try our Fried Eggs next!

    Sausage and Gouda Breakfast Strata in a white rectangular baking dish. Lying next to the dish are five pieces of silverware on top of a blue and white tablecloth.

    WHAT'S IN IT?

    This strata, in particular, is not only packed with delicious breakfast-y things like eggs, savory breakfast sausage, and melty Gouda cheese, but the real beauty of strata is you can make it a whole day in advance. Yes, it is make-ahead breakfast casserole. Plus, it feeds a crowd. Winner, winner chicken dinner...or in this case, egg-y breakfast?

    The point is, make-ahead breakfast casseroles are a beautiful thing, allowing us to hold on to that beauty sleep a little bit longer. Breakfast stratas typically take right around 1 hour to bake, however, the temperature of the strata going into the oven will make a difference.

    The colder it is when it goes in the oven, the longer it takes to cook through. I give myself enough wake time so that I can set the casserole out at least one hour before putting it into the oven. You want it to be at least close to room temperature before baking.

    A slice of Sausage and Gouda Breakfast Strata on a white decorative white plate. In the background is the large rectangular dish of the strata.

    Since, it has evolved into my own creation and is in fact, the star of my family's Christmas morning brunch every year. I whip it up the afternoon of Christmas Eve, and set it in the fridge until the morning, allowing the bread to soak up every bit of the decadent custard. I set it first thing Christmas morning, and pop it in the oven just before we watch the little ones tear through their gifts. It's like Christmas magic.

    5 MORE BREAKFAST IDEAS YOU'LL LOVE

    • Homemade Cinnamon Rolls is a breakfast treat you cannot go wrong with. Learn to make the best cinnamon rolls with this clear, foolproof guide to soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls at home.
    • Cheesy Grits Breakfast Casserole features a layer of creamy, cheesy grits, savory sausage, hearty breakfast potatoes and a perfect topping of baked eggs and melty cheese.
    •  
    • Avocado Toasts with Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs features toast topped smashed avocados, smoked salmon, creamy scrambled eggs and fresh dill.
    • Overnight Breakfast Strata with Sausage and Eggs is a savory, make-ahead egg casserole loaded with sausage, Gouda cheese, and cubed bread. Great for entertaining and big family breakfasts!
    • Homemade Biscuits and Gravy features an easy batch of made-from-scratch biscuits and a perfect creamy sausage gravy. It comes together quickly and makes absolutely everybody happy!
    4.5 from 18 votes
    Sausage and Gouda Breakfast Strata
    Print
    Overnight Breakfast Strata with Sausage and Gouda
    Prep Time
    30 mins
    Cook Time
    1 hr
    Total Time
    1 hr 30 mins
     

    A make-ahead breakfast egg strata loaded with sausage, Gouda cheese and fresh herbs. 

    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Overnight Breakfast Strata
    Servings: 12 Servings
    Calories: 499 kcal
    Author: Kelly Anthony
    Ingredients
    • 1 tbsp Canola Oil
    • Yellow Onion diced
    • 1 lb Breakfast Pork Sausage
    • 1 lb Loaf of Day Old Bakery Bread such as a Rustic French Loaf or Sourdough*
    • 10 Eggs
    • 3 c Half and Half
    • ½ tsp Black Pepper
    • Generous Pinch of Kosher Salt
    • 2 c Freshly Grated Gouda Cheese
    • 2 tbsp Freshly Minced Parsley
    Instructions
    1. Have ready a greased 9x13" casserole dish. Add the oil to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute 5 minutes. Add sausage and break apart with a wooden spoon. Saute for an additional 7-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Remove the crust from the bread and cut, or tear, into 1" cubes. Set aside until ready to use.
    2. For the custard, whisk together the eggs, half and half, pepper and salt, making sure all of the ingredients are evenly combined and no eggs remain intact. Line the casserole dish with about ⅔'s of the bread cubes, forming a single, even layer. Scatter the sausage and onion mixture evenly across the layer of bread cubes. Sprinkle with half of the cheese and all of the parsley. Pour the custard evenly over the casserole and top with the remaining bread cubes.
    3. Press down gently until the custard runs up and over the bread cubes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours, but preferably overnight. Set out the casserole for at least one hour before baking, allowing it to come as close to room temperature as possible. Preheat the oven to 325°.
    4. Top with remaining cheese, bake, uncovered, for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the casserole comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly, serve and enjoy.

    Recipe Notes

    NOTE: The strata is best when the bread is able to soak up the custard! When planning to make your strata, allow at least THREE HOURS of "soak time" in the refrigerator, but overnight is preferable.

    Nutrition Facts
    Overnight Breakfast Strata with Sausage and Gouda
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 499 Calories from Fat 306
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 34g52%
    Saturated Fat 16g100%
    Cholesterol 231mg77%
    Sodium 837mg36%
    Potassium 343mg10%
    Carbohydrates 23g8%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 26g52%
    Vitamin A 719IU14%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 417mg42%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    PInterest image of Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

    STRATA BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
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    Comments

    1. Sarah says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      How long to bake at 350? I am planning on popping something else in the oven at the same time that requires a 350 oven. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kelly Anthony says

        March 21, 2018 at 11:28 am

        Hi Sarah! Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend changing the baking temperature.

        Reply
    2. Jen Campbell says

      March 04, 2020 at 2:15 am

      I made this for our church community group and it was a hit. Easy to make and seriously SO good!

      Reply

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    I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

    Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

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