Description
This savory Breakfast Strata is a perfect make-ahead dish featuring layers of crusty French bread, diced red bell pepper, cooked ham or bacon, and shredded Parmesan cheese, all soaked in a flavorful egg custard with mustard, green onions, and spices. Baked to golden perfection, it makes an excellent hearty breakfast or brunch option that’s easy to prepare and can be served fresh or reheated.
Ingredients
Scale
Strata Base
- 1 large (12 ounce) loaf French bread (or any plain bread), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cooked ham or bacon, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
Egg Custard
- 10 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup fresh green onions, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole pan with oil or butter to prevent sticking, then evenly arrange the chopped bread pieces in the bottom of the pan to form a base.
- Add Toppings: Spread the diced red bell pepper, finely chopped ham (or bacon), and shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over the layer of bread to distribute flavors throughout.
- Make Egg Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, Dijon mustard, finely chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine: Pour the egg custard mixture evenly over the bread and toppings in the casserole pan. Use a spatula to gently press down to ensure all bread pieces absorb the custard mixture thoroughly.
- Soak: Cover the casserole pan with plastic cling wrap and let it sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes to allow the custard to soak in; alternatively, refrigerate overnight for a make-ahead option.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to fully preheat before baking.
- Bake: Remove the plastic wrap and bake the strata in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the center is fully set—a knife inserted near the center should come out clean.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep fresh.
- Reheating: Reheat refrigerated slices in a 300°F (149°C) oven for 10-20 minutes until warmed through and crispy on the edges, or use a 350°F (177°C) air fryer for 5-10 minutes.
- Freezing: Cool the strata to room temperature, then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. For convenience, slice the strata before freezing and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 230mg
