Description
A hearty and flavorful Sausage Breakfast Strata featuring savory sausage, sautéed vegetables, and a blend of cheeses baked into a custardy egg and bread casserole. Perfect for make-ahead brunches and holiday mornings, this strata combines the richness of eggs and dairy with the satisfying texture of day-old bread and a touch of fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (casings removed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Custard and Seasonings
- 8 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Base and Cheese
- 6 cups cubed day-old bread (French or sourdough)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside to be ready for the strata mixture.
- Cook the sausage and vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it up as it browns. If the sausage is lean and starts sticking, add the olive oil. Once fully cooked, add diced onion and red bell pepper, sautéing for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine bread and sausage mixture: Add the cubed day-old bread, cooked sausage and vegetable mixture, shredded cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses to the egg mixture. Gently toss everything together to ensure the bread is evenly soaked and ingredients are well incorporated.
- Assemble and chill: Pour the combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld and bread to fully absorb the custard.
- Preheat oven and prepare to bake: When ready to bake, remove the strata from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the strata: Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set and no longer jiggly.
- Rest and serve: Let the strata rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing to allow it to firm up slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute or mix cheeses such as pepper jack or Swiss for different flavors.
- Add additional vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra taste and nutrition.
- This dish is great for preparing the night before, making it perfect for holiday breakfasts or leisurely weekend brunches.
- Use day-old bread to ensure the custard is absorbed properly without becoming too soggy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 240mg
