Today we will make an easy Ham and Cheese Strata that is perfect for any occasion. We will discover together the simplicity and versatility of this overnight breakfast casserole that will have everyone asking for seconds.
This delicious breakfast casserole is perfect to make for the holidays, but I also like making it during the week, as I love the leftovers for a light lunch next to a salad.
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What Is A Ham And Cheese Strata
A Ham and Cheese Strata is a savory layered breakfast casserole that combines cubed bread, ham (or other meats), cheese, and eggs. It's assembled the night before, making it a convenient and flavorful option for hosting guests, especailly during the holidays, like Christmas morning, or Easter brunch.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Versatile Delight: This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it with your favorite ingredients, from different bread types to various cheeses and veggies.
- Effortless Preparation: With minimal hands-on time, you can assemble this strata the night before, reducing morning stress and ensuring a delightful meal without the hassle.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: Whether you're serving family or friends, the combination of ham and cheese in a fluffy, savory casserole is sure to win hearts and appetites.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: The overnight rest in the refrigerator allows the flavors to meld, resulting in a richer and more satisfying dish when baked.
Ingredients:
This colorful ham strata with cheese is made with simple ingredients that are versatile and easy to find. Here is what you need:
- Cubed stale bread (e.g., French baguette, rustic, regular, sourdough, regular, or gluten-free). I like crusty bread, but any bread will do.
- Large eggs
- Whole milk (Sour cream can be used for a tangier twist.)
- Green onions, finely chopped, or a small white or red onion
- Chopped ham (or cooked sausage/chorizo, or cooked bacon). Leftover ham is perfect for this recipe. Think about making this dish during holiday season when you have family around and need to cook for a crowd.
- Red pepper, finely chopped (green peppers, or other colors work too)
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese (also try Gruyere, Swiss Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese.)
- Shredded mozzarella
- Nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
How To Make This Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Step 1. Prepare baking dish and cut the bread: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, using a cooking spray. Take your choice of bread and cut it into bite-sized cubes.
Step 2. Prepare the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together six large eggs and two cups of whole milk. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg for a delightful flavor boost.
Step 3. Assemble the dry ingredients: Spread some of the bread on the bottom of a baking dish and add a generous portion of shredded (or cubed) cheese over the cubed bread. Remember to save some cheese for later.
Add your preferred ingredients to the dish. This can include layers of ham, cooked sausage or chorizo, or crispy bacon. For a touch of color and flavor, add finely chopped red peppers, or opt for yellow, orange or green peppers.
Step 4. Add the liquid: Carefully pour the prepared egg mixture over the bread, cheese, and ingredients in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded Cheddar cheese, along with a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella, over the top of the strata. This cheese will form a golden, gooey crust during baking.
Step 5. Refrigerate: Securely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator. Let it rest overnight to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
Step 6. Preheat the Oven And Bring Dish To Room Temperature: The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Before baking, allow the refrigerated strata to reach room temperature.
Step 7. Bake: Bake your strata in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown hue. A fully baked strata will be firm in the center without any jiggling. Check the internal temperature of the strata, which should reach 160°F (71°C).
Step 8. Rest The Strata Before Serving: Once it's out of the oven, let your Ham and Cheese Strata rest undisturbed for 5-10 minutes. This allows the flavors to settle, making it easier to slice and serve.
Expert Tips
- Consider adding herbs or spices to the egg mixture, such as thyme, rosemary, or dry mustard.
- Don't skip the step of bringing the dish to room temperature before baking, as it helps ensure even cooking.
❄️ Storage Instructions
- Leftover strata should be refrigerated within two hours of baking and can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- You can also freeze already baked strata for up to three months, making it a convenient make-ahead option.
- To reheat, simply place individual portions in the microwave or bake in the oven until heated through.
What to Serve With This Casserole Dish
Serve this Ham and Cheese Strata hot or at room temperature for a delightful breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Pair it with a fresh salad for a complete meal. This is the perfect way to serve an excellent breakfast or brunch on Christmas morning.
Recipe FAQs
In cooking, a u0022stratau0022 is a savory dish that's all about layers. It's like creating a flavorful sandwich with bread, eggs, cheese, and sometimes veggies or meat, all neatly stacked on top of each other. Think of it as a tasty twist on traditional bread pudding.
The reason a strata is left to sit overnight is to let its flavors meld. By covering and refrigerating the casserole overnight, it allows the liquid components to soak into the bread, resulting in a wonderfully moist and flavorful dish when baked.
Yes and no. While they both involve eggs and fillings, quiche typically has a pastry crust and a custard-like filling, whereas strata is a layered casserole with bread, eggs, and various ingredients. They share some similarities in that they are both savory dishes with customizable ingredients, but their primary differences lie in their composition and preparation.
More Recipes To Enjoy
- Easy Scrambled Eggs With Tortilla (Mexican Migas)
- Savory Blueberry Bread Pudding
- Homemade Nut Free Granola
- Cappuccino Muffins With Chocolate Chips: How To Make
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📖 Recipe
Easy Ham And Cheese Overnight Breakfast Strata Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed stale bread French baguette rustic, sourdough, regular, or gluten free
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4-6 green onion chopped small or a small white or red onion
- 1 cup chopped ham or cooked sausage/chorizo or cooked bacon
- 1 small red pepper chopped small yellow or orange peppers work well too
- 1 ¾ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan, by using a cooking spray, or a little bit of butter.
- Take your choice of bread, whether it's a French baguette, rustic loaf, sourdough, regular, or gluten-free, and cut it into bite-sized cubes.
- Spread some of the bread on the bottom of a baking dish and add a generous portion of shredded (or cubed) cheese over the cubed bread. Remember to save some cheese for later.
- Add your preferred ingredients to the dish. This can include layers of ham, cooked sausage or chorizo, or crispy bacon. For a touch of color and flavor, add finely chopped red peppers, or any pepper you have available.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together six large eggs and two cups of whole milk. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg for a flavor boost.
- Pour the prepared egg mixture over the bread, cheese, and ingredients in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded Cheddar cheese, along with a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella, over the top of the strata. This cheese will form a golden, gooey crust during baking.
- Securely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator. Let it rest overnight to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
- The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Before baking, allow the refrigerated strata to reach room temperature.
- Baking Time: Bake your strata in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden-brown. A fully baked strata will be firm in the center without any jiggling.
- Check the internal temperature of the strata, which should reach 160°F (71°C).
- Once it's out of the oven, let your Ham and Cheese Strata rest undisturbed for 5-10 minutes. This allows the flavors to settle, making it easier to slice and serve.
Notes
- Customize Your Strata: Feel free to get creative with your choice of bread, cheese, and fillings to suit your taste preferences.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to four days or frozen for up to three months.
- Reheating: To enjoy leftovers, simply reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake until heated through.
Gigi says
I made this recipe recently and it was so good. We really loved it on a snowy morning. Thank you for posting!