Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Strata
In short: Layers of day-old bread, browned sausage and sharp cheddar, soaked overnight in an egg custard and baked until puffed and golden. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 550 kcal
A strata is the easiest way to cook brunch for a crowd and still sit at the table. Cubes of day-old bread, browned sausage and sharp cheddar are layered in a dish and soaked overnight in an egg and milk custard. In the morning it goes into the oven and comes out puffed, golden and tender, like a savory bread pudding. Assemble it the night before, and the oven does the rest.
Instructions
- Grease a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish with the butter.
- Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until browned. Add the onion for the last 3 minutes. Drain off any extra fat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Layer half of the bread cubes in the dish, then half of the sausage mixture and a third of the cheddar. Repeat with the remaining bread, the remaining sausage mixture and another third of the cheddar, then scatter the last third on top.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper in a large jug until smooth. Pour evenly over the dish and press the bread down gently so every cube soaks up some of the custard.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight, so the bread absorbs the custard fully.
- Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and take the dish out of the fridge to warm up for 30 minutes. Bake uncovered for 50 to 55 minutes, until puffed, golden and set in the center (71°C / 160°F on a thermometer).
- Rest for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with the chives and cut into squares.
Tips
- Use bread that is a day or two old, or dry fresh cubes in a 150°C (300°F) oven for 10 minutes. Stale bread soaks up the custard without turning to mush.
- Do not skip the soak. Eight hours is the minimum, and overnight is better. The bread should take up the custard fully, so the middle is tender rather than dry or eggy.
Questions and answers
Can I prepare a breakfast strata the night before?
Yes, that is the point of it. Assemble it up to 24 hours ahead, keep it covered in the fridge and bake it in the morning. Let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes first so it cooks evenly.
What is the difference between a strata and a casserole?
A strata is a layered savory bread pudding: bread, cheese and fillings soaked in a custard of eggs and milk. Most breakfast casseroles are built on potatoes or have no bread at all.
Can I freeze a strata?
Yes, once it is baked. Cool it, wrap portions tightly and freeze for up to 2 months, then reheat at 175°C (350°F) for 15 to 20 minutes. Freezing it unbaked is not recommended, because the bread turns soggy.
How long does it take to make Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Strata?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Strata?
About 550 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 34 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 550 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1200 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
