Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Strata (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Baking Dish
01 -
A drizzle of olive oil for coating the pan
→ Vegetable Base
02 -
2 teaspoons olive oil
03 -
3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped and tightly packed
04 -
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
→ Main Layers
05 -
1 pound crusty artisan bread, torn into chunky cubes (roughly 6 cups)
06 -
4 ounces goat cheese (chèvre)
07 -
1 cup freshly grated parmesan
08 -
3 large roasted red bell peppers, roughly chopped (about 1 cup total)
09 -
3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, torn into bite-sized strips
10 -
4 scallions or fresh chives, finely sliced
→ Egg Custard Mixture
11 -
8 large eggs
12 -
3 cups whole milk
13 -
1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend
14 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
15 -
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# Instructions:
01 -
Start by heating your oven to 350°F. Take a 9x13-inch baking dish and lightly coat it with olive oil. Set this dish on top of a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential drips during baking.
02 -
Warm a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, toss in the minced garlic and cook until it releases its aroma, roughly 1 minute. Add all the chopped spinach and keep stirring until it wilts down and the excess liquid cooks off. Take the pan off the heat.
03 -
Spread the bread cubes across the bottom of your prepared baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle about a third of both cheeses over the bread, then scatter some of the roasted peppers, cooked spinach, prosciutto pieces, and sliced scallions on top. Add another layer of bread cubes and continue this layering pattern until you've used everything up.
04 -
Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk them together with the milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until everything is well combined. Pour this entire mixture slowly and evenly over your layered bread and toppings in the baking dish.
05 -
Slide the baking dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for 60 to 70 minutes. You'll know it's ready when a knife poked into the center comes out clean, and the top has puffed up with a lovely golden color.
# Notes:
01 -
This entire dish can be assembled the evening before you want to serve it. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight. When you're ready to bake, place it directly into a preheated oven.
02 -
A large round loaf of crusty bread works perfectly here—you'll need about three-quarters of the whole loaf.
03 -
If you only have 2% milk in your fridge, go ahead and use that instead of whole milk.
04 -
Want to make this vegetarian? Just leave out the prosciutto entirely.
05 -
Not a fan of goat cheese? Swap it out for fresh mozzarella instead.