Lisa's Breakfast Strata

Start your morning on a savory, satisfying note with Lisa's Breakfast Strata—a comforting, make-ahead dish perfect for brunch gatherings or lazy weekend mornings. This hearty breakfast casserole combines the rich flavors of day-old bread soaked in a luscious custard made with eggs, milk, and heavy cream, layered with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and loaded with smoky bacon or sausage. Optional additions like bell peppers and onions bring a burst of color and added freshness. Baked to golden perfection and garnished with freshly chopped parsley, this strata is as beautiful as it is delicious. Quick to prep in just 20 minutes and serving up to 8, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that can be personalized to suit your cravings. Ideal for sharing and bursting with bold breakfast flavors, Lisa's Breakfast Strata is your ultimate go-to for feeding a hungry crowd.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 cups day-old bread (Italian, French, or sourdough)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup cooked bacon or sausage (chopped)
• 1 cup chopped bell peppers (optional)
• 0.5 cup chopped onion (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing the pan)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with the unsalted butter.

Step 3

Cut the day-old bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 5

Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese, reserving a small handful of each for topping.

Step 6

Add the cooked bacon or sausage, bell peppers (if using), and onions (if using) to the egg mixture. Stir until evenly combined.

Step 7

Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish, ensuring all pieces of bread are soaked. Use a spatula to press the bread down gently, if needed.

Step 8

Sprinkle the reserved cheeses evenly over the top of the strata.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Step 10

After 40 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strata is set in the center.

Step 11

Remove the strata from the oven and let it cool for 5–10 minutes.

Step 12

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy warm!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3786.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9006.0

Total Fat 380.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 172.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 2306.4mg	0%
Sodium 18748.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 991.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.0g	0%
Total Sugars 70.0g
Protein 380.9g	0%

Vitamin D 551.8IU	0%
Calcium 3188.3mg	0%
Iron 59.2mg	0%
Potassium 4872.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.4%

Protein: 17.1%

Carbs: 44.5%