Paula Deen's Breakfast Strata

Wake up to the ultimate comfort food with Paula Deen's Breakfast Strata, a hearty and flavor-packed dish perfect for feeding a crowd. This make-ahead breakfast casserole combines layers of stale French or Italian bread, savory breakfast sausage, and melty cheddar cheese, all soaked in a rich custard made from eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, and a touch of Dijon mustard for depth. Topped with a sprinkle of green onions and baked to golden perfection, this strata is the ideal centerpiece for brunches, holiday mornings, or leisurely weekend breakfasts. Easily prepped the night before, it allows the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the creamy mixture, ensuring every bite bursts with cheesy, savory goodness. Quick to prepare and satisfying to serve, this dish offers classic comfort with a rustic twist, making it a must-try for breakfast lovers.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 cups Stale bread (preferably French or Italian)
• 1 pound Breakfast sausage
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 8 Eggs
• 2.5 cups Whole milk
• 0.5 cups Heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 Green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Butter (for greasing the dish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease and spread the cooked sausage evenly over the bread cubes.

Step 4

Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage and bread layers, reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for later.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese layers in the baking dish, ensuring all the bread cubes are soaked.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top along with the chopped green onions.

Step 8

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to fully soak up the egg mixture.

Step 9

When ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

Step 10

Bake the strata, covered with the aluminum foil, for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the strata rest for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3748.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8924.0

Total Fat 380.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 162.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 2230.1mg	0%
Sodium 18317.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 981.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 51.7g	0%
Total Sugars 127.9g
Protein 345.6g	0%

Vitamin D 653.5IU	0%
Calcium 3042.9mg	0%
Iron 59.8mg	0%
Potassium 4551.6mg	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: 39.2%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 44.9%