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breakfast strata
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Breakfast Strata

This spinach, red pepper, and cheese strata is a delicious savory breakfast that makes a perfect make-ahead breakfast!
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time1 hr 15 mins
Course: Breakfast, dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast casserole, breakfast strata, christmas breakfast, make ahead breakfast, vegetable strata
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cubed bread (pressed down) Artisan bread or crusty baguette
  • 9 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream or ½ 1/2
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 10oz package spinach thawed and squeeze and press any liquid out
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 half red bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup cheddar shredded
  • 1 cup gruyere shredded
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese for the top (or cheese of choice )
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme or a teaspoon dried thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste you will want to season each part of the strata
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • Cube the bread and make sure to have 4 packed cups. Heat some oil in a skillet and lightly toast the bread. Add a little bit of salt and pepper to season. (you can skip toasting the bread if your bread is stale) turn off the skillet and put bread in a large mixing bowl.
  • Put thawed spinach in kitchen strainer and press and squeeze all the liquid out and set aside.
  • Dice onions and red bell peppers, and grated garlic. Heat a skillet on medium heat with some oil and saute the onions and peppers for about 5 minutes until fragrant and they start to get soft.
  • Add in spinach, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. (I used about a ½ teaspoon of both salt and pepper) and saute for another couple of minutes. Add this mix into the bread mix.
  • Grate cheeses and add all but the parmesan cheese (save this for the top). Mix everything up in the bowl.
  • Oil a baking dish. ( I used a 9X6 baking dish) and pour the mix into the baking dish.
  • In a separate large bowl whisk eggs, milk, cream, and paprika. Season well with salt and pepper. Pour whisked eggs over the bread mix you put into the baking dish and top with the ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese.
  • At this point, if you want to make it the next morning you can cover and refrigerate until morning.
  • Place the breakfast strata in the pre-heated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the egg is cooked all the way through.
  • Remove from the oven and enjoy!