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Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata

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Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata is a savory breakfast casserole everyone will love. This breakfast Strata is perfect for Sunday Brunch, Easter Brunch, Pot Luck or Party! A great way to use up crusty bread!

 

 

Am I the only person who had never heard of a breakfast strata until recently?

I’m not sure how a breakfast strata escaped my attention, but it has.  Despite not knowing the name, I know I’ve eaten them in the past.  I just assumed they were a classic breakfast casserole and didn’t know they had a special name.

 

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - baguette sliced and placed into

 

However, now that I know what they are called, I had to get this Bacon, Ham & Cheese Strata recipe on the website.

A breakfast strata makes for a great breakfast or brunch item.  You can whip one up for Sunday brunch or plan an event that includes breakfast!  Baby Showers, Wedding Showers, Easter Brunch, Mother’s Day Breakfast or even just because you love your family are all great reasons to make this Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata recipe.

 

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - eggs,, salt, pepper and heavy cream mixed in a bowl.

 

My 5 year old son loved this Breakfast Strata.  He requested it for breakfast and lunch for several days in a row and has requested I make it again.  

Because this recipe doesn’t call for diced onions, but instead uses Chives it’s easy for a child to pick off and devour the casserole.  

 

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - egg mixture poured over sliced up baguette

 

I’m sure I’m not the only person whose child doesn’t like onions.  I saw a meme going on social media once that said “My kids can’t find their shoes, but they can find the tiniest bit of onion in their dinner!”  

Isn’t that the truth!  I’m the mean mom who usually keeps the onions in the dish and lets them pick out the 2 or 3 they can find and eat the other 15 they can’t find.  This is of course because I actually like the flavor onions add to a dish.  So I will rarely remove them completely. 

 

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - bacon, cheese & chives placed on top of bread and egg mixture.

 

However this Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata doesn’t have that problem.  No onions.

Although you could certainly add some if you wished!  

After trying an egg  strata casserole recipe at a party and realizing that it was simply a savory breakfast casserole, we’ve become obsessed!  Whip this up the day of or the night before and enjoy this tasty breakfast dish!  Perfect for potlucks, parties and old fashioned family breakfast around the table.

 

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - bacon, cheese & chives placed on top of bread and egg mixture.

 

WHAT IS A STRATA?

A breakfast egg strata has 3 main ingredients.  Eggs, Cheese & Bread.  Anything other ingredients added to your strata is a bonus.  

Essentially it’s a savory breakfast casserole.  We’ve all heard of and probably eaten a french toast casserole, which is made with eggs, cinnamon and bread.  Once baked it’s drizzled in syrup and enjoyed.  This is a sweet breakfast item.  

However, an egg strata casserole is the opposite of a classic french toast casserole as it is a savory breakfast item.  Often made with a variety of meats and vegetables, this savory breakfast dish is perfect for anyone who is looking for something a little less sweet in the mornings.

 

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - Fresh out of the oven ready to be cut up.

 

WHAT KIND OF BREAD IS USED IN A STRATA?

I prefer to use a hearty french baguette.  Your goal is to find a bread that can stand up to the heavy egg and milk mixture without dissolving.  However, you can use these other bread options too!

Italian loaf, dried out day old bread, bagels, savory bakery bread or croissants all work.

 

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - slice of strata on plate with orange slices.

 

WHAT KIND OF MEAT CAN YOU PUT IN A STRATA?

Any kind of meat you would normally enjoy at breakfast, you can add to a Strata.  We like bacon, ham, breakfast sausage, leftover steak and even choirzo.

You can do a combination of these or pick one like is shown in this Bacon, Egg &  Cheese Strata.

WHAT VEGETABLES WORK WELL IN A STRATA?

The kind of vegetables you use will greatly depend on what is available seasonally as well as what your family enjoys!

Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, zucchini & asparagus are just a few of the vegetables you can choose to add to your Strata.  

 

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - fork full of strata with slice of strata in background.

 

CAN I MAKE A BREAKFAST STRATA AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes you can!  This Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata, or any variation of strata can be made the day of or turned into an overnight recipe.  

If you would like to do the overnight method, assemble strata as directed, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.  When ready to bake, preheat oven and bake as directed.

If you are looking to make this more than a day in advance, then you can!  This Strata should freeze well for up to 2 months. Just make as directed, cover well with heavy duty foil and freeze.  When ready to make, place strata in fridge to thaw overnight and bake as directed!

 

Yield: 12 Servings

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata - fork full of strata with slice of strata in background.

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Strata is a savory breakfast casserole everyone will love. This breakfast Strata is perfect for Sunday Brunch, Easter Brunch, Pot Luck or Party! A great way to use up crusty bread!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Large Baguette
  • 1 pound bacon, cooked but not crispy, chopped
  • 12 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 Tablespoons chives, diced

Instructions

  1. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
  2. Cut Baguettes into slices, then each slice into 6 pieces.
  3. Place baguette pieces into casserole dish.
  4. Fry up bacon until cooked, but not crispy. Cut into pieces.
  5. In a bowl mix together bacon, eggs, salt, pepper and heavy cream, .
  6. Pour egg mixture over cut up baguettes.
  7. Press baguettes down into egg mixture to ensure each one is completely soaked in it. Set aside for 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 350*F
  9. Before baking, soak all bred pieces again then, top with bacon, cheese & chives.
  10. Bake for 45 minutes or until no longer liquid in the center.
  11. Remove from oven and enjoy immediately.

Notes

If you'd like to turn this into an overnight casserole, make as directed but do not bake. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in fridge. The next morning when ready to bake, preheat oven and bake as directed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 501Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 131mgSodium: 893mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 23g

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John

Wednesday 15th of November 2023

I made this for my daughter to take to her office function and they loved it. I used Hawaiian sweet bread and added sweet onion as well as green and red bell peppers and used the overnight method. Her boss loved it so much she wanted the recipe. It's now a weekend must at our breakfast table.

Lisa

Wednesday 2nd of September 2020

This sounds soooo great and soooo easy! I wonder, however, if I can bake it, let it cool, refrigerate overnight, and then just warm it up again in the oven the next day? I am thinking of taking this to a potluck brunch, but I don't want to worry about transporting it while hot, and I also don't want to have to ask the host if I can use her oven for 45 minutes! hehe Or would this be good room temp?

Janelle

Friday 11th of September 2020

You should be able to bake it the day before and warm it up. Though nothing tastes quite as good reheated as it does freshly baked. I see your dilemma. Have you tried a casserole carrier? I've found them to be a life saver when carrying hot casserole dishes places.

I like to eat cold pizza and I would eat this cold. But my husband would never touch it if it were cold or room temperature. So it really depends on you and who you are serving it to. Sorry I can't be more help.

Jessica

Saturday 28th of March 2020

This recipe was speaking my language! Cheese, bacon and eggs are my jam. Loved it and will totally make it again.

Nancy

Wednesday 25th of December 2019

I made this up last night for our xmas morning breakfast. It was very good, but next time I'll add more bacon or some cooked sausage. Also will bake about 5 minutes less.

Janelle

Friday 28th of August 2020

Thank you for your tips and suggestions! Sausage would definitely be a great addition Nancy!

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