Classic “Strata” Holiday Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole, called “strata” in the Marley fam, is an annual holiday tradition. My dad prepares this casserole before both Christmas and New Year’s and it is truly the BEST. With bread, cheese, sausage, bacon, and egg – what’s not to love? It’s perfect to feed a crowd and will be sure to satisfy the whole gang. Plus, you can prep this dish the day before you have guests so you don’t have to stress about cooking with a full house. It’s a win-win!
Author: Paige Moser
Yield: 12 servings
Dietary Restrictions: none
Cuisine: breakfast, brunch
- 3/4 loaf sourdough bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage or Chorizo
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 7 eggs, beaten
- 3 cups milk (non-dairy is ok)
- 1/2 lb bacon, chopped for garnish
- 2 tbsp butter, for greasing the casserole dish
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
The Day Before:
- Preheat the oven to 425 and bake your bacon for about 12 minutes.
- While the bacon is baking, slice your bread into 1/2 cubes and set aside.
- Cook your spicy Italian sausage on the stovetop until no pink remains. Set aside.
- Grease the bottom and sides of a large casserole dish generously with butter.
- Start building your layers by first adding a layer of bread cubes until the bottom of the dish is covered. Then add a layer of sausage, and then a layer of cheddar cheese. You should use about half of your ingredients (but this will depend on the size of your dish).
- Top with your chopped bacon.
- Once all your bread, sausage, and cheese have been added to the dish in layers, add your eggs, milk, and seasonings to a large mixing bowl and whisk until combined.
- Pour the entire egg mixture over the casserole dish, being sure to spread it evenly (don’t forget the corners!).
- Cover and chill overnight in the refrigerator.
The Day Of:
- Preheat the oven to 350 and bake for 50-60 minutes.
- Let sit for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Enjoy!
I’m so glad you’re here! My name is Paige and I am a North Carolina girl living in Colorado. Here you’ll find out about our latest fixer upper projects, sustainable and clean swaps for everything from your cleaning supplies to your wardrobe, and much more.