Description

This hearty Breakfast Strata combines sauteed mushrooms and spinach with savory breakfast sausage and crusty bread, all soaked in a flavorful cheesy egg custard. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, this dish makes a delightful and filling morning meal suitable for a family breakfast or brunch gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Meat

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 pound crumbled breakfast sausage, cooked and fat drained

Base

8 cups crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

Egg Mixture

12 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
½ teaspoon thyme
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 ½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Other

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pan spray for greasing baking dish

Instructions

Sauté Mushrooms and Spinach: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until they begin to brown. Add 10 ounces of thawed and drained frozen spinach and sauté briefly until the spinach wilts. Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
Combine Ingredients: Add 1 pound of cooked and drained crumbled breakfast sausage and 8 cups of diced crusty bread cubes to the bowl with the mushroom and spinach mixture. Toss to combine evenly.
Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together 12 large eggs, 2 cups of whole milk, ½ teaspoon thyme, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground pepper, and 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard. Stir in 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.
Combine and Chill: Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the bread mixture in the large bowl. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Spray a 9×13 inch or 4-quart baking dish lightly with pan spray to prevent sticking.
Assemble and Bake: Transfer the chilled strata mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set and no longer jiggly when gently shaken.
Cool and Serve: Remove the strata from the oven and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period helps the strata to set further for easier serving.

Notes

Drain spinach well to avoid a soggy strata.
Use day-old crusty bread for best absorption without becoming mushy.
You can substitute cheddar cheese with other flavorful melting cheeses like Gruyère or mozzarella.
Customize seasoning to taste by adding herbs like parsley or replacing thyme with rosemary.
Cover leftovers and refrigerate; they can be reheated in the oven for best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Breakfast Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Breakfast Strata, breakfast casserole, baked eggs, sausage casserole, mushroom spinach strata, cheesy strata, brunch recipe