20 Delicious Stratas for Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner
Stratas might just be the ultimate homemade convenience food. They can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving; and the basic formula of eggs, milk, cheese, and other meat and veggie fillings offers near-countless variations limited only by your creativity (and the contents of your fridge and pantry). Browse our collection of 20 strata recipes to get started with incorporating this genius make-ahead casserole into your new meal plan rotation.
Butternut Stratas with Gruyère
Butternut Stratas with Gruyère Recipe
These colorful single-serving stratas, served in individual ramekins, feature nutrient-rich butternut squash and make for a perfect supper side. Seasonings like fresh sage and grated whole nutmeg punch up the flavor, while shredded Gruyère cheese adds a satisfying and salty creaminess to the dish. If you don't have individual ramekins, you can bake the strata in an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray for 25 minutes.
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Fresh Mozzarella, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Prosciutto Strata
Fresh Mozzarella, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Prosciutto Strata Recipe
This Italian-inspired strata calls for fresh mozzarella cheese, prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, and cubes of rosemary focaccia bread, making it an elegant (but easy) lunch or dinner go-to when you're craving Italian fare. For a complete meal, pair with a simple green salad and a glass of Chardonnay.
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Sicilian-style Strata
Transport your tastebuds to the breezy Mediterranean island of Sicily with this simple strata. First, layer cubed Italian-style bread with prosciutto, roasted red peppers, green onions, and parmesan cheese. Repeat the process with more bread cubes, tomatoes, olives, and mozzarella, then pour the seasoned egg-and-milk mixture over the layers and let chill for at least an hour (and up to 24). Bake at 325 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set and lightly browned. Like all stratas, this one can be assembled ahead of time and baked at the last minute.
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Spinach, Bacon, and Gruyère Breakfast Strata
Spinach, Bacon, and Gruyère Breakfast Strata Recipe
This dish has fewer than 20g of total carbs--about half of what you'll find in classic bread-based casseroles. Greek yogurt, eggs, and cheese pack a mighty protein punch, while a touch of bacon seasons to perfection. The strata is best if allowed to soak overnight. Not only does this build in make-ahead convenience, it also allows the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture--yielding a creamy texture inside, while the top bread pieces get delightfully crisp.
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Brie and Egg Strata
The night before, assemble and layer the casserole without the egg mixture (steps one and two); cover and refrigerate. Combine the egg mixture (step three), and refrigerate in a separate container. In the morning, pour the egg mixture over the bread mixture; allow the strata to stand for 30 minutes before baking. Substitute a French baguette or sourdough loaf for the flat Italian bread, ciabatta, if desired. Freeze the Brie for about 15 minutes to make chopping easier.
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Vegetable-Cheddar Strata
Vegetable-Cheddar Strata Recipe
This uber-cheesy strata swaps toasted English muffins pieces for bread cubes and is chock full of nutritious vegetables like broccoli and bell peppers, making it the perfect way to sneak extra veggies into your family's diet. Dijon mustard and hot sauce add a savory kick. Serve with your family's favorite meat entrée, such as grilled chicken, steak, or pork chops.
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Ham and Cheese Strata
Gone gluten-free? Watching your waistline? Don't worry, you won't have to miss out on all the strata fun. This delicious recipe calls for pieces of toasted gluten-free English muffins, along with opting for reduced-fat cheese and milk and swapping some of the eggs for egg whites. Canadian bacon slices add extra protein and make this the perfect all-in-one breakfast or brunch dish that cuts down on fat, calories, and gluten.
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Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata
Mushroom, Bacon, and Swiss Strata Recipe
This hearty and savory breakfast strata is perfect for hosting guests. Simply assemble the night before, let chill overnight, and bake in the morning.
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Golden Onion Strata with Gruyère and Prosciutto
Golden Onion Strata with Gruyère and Prosciutto Recipe
We love the flavor and layered look of this strata, with paper-thin prosciutto providing a mere but welcome hint of salt. It's a perfect make-ahead dish for brunch.
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Creamy Egg Strata
Let Creamy Egg Strata be the star of your next brunch. Made with Swiss and Parmesan cheese, this creamy egg dish is worth waking for.
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King Ranch Breakfast Strata
King Ranch Breakfast Strata Recipe
Superfans of the classic King Ranch Chicken Casserole (we know you're out there) will love this breakfast twist on the traditional dinner entrée. It features cooked chicken, corn tortillas, diced tomatoes, green chiles, bell pepper, and plenty of pepper Jack cheese to yield that authentic King Ranch flavor. To keep things running smoothly, be sure to prepare this dish the night before and bake in the morning.
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Bananas Foster Breakfast Strata
Bananas Foster Breakfast Strata Recipe
Got a sweet tooth? Then you'll love this dessert-inspired breakfast strata. Riffing on the much-loved Bananas Foster dessert from New Orleans, this creative strata calls for sweet rum-soaked bananas tossed with bread cubes and a mixture of half-and-half, sugar, eggs, and evaporated milk. The delicious streusel topping is a simple "icing" on the strata.
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Asparagus and Prosciutto Strata
Asparagus and Prosciutto Strata Recipe
Stratas don't have to always steal the breakfast, lunch, or dinner show. Veggie-rich side dish stratas go well with most meats and add interest to the plate. In this recipe, eggs and asparagus are a perfect pair, accented with salty prosciutto, chives, and lemon.
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Artichoke and Goat Cheese Strata
Artichoke and Goat Cheese Strata Recipe
Another side dish strata, this recipe pairs earthy, fiber-rich artichokes with salty goat and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses in addition to the usual eggs, milk, bread cubes, and spices.
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Spinach and Tomato Strata
Spinach and Tomato Strata Recipe
This spinach and tomato strata would be delicious served with roasted chicken or pan-fried pork chops. For best results, be sure to use a dense, chewy bread.
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Fontina, Asparagus, and Leek Strata
Fontina, Asparagus, and Leek Strata Recipe
Stratas are meant to be put together in advance and refrigerated overnight or at least 4 to 6 hours before baking, which makes them ideal for a plan-ahead brunch or supper. Instead of adding a final layer of bread to the top, I prefer to use breadcrumbs, which are less dense. For bread, use sturdy day-old sandwich bread or an Italian bread, sliced about 1/4-inch thick.
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Sweet Potato and Sausage Strata
Sweet Potato and Sausage Strata Recipe
This sweet and savory breakfast strata serves up a hearty mix of sausage, sweet potatoes, Monterey Jack cheese, and heady spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. A little maple syrup sweetens the deal. Serve with a glass of orange juice and fresh fruit.
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Ham, Gruyère and Spinach Strata
Ham, Gruyère and Spinach Strata Recipe
This ham, gruyère, and spinach strata is a great choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner alike. It's also the perfect way to use up leftover holiday ham and day-old bread.
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Cheddar, Ham and Spinach Strata
Cheddar, Ham and Spinach Strata Recipe
This nine-ingredient strata is both easy to whip up and delicious to eat. It can be served as a side dish, but the ham makes it hearty enough to stand on its own as a main entrée.
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Spinach and Mushroom Strata
Spinach and Mushroom Strata Recipe
This cheesy, meatless casserole is best served straight out of the oven, golden and bubbly.