This Bacon Cheddar Breakfast Strata will be the star of your New Year’s Day brunch!
Is there anything better than waking up and knowing that a cozy homemade breakfast is ready and waiting? This recipe is one that I guarantee you’ll want on hand. Whether it’s a special meal that you’re planning for, a lazy Sunday brunch, or just because you can’t resist a mouthwatering dish where comfort is the main ingredient…bacon cheddar breakfast strata has got you covered!
WHAT IS A STRATA, YOU MIGHT ASK?
simplest put: a breakfast casserole
best put: a soufflé-like casserole, all puffed and golden. At its core – eggs, cheese and bread; at its best – enhanced with a plethora of luscious add-ins
We tried something a little different for Christmas this year…we made brunch the highlight (meal) of the day, and with that, Chelsea made a most decadent and delicious strata. Loaded with spinach and swiss, Gruyere and Parm, along with all sorts of herbs and spices – it was a hit(!), which got me to thinking…strata would make the perfect meal on New Year’s Day, especially after a night of celebrating.
WHY IS STRATA THE PERFECT MEAL (FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY), YOU MIGHT ASK?
It’s prepped the day before! Which means, when you’re ready to eat – all that’s left to do is – preheat the oven, pop in the strata, put the coffee on, pluck confetti out of your hair, and look forward to a most gorgeous and savory meal.
Let’s go!
INGREDIENTS FOR OUR BACON CHEDDAR BREAKFAST STRATA:
- whole milk
- eggs
- Dijon mustard
- red pepper flakes
- salt & pepper
- butter
- fresh garlic
- green onions
- frozen chopped spinach
- shredded extra-sharp cheddar
- shredded Gruyere
- grated Parmesan
- bacon
Hard to believe we’re nearing the end of 2020. In some ways it flew by, yet in others, 2021 has been a long time coming. Either way – we are here, and I for one, am ready. There’s something so wonderful about the clean-slate feeling that accompanies the turn of the page, the roll of the calendar. I love this week, the days between Christmas and New Year, this space where reflection and anticipation marry, where compelling thoughts about where we’ve come from and where we are headed are born. Good stuff. Good good stuff.
I’d like to take this moment to say how grateful I am for you…how grateful I am for your support. Thank you! Thank you!
Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy and abundant new year!
Cheers!
Bacon Cheddar Breakfast Strata
Description
This Bacon Cheddar Breakfast Strata will be the star of your New Year’s Day brunch!
Ingredients
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups whole milk
10 large eggs
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter plus more for preparing casserole dish
4 plump cloves of garlic
1 cup sliced green onions
20 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 loaf challah bread, about 6 cups, cubed
1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar, divided
1 cup Gruyere cheese, divided
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, divided
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, Dijon and red pepper flakes. Add half of the crumbled bacon; season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Melt 6 Tbsp. butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
Stir chopped garlic, green onions and spinach until heated through, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
Prepare an 11×13 casserole dish with butter.
Place bread in the casserole dish. Pour butter mixture over and gently combine.
Pour milk mixture evenly over the top. Stir in 3/4 cup cheddar, 3/4 cup Gruyere, and 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan.
Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Remove strata from the refrigerator, let sit for 30 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheddar, 1/4 cup Gruyere, Parmesan, and bacon.
Place into oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until puffed, golden and cooked through.
Notes
This dish is fabulous as is, although my family loves it with a drizzle of hot sauce once it’s plated.
This bacon cheddar strata is the breakfast of my dreams! It looks amazing, Annie!
It’s a keeper! Thanks, Michelle!
Can’t beat waking up to a delicious breakfast! I love having that to look forward to. Happy New Year to you my dear Annie!
We are on the same page, my friend!!
I love the idea of brunching for the highlight meal. And this strata is perfect for that… and I love that it’s make ahead ready. An easy morning for everyone! Happy New Year, Annie!
We changed it up this year, and it was great! Thank you, dear! Happy New Year, Traci!!
I love the idea of brunch as the highlight meal for Christmas! It really is magical to wake up and know that you have a delicious meal just waiting to be popped into the oven. This strata looks truly divine, Annie. Perfect for our New Year’s Day! Wishing you and your family a healthy and joyful New Year!
Thank you, Marissa! Wishing you a wonderful year, my friend!
I would love to wake up to this beautiful dish any day of the year 🙂 Happy New Year to you and yours, Annie 🙂
You betcha! 🙂 Happy New Year, my friend!! 🙂
Oooooooh I love this! I like that you included spinach, and love the cheeses. This kind of dish is so nice when I have overnight company, which hasn’t happened for a while, but I’m saving the recipe! Happy New Year!
Exactly! This is a good one to keep in your back pocket! Thanks, Mimi! Happy New Year, my friend!