Description
This savory strata recipe is a delicious layered casserole featuring challah bread, sautéed vegetables, and Gruyère cheese soaked in a seasoned egg and milk mixture, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a comforting dinner, this easy-to-make casserole is flavorful, hearty, and can be prepared ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Cheese
- 4 cups challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 ½ cups grated Gruyère cheese
Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper, cooking until they are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Then add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Layer Ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, arrange half of the challah bread cubes evenly. Spread the sautéed vegetable mixture over the bread, then sprinkle half of the grated Gruyère cheese. Repeat these layers with the remaining bread cubes, vegetables, and cheese.
- Whisk Eggs and Pour: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, and ground mustard until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the baking dish. Press down gently with a spatula to help the bread absorb the egg mixture.
- Soak and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the liquid. Then place it in the oven and bake covered for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the strata is golden brown on top and set in the center.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the strata from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the strata to set properly and makes it easier to cut.
Notes
- The soaking step is key for a custardy texture; do not skip it.
- Challah bread is ideal due to its richness, but brioche or other white bread can be substituted.
- Gruyère cheese adds a creamy, nutty flavor but Swiss or mozzarella can work as alternatives.
- For added flavor, consider adding cooked sausage or mushrooms in the vegetable layer.
- This dish can be prepared the night before; cover and refrigerate after layering, then bake in the morning.
