Breakfast strata is layered with bread, ham, sautéed spinach, and onions, then soaked overnight in a creamy egg custard and baked in the morning. It's perfect for special occasions!
Prep Time: 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 50 minutesminutes
Chill Time: 1 hourhour
Total Time: 2 hourshours20 minutesminutes
Servings: 10
Ingredients
8cups (12-ounce loaf)cubed bread(sourdough or baguette)
1cupdiced ham
3Tablespoonssalted butter
½cup chopped onion
3garlic cloves, minced
1(16-ounce) bagfrozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1cupgrated gruyere
½cupsgrated parmesan cheese, or Gruyere
9largeeggs
2cupshalf-and-half, or whole milk
1teaspoonKosher salt
½teaspoonground mustard
¼teaspoonground black pepper
¼teaspoonground nutmeg, optional
Instructions
Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently 5 minutes, or translucent. Stir in garlic and spinach. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more.
Working in batches, arrange half of the bread in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the ham and 1/2 spinach mixture. Repeat with remaining bread, ham, and spinach mixture. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, half-and-half, mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if using, until combined. Pour evenly over the top. Cover tightly and chill at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove the strata from the fridge and let sit while the oven heats. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil, and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until puffed, set, and golden brown all over top. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Fresh spinach: Swap frozen for 3 cups, packed, fresh spinach.Storage: Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure it has completely cooled before you place the lid on it.Freeze:Prepare casserole up until chilling. Cover with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature, and bake.