Ina Garten Breakfast Strata Recipe

Ina Garten’s Breakfast Strata is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weekend brunch or a special holiday breakfast. This savory casserole is made with layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and your favorite mix-ins like sausage or vegetables. The best part? It can be prepared the night before, making it an easy, make-ahead option for busy mornings.

What is Ina Garten Breakfast Strata?

A breakfast strata is a savory bread pudding made with layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and various fillings like sausage, bacon, or vegetables. The ingredients are soaked overnight, allowing the flavors to meld together, and then baked in the morning until golden and puffy. Ina Garten’s version of this classic breakfast dish is rich, cheesy, and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Other Popular Recipes

• Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine
• Ina Garten White Cake
• Ina Garten Lemon Blueberry Bread

Why You Should Try This Recipe

• Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the night before, so you can just pop it in the oven the next morning.
• Versatile: You can add your favorite ingredients like spinach, mushrooms, or ham to suit your tastes.
• Perfect for Brunch: Ideal for feeding a crowd at holiday gatherings, family breakfasts, or weekend brunch.
• Rich and Savory: The combination of eggs, cheese, and bread creates a deliciously creamy texture with a golden top.

Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• 10 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (sourdough or French bread works best)
• 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled (I used beef lamb sausage)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup spinach (optional)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or Cheddar, Swiss)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions to Make Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Cook the sausage: In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and crumbled. Remove and drain on a paper towel. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach (if using) and cook until wilted. Set aside.
• Grease the baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Layer the Bread and Fillings

• Layer the bread cubes: Arrange half of the bread cubes evenly in the greased baking dish.
• Add sausage and cheese: Sprinkle half of the cooked sausage, sautéed onions, spinach, and shredded Gruyère cheese over the bread.
• Add another layer: Repeat with another layer of bread cubes, sausage, onions, spinach, and cheese.

Step 3: Prepare the Egg Mixture

• Whisk the eggs and dairy: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until well combined.
• Pour over the strata: Slowly pour the egg mixture over the bread and sausage layers, ensuring that all the bread is soaked with the egg mixture.

Step 4: Refrigerate Overnight

• Cover and chill: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to absorb the egg mixture, resulting in a rich and custardy texture.

Step 5: Bake the Strata

• Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake: Remove the strata from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
• Cool: Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 6: Serve the Breakfast Strata

• Garnish and serve: Garnish the strata with fresh parsley and serve warm. It pairs perfectly with a side of fruit or a light salad.

What Goes Well with Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• Fresh Fruit Salad: A light fruit salad adds a refreshing contrast to the rich strata.
• Breakfast Potatoes: Serve alongside crispy breakfast potatoes for a hearty meal.
• Mixed Greens Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great complement to the savory flavors of the strata.
• Mimosas or Coffee: Complete your brunch with a classic mimosa or a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

Essential Tips for Perfecting Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• Use day-old bread: Day-old or slightly stale bread works best because it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.
• Let it soak: For the best texture, allow the strata to soak overnight in the refrigerator to fully absorb the egg mixture.
• Check for doneness: The strata is done when it’s golden brown on top and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out clean.
• Customize the fillings: Feel free to swap out the sausage for bacon, or ham, or even make it vegetarian with extra vegetables.

Variations of Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• Vegetarian Strata: Omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini.
• Cheddar and Bacon Strata: Use sharp Cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon for a classic flavor combination.
• Spinach and Feta Strata: Add spinach and crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist.
• Mexican Strata: Add diced green chiles, jalapeños, and Mexican cheese blend for a spicy variation.

Storing Ina Garten Breakfast Strata: Best Practices

• Refrigerate leftovers: Store any leftover strata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze for later: You can freeze baked strata by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating Ina Garten Breakfast Strata: Best Practices

• Oven method: Reheat the strata in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
• Microwave option: For individual portions, reheat in the microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes.

How Can I Make Ina Garten Breakfast Strata Healthier?

To make this recipe lighter, try these adjustments:

• Use whole grain bread: Swap out the white bread for whole grain or whole wheat bread to add more fiber.
• Use turkey sausage: Substitute pork sausage with turkey sausage or a vegetarian sausage alternative.
• Low-fat dairy: Use low-fat milk and reduce the amount of heavy cream for a lighter version.
• Add more vegetables: Incorporate extra veggies like tomatoes, mushrooms, or bell peppers for added nutrients.

Nutrition Value (Per Serving)

• Calories: 380
• Protein: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 200mg
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g

FAQs

Can I make breakfast strata the night before?

Yes, breakfast strata is ideal for making the night before. Preparing it in advance allows the bread to absorb the egg mixture fully, resulting in a richer, creamier texture. Simply cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake the next morning.

How do I keep my breakfast strata from getting soggy?

To prevent a soggy strata, use day-old or slightly stale bread, which absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too soft. Make sure to bake the strata long enough so the center sets and isn’t too wet.

Can I freeze breakfast strata?

Yes, breakfast strata can be frozen. After baking, allow it to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven before serving.

What can I add to breakfast strata for extra flavor?

You can customize your breakfast strata by adding ingredients like sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, or different types of cheese. You can also add herbs like thyme or rosemary for additional flavor.

FAQs

Can I make breakfast strata the night before?

Yes, breakfast strata is ideal for making the night before. Preparing it in advance allows the bread to absorb the egg mixture fully, resulting in a richer, creamier texture. Simply cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake the next morning.

How do I keep my breakfast strata from getting soggy?

To prevent a soggy strata, use day-old or slightly stale bread, which absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too soft. Make sure to bake the strata long enough so the center sets and isn’t too wet.

Can I freeze breakfast strata?

Yes, breakfast strata can be frozen. After baking, allow it to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven before serving.

What can I add to breakfast strata for extra flavor?

You can customize your breakfast strata by adding ingredients like sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, or different types of cheese. You can also add herbs like thyme or rosemary for additional flavor.

Final Words

Ina Garten’s Breakfast Strata is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast dish that’s both comforting and delicious. With layers of bread, sausage, cheese, and eggs, it’s a rich and satisfying dish perfect for brunch or special occasions.

Other Yummy Recipes:

• Ina Garten Green Bean Casserole
• Ina Garten Butternut Squash Lasagna
• Ina Garten Seafood Lasagna
• Ina Garten Crab Cakes
• Ina Garten Cottage Pie

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