Christmas Morning Breakfast Strata
This Christmas Morning Breakfast Strata is cozy, cheesy, and festive! Layers of whole grain bread, turkey bacon, and melted cheddar soaked in a seasoned custard make holiday mornings magical.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 8 slices Whole grain bread
- 1 cup Cooked turkey bacon chopped
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Milk
- 6 Large eggs
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cube 8 slices of whole grain bread into roughly 1-inch pieces and set aside. If your turkey bacon isn’t pre-cooked, cook it now until crisp, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, crack 6 large eggs. Add 1 cup of milk along with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Whisk everything together until thoroughly combined and a bit frothy.
- Spray or butter your 9x9-inch baking dish lightly. Layer half the cubed bread evenly in the dish. Sprinkle half the chopped turkey bacon and half the shredded cheddar cheese on top. Repeat with the remaining bread, bacon, and cheese layers.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture over the layered strata, pressing down gently with a spatula to help the bread soak up the custard. Let stand for at least 15 minutes, or cover and refrigerate overnight for best results.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until the strata is puffed and golden on top. Insert a knife in the center to check if it comes out clean.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of freshly chopped parsley over the hot strata for a bright, fresh finish. Slice into squares and serve warm alongside your favorite holiday sides or a fresh fruit salad.
Equipment
- 9x9-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Aluminum foil
- Spatula
Notes
- For best texture, use slightly stale or lightly toasted bread cubes to prevent sogginess.
- Assemble the strata the night before and refrigerate for a more flavorful, cohesive bake.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze tightly for up to 2 months.
- Try adding sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition and flavor.
- To make dairy-free, substitute cheddar cheese with a dairy-free alternative and use almond or coconut milk.
