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Breakfast Strata Warm Casserole

This make-ahead breakfast strata is basically a fancy bread pudding that'll make you look like a brunch superstar! Assemble it the night before, pop it in the oven in the morning, and you've got a warm, comforting breakfast that feeds the whole crew. Perfect for those chilly mornings when you want something hearty but don't want to spend all morning in the kitchen.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound breakfast sausage
  • 1 loaf day-old French bread cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2½ cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 green onions sliced (optional)

Method
 

  1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Spread half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Top with half the cooked sausage and half the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining bread, sausage, and cheese.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
  5. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread layers, pressing down gently with a spatula to help the bread soak up the liquid. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove strata from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature while oven heats.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until golden brown on top and set in the center. A knife inserted in the middle should come out clean.
  8. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired and serve warm.