Christmas Breakfast Strata: The Perfect Make-Ahead Holiday Meal

Imagine a Christmas morning free from kitchen chaos. Instead of rushing, you simply preheat the oven and bake a dish you prepared the night before. This Christmas Breakfast Strata is the key to that serene, delicious holiday morning you’ve always dreamed of.

This recipe combines crusty bread, savory sausage, rich eggs, and sharp cheddar cheese into a golden, puffy casserole. It’s an incredibly satisfying and festive dish that feeds a crowd with minimal morning effort. Let this strata become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Breakfast Strata Recipe

• Perfectly Designed for Holidays: Assemble it the night before and let the flavors meld overnight. On Christmas morning, all you have to do is bake and serve.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The combination of savory sausage, eggs, and cheese is a classic that everyone at your table will adore.
• Effortlessly Customizable: Easily swap the sausage for bacon, add your favorite vegetables, or try a different blend of cheeses. This recipe is a fantastic template.
• Hearty and Satisfying: This isn’t a light bite; it’s a substantial, comforting meal that will fuel a full day of festive fun, much like a good hearty beef casserole.

What is a Breakfast Strata?

A strata is essentially a savory bread pudding. The name “strata” means “layers” in Italian, which perfectly describes the construction of this dish. It’s made from layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and other fillings like meat or vegetables.

The bread soaks in a rich egg custard, and as it bakes, it puffs up to create a dish that’s wonderfully crisp on top and soft and custardy in the center. It’s a brilliant way to use up day-old bread and transform it into an elegant, impressive breakfast or brunch centerpiece.

The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Strata

The beauty of a strata lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create the perfect foundation for your Christmas Breakfast Strata.

• Bread: A sturdy, day-old bread is crucial. A crusty sourdough, French bread, or challah works best as it can absorb the custard without becoming mushy.
• Sausage: A pound of breakfast sausage adds a wonderful savory and slightly spicy flavor. Feel free to use mild, medium, or hot, depending on your preference.
• Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese provides a tangy, delicious flavor that cuts through the richness of the eggs and sausage. Gruyère or a mix of cheeses would also be fantastic.
• Eggs & Dairy: A dozen large eggs form the base of the custard, enriched with whole milk and a touch of heavy cream for extra decadence.
• Aromatics: Onion and garlic create a deep flavor base, while a pinch of dry mustard powder and nutmeg enhances the cheesy, savory notes.

How to Make the Ultimate Christmas Breakfast Strata

This recipe is all about simple steps and smart preparation. Follow this guide for a flawless result every time.

1. Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet, cook the breakfast sausage over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in the minced garlic for the last minute until fragrant, then drain any excess grease.
2. Prepare the Bread: While the sausage cooks, cube your day-old bread and spread it evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Layer the Ingredients: Sprinkle the cooked sausage and onion mixture over the bread cubes. Top with the shredded cheddar cheese, distributing it evenly.
4. Mix the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, dry mustard, and a pinch of nutmeg. Ensure everything is thoroughly combined.
5. Soak Overnight: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread to ensure it’s submerged in the custard. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight. This step is non-negotiable for the best texture!
6. Bake to Perfection: The next morning, remove the strata from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 55-65 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown and puffy. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Want to guarantee your strata is the star of the show? Keep these expert tips in mind.

• Use Dry, Stale Bread: This is the most important tip! Dry bread acts like a sponge, soaking up the custard beautifully. Fresh bread will result in a soggy strata. If your bread is fresh, cube it and bake it at a low temperature (300°F) for 15-20 minutes to dry it out.
• Don’t Skip the Overnight Rest: Allowing the strata to sit overnight is crucial. This gives the bread ample time to absorb the custard fully, resulting in a cohesive, flavorful casserole.
• Bring to Room Temperature: Letting the dish sit on the counter for 30 minutes before baking helps it cook more evenly and prevents the cold glass dish from cracking in the hot oven.
• Check for Doneness: The strata is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent it loosely with foil for the remainder of the baking time.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic recipe, feel free to get creative. This dish is incredibly versatile, just like many one-pan chicken and rice casseroles.

• Vegetarian Delight: Omit the sausage and add 2-3 cups of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, and kale.
• Bacon and Gruyère: Swap the sausage for a pound of crispy, crumbled bacon and the cheddar for nutty Gruyère cheese.
• Spicy Southwest: Use chorizo instead of breakfast sausage, add a can of diced green chiles, and use a Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

This Christmas Breakfast Strata is the ultimate make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. For a make-ahead dessert to go with it, consider some festive holiday cookie recipes.

What to Serve with Your Breakfast Strata

While this strata is a complete meal on its own, a few simple sides can round out your Christmas breakfast perfectly.

• Fresh Fruit Salad: A bowl of fresh berries, melon, and citrus provides a light and refreshing contrast to the rich strata.
• Coffee and Juice: A pot of freshly brewed coffee and glasses of orange juice are essential.
• Festive Mimosas: For the adults, a celebratory mimosa is the perfect pairing for this special occasion dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Perfect Christmas Breakfast Awaits

This Christmas Breakfast Strata recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a strategy for a peaceful and delicious holiday morning. By preparing it the night before, you give yourself the gift of time to spend with your loved ones. We know this will become a cherished recipe in your family for years to come.

If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Share a photo on Pinterest and let us know how you enjoyed it in the comments below!

Christmas Breakfast Strata Recipe

FL Recipes

Christmas Breakfast Strata: The Perfect Make-Ahead Holiday Meal

This Christmas Breakfast Strata is the perfect make-ahead holiday meal! A savory and delicious casserole with layers of bread, sausage, egg, and cheese, prepared the night before for a stress-free Christmas morning.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe WhatsApp

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 loaf day-old crusty bread (about 16 oz) cubed into 1-inch pieces
• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 12 large eggs
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dry mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg freshly grated if possible

Equipment

• 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Large Mixing Bowl

Method

 

1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the cubed bread evenly in the bottom of the dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. Drain excess grease.
3. Sprinkle the sausage mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Top with the shredded cheddar cheese.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, dry mustard powder, and nutmeg until well combined.
5. Pour the egg custard evenly over the ingredients in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure it is saturated. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
6. The next morning, remove the strata from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Bake uncovered for 55-65 minutes, until the strata is puffed, golden brown, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalProtein: 25gFat: 30gFiber: 2g

Notes

Tip 1: Using day-old, stale bread is the secret to a strata that isn't soggy. If your bread is fresh, cube it and toast it lightly in the oven to dry it out.
Tip 2: Don't skip the overnight chilling step! This allows the bread to fully absorb the rich custard, which is crucial for the perfect texture.
Tip 3: Feel free to customize with different meats, cheeses, or vegetables like sautéed mushrooms and spinach.

Keyword christmas breakfast strata,make ahead breakfast casserole,overnight breakfast strata

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Pin Recipe