Italian Breakfast Strata is a delicious and satisfying baked dish that’s perfect for brunches, holidays, or make-ahead breakfasts. Layered with rustic bread, eggs, cheese, Italian sausage, and vibrant vegetables, this savory casserole is like an elevated version of a frittata – rich, hearty, and full of flavor.
The beauty of a strata lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Day-old bread cubes (often ciabatta or sourdough) are layered in a baking dish and soaked in a seasoned egg and milk mixture. This base is then combined with ingredients like sautéed Italian sausage, bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, and lots of melty cheese, typically mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone. The mixture is allowed to rest, often overnight, so the bread fully absorbs the custard and all the savory flavors meld together.
Baking transforms the strata into a golden, puffed-up dish with a creamy center and a slightly crisp top. The result is a sliceable, crowd-pleasing breakfast that’s easy to prepare in advance and can feed a family or group with minimal effort. It’s also a great way to use up leftovers or incorporate fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano for added freshness and Italian flair.
Whether served with a side salad, fresh fruit, or just a good cup of coffee, Italian Breakfast Strata brings comfort and elegance to your breakfast table. It’s ideal for festive mornings like Christmas, Easter, or Mother’s Day, or any time you want a warm, make-ahead breakfast that feels special.
Ingredients
- 6 slices Italian bread cubed
- 1 cup cooked ham diced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 6 eggs large
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer with ham, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Top with remaining bread cubes.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs. Mix in milk, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour egg mixture over bread cubes. Press the bread cubes down with a fork to ensure they are completely saturated with the egg mixture.
- Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Not a fan. The texture was off for me. Maybe I did something wrong? But it just didn’t hit right.
Yummy!!! Perfect for brunch! I added some spinach just for extra veggies. 😋
Wow! This is the best breakfast ever! Gonna make it every Sunday!
Glad to hear you loved it! Simple and tasty, right? Perfect for Sundays!
I didn’t really get this. Isn’t strata supposed to be a type of cheese? I’m confused. Anyway, it tasted fine.
I dunno, I thought strata was supposed to be more like a casserole. This isn’t how my grandma made it! 🤔
Disapointing, I overcooked it. Followed the time exactly but it came out too dry. :'(
Ehh, I thought it was overrated. It was just bread and eggs like my grandma made, but not as good.
I totally get what you mean! It does sound pretty basic when you break it down. Sometimes old family recipes just have that special touch!
Not bad, but I think it needed more seasoning. Maybe some garlic would help?
This was SO good! My family loved it. I added some spinach too!
Made this for the family, they all eat it even my picky son! 10 stars if I could! ☆☆☆☆☆☆
This was so delicious! The kids loved it and it was easy to make. Will definitely make again!
I tried this and it was kinda bland. Maybe more cheese would help? Just my opinion.
I totally get what you’re saying! A little extra cheese never hurts. Maybe some herbs too for flavor? Just a thought!