Description
This Italian Breakfast Strata is a rich and hearty casserole made with layers of savory sausage, fresh spinach, fontina cheese, and Italian bread, all soaked in a flavorful egg custard. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, this dish is easy to prepare the night before, making it a crowd-pleasing and comforting choice for any gathering.
Ingredients
1 large loaf Italian or French bread
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more to grease the baking dish
12 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed
1 yellow onion, diced
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
⅛ teaspoon dried rosemary
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 pound baby spinach
12 large eggs
2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 cups milk
8 ounces fontina or fontal cheese, shredded
Instructions
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Prepare the Bread: Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and leave them uncovered overnight to become stale.
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Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it apart, until it begins to brown. Add onions, salt, black pepper, cayenne, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Cook until onions soften and become translucent.
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Wilt the Spinach: Transfer the sausage mixture to a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of rendered sausage fat to the skillet and heat. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat, strain, cool, and squeeze out excess water. Chop or snip spinach into small pieces.
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Prepare the Egg Mixture: Whisk eggs with salt until well combined. Add milk and set aside.
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Assemble the Strata: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil. Layer the bottom with stale bread cubes, then top with 60% of the sausage mixture, 60% of the spinach, and half of the cheese. Add another layer of bread cubes, pressing lightly. Add the remaining sausage, spinach, and pour the egg mixture over the casserole. Top with the remaining cheese.
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Refrigerate Overnight: Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
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Bake the Strata: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until the top is golden and the center reaches 150°F (66°C).
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Let Rest: Allow the strata to rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Vegetarian Strata: Skip the sausage and substitute with sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables.
Cheese Swap: Try mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix of cheeses instead of fontina.
Herb Variations: Add fresh basil or parsley for additional flavor.
Spicy Strata: For extra heat, increase the cayenne or add red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Stand Time: 10 minutes: Soak Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
