Creamy Egg Strata

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Made with Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, this strata recipe is worth waking up for.

Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata after baking
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Hands On Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
10 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
8 to 10

This strata recipe, prepared up to 24 hours in advance, is the stuff dreams are made of. Cubes of French bread are drizzled with butter, generously sprinkled with Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, and soaked with a luscious custard perfumed with onion, garlic, and a hint of nutmeg. The custard is made by preparing a roux, a base of butter and flour used to thicken a combination of chicken broth, white wine, and sour cream. Eggs are whisked in for a rich finish, and the mixture is poured over the bread to soak in and create a spoonable casserole when baked.

The prepped strata bakes for 30 minutes in the morning for a deliciously golden brown finish. Garnish with fresh chives before serving, and everyone will be waking up happy.

Learn how to make a creamy egg strata, and bookmark this recipe for future family brunches. It will be a hit.

What is a strata?

Similar to a breakfast casserole, a strata is typically a savory, bread-based dish, often prepared the night before and baked off in the morning. Most recipes call for the ingredients to be layered into the dish, leading to the name "strata" or "layers."

Ingredients for Creamy Egg Strata

French bread is flavored with butter, cheese, onion, garlic, sour cream, and eggs—what's not to love? To make egg strata, you'll need:

  • French bread loaf: The base of the strata. You can substitute the French bread with any type you prefer (or have leftover), including sourdough, Italian bread, or other lightly crusty varieties.
  • Butter: Soaks into the bread cubes to add richness to the strata.
  • Shredded Swiss and Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled over the bread cubes to create a gooey, cheesy layer in the strata. Feel free to substitute with types of shredded cheeses you prefer, including gruyere, Cheddar, pepper Jack, and more.
  • Onion and garlic: Build flavor in the strata.
  • All-purpose flour: Thickens the custardy base.
  • Chicken broth: While milk is a typical addition to strata, chicken broth is used here for a deep, savory flavor.
  • Dry white wine: Adds a light acidity that balances the richness of the strata.
  • Salt and pepper: Seasons the mixture.
  • Ground nutmeg: A classic addition to custardy bases, nutmeg adds a nutty warmth.
  • Sour cream: Adds a tangy creaminess to the custard.
  • Large eggs: Binds the base to help set the strata when baked.
  • Fresh chives: For a bright, oniony garnish.
Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata ingredients

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Creamy Egg Strata

If you haven't made a strata before, note that they're incredibly easy to throw together and bake up perfectly in the morning. No one will know you slept in! Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

  • Step 1. Prepare bread cubes: Place bread in a well-buttered 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 Tbsp. melted butter and cheeses.
  • Step 2. Make sour cream mixture: Melt remaining butter in a medium saucepan; add onion and garlic. Sauté until tender. Whisk in flour and cook until lightly browned. Whisk in broth and next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat; add sour cream and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Step 3. Finish egg mixture, and pour over bread: Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot sour cream mixture into eggs before whisking in the remaining sour cream mixture. Pour into baking dish.
  • Step 4. Cover and chill: Cover with plastic wrap, and chill 8 to 24 hours.
  • Step 5. Warm and bake strata: Let strata stand at room temperature 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap, and bake 30 minutes or until set. Serve immediately.

How To Store Creamy Egg Strata

This strata can be assembled and refrigerated up to 24 hours in advance. To make it further ahead, bake and cool completely. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a preheated 325ºF oven until hot throughout before serving.

Refrigerate leftover casserole for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months. Reheat in a preheated 325ºF oven until hot throughout before serving. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast option.

What To Serve With Creamy Egg Strata

This breakfast bake pairs well with all your brunch favorites. Serve with fresh fruit salad, bacon, crispy hash browns, or something sweet like warm cinnamon rolls for a hearty meal everyone will remember.

Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata with a serving scooped out to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

More Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes You'll Love

There's nothing better than waking up to a hot breakfast, and these sweet and savory recipes can all be prepared the night before so you won't have to wake up (too) early:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 (16-oz.) French bread loaf, cubed (about 5 cups)

  • 6 Tbsp. butter, divided

  • 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/3 cup chopped onion

  • 1 tsp. minced garlic

  • 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth

  • 3/4 cup dry white wine

  • 1/2 tsp. salt

  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

  • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 8 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • Garnish: chopped fresh chives

Directions

  1. Prepare bread cubes:

    Place bread cubes in a well-buttered 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Melt 3 Tbsp. butter, and drizzle over bread cubes. Sprinkle with cheeses.

    Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata adding the bread cubes and cheese to the dish

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Make sour cream mixture:

    Melt remaining 3 Tbsp. butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add onion and garlic. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes or until tender.

    Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata cooking the onion and garlic

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Whisk in flour until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Whisk in broth and next 4 ingredients until blended.

    Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata whisking in the liquid

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.

    Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata cooking the sauce until thickened

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Finish egg mixture, and pour over bread:

    Gradually whisk about one-fourth of hot sour cream mixture into eggs; add egg mixture to remaining sour cream mixture, whisking constantly.

    Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata whisking in the eggs

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Pour mixture over cheese in baking dish.

    Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata pouring the egg mixture into the casserole dish

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Cover and chill:

    Cover with plastic wrap, and chill 8 to 24 hours.

    Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata covering and chilling before baking

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  5. Warm and bake strata:

    Let strata stand at room temperature 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap, and bake 30 minutes or until set. Serve immediately.

    Southern Living Creamy Egg Strata after baking

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Should I use fresh or stale bread for strata?

    Fresh or leftover bread can both be used to make strata. Stale bread tends to hold its shape better after soaking, but both will be delicious.

  • Does strata have to rest before cooking?

    This strata needs to rest for at least 8 hours before baking to give the bread time to soak up the liquid in the mixture.

  • What else can I add to egg strata before baking?

    From roasted red peppers to grape tomatoes, spinach, crispy bacon, or herbs like parsley and thyme, feel free to get creative with the additions to this strata.

  • How do I know when my egg strata is ready?

    When the strata is baked, it should be golden brown and set (not jiggly) in the center.

Additional reporting by
Katie Rosenhouse
Katie Rosenhouse
Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer.

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