Ina Garten Breakfast Strata Recipe
Ina Garten Breakfast Strata Recipe is warm, cheesy and perfect for mornings. It is easy to prepare and great for family brunch.
Ingredients
- 6 cups day-old bread cubed
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked sausage crumbled
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter for greasing
Instructions
Prepare the Baking Dish
- Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter. Make sure all sides are covered well. This prevents sticking and helps easy serving later.
Cook the Sausage and Onion
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage until browned. Add diced onion and cook until soft. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Arrange the Bread
- Spread cubed bread evenly in the greased baking dish. Make sure bread covers the bottom completely. This creates the base layer.
Add Fillings
- Sprinkle cooked sausage mixture over bread. Add chopped spinach evenly. Then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Prepare the Egg Mixture
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Pour and Soak
- Slowly pour egg mixture over bread and fillings. Press bread gently so it absorbs liquid. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
Bake the Strata
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for about 45 minutes. The top should be golden brown and center set.
Rest and Serve
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes. This helps it firm up. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for better texture.
- Let the bread soak well before baking.
- Do not skip resting time after baking.
- Use fresh spinach for best flavor.
- Shred cheese yourself for better melting.