Cheesy Breakfast Strata With Roast Cherry Tomatoes (Printable version)
Comforting layers of bread, cheese, and eggs topped with caramelized cherry tomatoes for a satisfying breakfast.
# Ingredient List:
→ Bread and Dairy
01 - 8 cups day-old crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
04 - 6 large eggs
05 - 2 cups whole milk
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
→ Vegetables
07 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
09 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Flavorings & Seasonings
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
13 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 2 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment. Toss cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, pinch of salt, and pepper. Spread cut side up and roast 15 minutes until softened and caramelized. Set aside.
02 - Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Grease 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
03 - Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - In large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
05 - Add bread cubes to custard mixture. Toss gently to coat evenly. Stir in sautéed onion, spinach, cheddar, and Gruyère.
06 - Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Arrange roasted cherry tomatoes evenly over top.
07 - Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake 30 minutes to allow bread to absorb custard.
08 - Remove foil and continue baking 20-25 minutes until golden brown and set in center. A knife inserted should come out clean.
09 - Let strata cool 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh chives or parsley. Serve warm.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything can be prepped the night before so you wake up like a breakfast hero with zero morning stress
- The combination of sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyre creates this incredible depth that feels restaurant fancy but takes 20 minutes hands on time
02 -
- Let the assembled strata sit for at least 15 minutes before baking so the bread can really drink up that custard, though overnight in the fridge is even better
- The center might still look slightly jiggly when you pull it out, but it will continue to set as it rests for those crucial 10 minutes
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded, which has anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
- Cut your bread into slightly uneven cubes rather than perfect squares so you get varied textures from edges to centers