Mohamed Shili This Ina Garten Breakfast Strata is prepared using cubed bread, uncooked bacon, fresh spinach, eggs, and whole milk. This savory Breakfast Strata recipe is a breakfast dish that takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 8 people.
Ina Garten Breakfast Strata Ingredients
- 8 cups (about a 12 ounce loaf) cubed bread
- 8 slices of uncooked bacon
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 3 packed cups fresh chopped spinach
- 1 and 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- 9 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- optional garnish: fresh ground black pepper, flaky sea salt, and/or extra parmesan cheese
How To Make Ina Garten Breakfast Strata
- Get Your Pan Ready: First off, grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and grease it up with some cooking oil.
- Layer Up the Bread: Toss the cubed bread into the dish, spreading it all out nice and even.
- Bacon Time: Cook the bacon according to the package until it’s crispy. Save one tablespoon of that bacon grease, then chop the bacon and scatter it over the bread.
- Sauté Time: Fire up the skillet again and throw in the chopped onions. Cook them until they’re soft, which should take about 4 minutes. Then, toss in the garlic and spinach and keep it moving until the spinach is wilted, about 2 to 3 more minutes.
- Cheese, Please: Once the veggies are done, spread them over the bread and bacon, and then sprinkle all that yummy cheese on top.
- Mix It Up: In a big bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, ground mustard, and black pepper. Pour this over everything in the baking dish.
- Chill Out: Cover the dish tightly with some foil and stick it in the fridge. You can leave it there for an hour or even overnight to let all those flavors get to know each other.
- Oven Time: When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 375°F (191°C). Pop the dish in the oven and bake it covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 30 to 35 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to get golden and the center to puff up.
- Finishing Touches: Take it out of the oven, and if you’re feeling fancy, throw on some extra garnishes. Let it cool off for 5 minutes before you dive in.
Recipe Tips
- Boost the veggies: When you’re sautéing the onions, throw in some chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and a nutritional kick.
- Switch up the cheese: If you’re feeling adventurous, mix in some sharp cheddar and Gruyère instead of parmesan to give your strata a rich, cheesy depth.
- Add a crunch: Sprinkle a mixture of breadcrumbs and melted butter on top before the last 20 minutes of baking for a delightfully crispy top layer.
- Infuse more herbs: Toss in some chopped fresh parsley and thyme with your eggs to amp up the fresh, herby taste of your dish.
What To Serve Breakfast Strata
Serve your hearty Breakfast Strata with some rosemary-roasted potatoes, a crisp arugula salad, steamed asparagus, caramelized onions, and sautéed mushrooms.
Want something different? Pair it with glazed carrots and a colorful beetroot and feta salad.
How To Store Leftovers Breakfast Strata
To Refrigerate: Cool your Breakfast Strata to room temperature, then pop it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: Freezing is an option, though the eggs might change texture a bit. Wrap the strata well in foil, stick it in a freezer bag, and it’ll be good for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge before you reheat.
How To Reheat Leftovers Breakfast Strata
In The Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F, cover the strata with foil to keep it moist, and bake until it’s heated through, about 20 minutes.
In The Microwave: Put a piece of the strata on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a damp paper towel to keep in the moisture, and heat on high until it’s warm all the way through.
In The Air Fryer: If you want it a bit crisp, warm the strata in the air fryer at 300°F for about 4 to 5 minutes. This keeps it nice and even.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Breakfast Strata ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare Breakfast Strata the night before. Just assemble all the layers in your baking dish, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. This actually allows the flavors to meld together nicely, enhancing the taste.
What kind of bread works best for Breakfast Strata?
Dense, sturdy bread like French bread or sourdough is ideal for Breakfast Strata because they absorbs the egg mixture well without becoming too soggy.
Is it possible to make This Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can easily make this dish vegetarian by omitting the bacon and adding more vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, or zucchini.
Ina Garten Breakfast Strata Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 140.6
- Total Fat 5.0 g
- Saturated Fat 0.5 g
- Cholesterol 64.2 mg
- Sodium 66.9 mg
- Potassium 67.2 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 5.9 g
- Dietary Fiber 0.8 g
- Sugars 0.2 g
- Protein 16.8 g
- Vitamin A 1.9%
- Vitamin C 0.4%
- Vitamin D 2.0%
- Calcium 4.3%
- Iron 2.4%
Try More Ina Garten Recipes:
- Barefoot Contessa Tea Sandwiches
- Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole
- Ina Garten Cinnamon Rolls
Ina Garten Breakfast Strata
Description
This Ina Garten Breakfast Strata is prepared using cubed bread, uncooked bacon, fresh spinach, eggs, and whole milk. This savory Breakfast Strata recipe is a breakfast dish that takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 8 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish (or one of a similar size) with cooking oil or grease it.
- Fill the pan with bread and spread it out in a single layer. Then, set the pan away.
- Follow the steps on the package for cooking bacon on the stove in a large skillet. Take out all but one tablespoon of the grease. (You could also drain it all and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil next.) Once the bacon is cool enough to handle, cut it up into small pieces. Put on top of bread.
- In an oiled pan, add the onion. On medium heat, cook for about 4 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and spinach. Cook, stirring every now and then, for about two to three minutes, or until the spinach has softened. Take it off the heat. Spread it out on the bread and bacon, and then cover it with all the cheese.
- In a big bowl, mix the eggs, milk, salt, ground mustard, and pepper together using a whisk. Spread out over the cheese. Put the lid on tightly and put it in the fridge for an hour or overnight (up to 12 to 16 hours).
- Take the dish out of the fridge and let it sit for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Warm the oven up to 375°F (191°C).
- Cover the dish and bake it for 20 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil in a loose way, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. It’s done when the sides are browned and the middle is puffed up. This process normally takes 50 to 55 minutes all together.
- Take it out of the oven, and if you want, put some garnishes on top. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Put extras in the fridge and tightly cover them. They will last for up to 5 days. Warm up again in the microwave.
