Italian Breakfast Strata is a delicious and satisfying baked dish that’s perfect for brunches, holidays, or make-ahead breakfasts. Layered with rustic bread, eggs, cheese, Italian sausage, and vibrant vegetables, this savory casserole is like an elevated version of a frittata – rich, hearty, and full of flavor.
The beauty of a strata lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Day-old bread cubes (often ciabatta or sourdough) are layered in a baking dish and soaked in a seasoned egg and milk mixture. This base is then combined with ingredients like sautéed Italian sausage, bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, and lots of melty cheese, typically mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone. The mixture is allowed to rest, often overnight, so the bread fully absorbs the custard and all the savory flavors meld together.
Baking transforms the strata into a golden, puffed-up dish with a creamy center and a slightly crisp top. The result is a sliceable, crowd-pleasing breakfast that’s easy to prepare in advance and can feed a family or group with minimal effort. It’s also a great way to use up leftovers or incorporate fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano for added freshness and Italian flair.
Whether served with a side salad, fresh fruit, or just a good cup of coffee, Italian Breakfast Strata brings comfort and elegance to your breakfast table. It’s ideal for festive mornings like Christmas, Easter, or Mother’s Day, or any time you want a warm, make-ahead breakfast that feels special.
Ingredients
- 6 slices Italian bread cubed
- 1 cup cooked ham diced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 6 eggs large
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer with ham, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Top with remaining bread cubes.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs. Mix in milk, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour egg mixture over bread cubes. Press the bread cubes down with a fork to ensure they are completely saturated with the egg mixture.
- Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Not a fan. The texture was off for me. Maybe I did something wrong? But it just didn’t hit right.
So good! Made it for my friends and it disappeared in minutes! 🍽️
Yummy!!! Perfect for brunch! I added some spinach just for extra veggies. 😋
This is a fantastic recipe! Super easy and so delicious. My family loved it!
Wow! This is the best breakfast ever! Gonna make it every Sunday!
Glad to hear you loved it! Simple and tasty, right? Perfect for Sundays!
I didn’t really get this. Isn’t strata supposed to be a type of cheese? I’m confused. Anyway, it tasted fine.
Uh, this is just a fancy bread pudding, right? But I like it anyway.
I dunno, I thought strata was supposed to be more like a casserole. This isn’t how my grandma made it! 🤔
Disapointing, I overcooked it. Followed the time exactly but it came out too dry. :'(
Ehh, I thought it was overrated. It was just bread and eggs like my grandma made, but not as good.
I totally get what you mean! It does sound pretty basic when you break it down. Sometimes old family recipes just have that special touch!
Not bad, but I think it needed more seasoning. Maybe some garlic would help?
I tried this but forgot the cheese… oops. Still okay I guess.
No cheese?! That’s like making pizza without sauce! But I guess it could still be decent.
This was SO good! My family loved it. I added some spinach too!
Is 1 cup of ham really enough? Felt like I shoulda added more.
I added some spinach & it was really good! Great brunch idea!
Spinach sounds like a great addition! I might try that next time! 😋
Made this for the family, they all eat it even my picky son! 10 stars if I could! ☆☆☆☆☆☆
I love strata! This one sounds good, but a little basic.
A little basic? Looks like a great way to use leftover bread though. I’m not a chef, but I think it sounds yummy!
I find it basic too, but sometimes simple is best! You can always add more spices or veggies if you want to jazz it up.
This was so delicious! The kids loved it and it was easy to make. Will definitely make again!
I tried this and it was kinda bland. Maybe more cheese would help? Just my opinion.
I totally get what you’re saying! A little extra cheese never hurts. Maybe some herbs too for flavor? Just a thought!
I don’t know how I feel about mixing eggs and bread… sounds kinda weird.
I thought the same thing at first! But it’s actually super tasty and the bread soaks up the eggs. Give it a try!
Mixing eggs with bread? That sounds gross to me. Why not just have them separate? Don’t get it.
My strata didn’t rise properly, is that normal? 😕
Would you use regular bread instead of Italian? I can’t get that here.