Spinach Mushroom Strata is a savory, comforting dish that’s perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. This casserole-style dish combines layers of sautéed spinach, earthy mushrooms, and hearty bread, all bound together with a rich, creamy custard. The result is a flavorful and satisfying meal that is both nourishing and easy to prepare. With its combination of vegetables, bread, and eggs, it’s a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet while enjoying a hearty, filling dish.
The base of this strata is made with day-old bread, which soaks up the creamy custard mixture made from eggs, milk (or a dairy-free alternative), and seasonings. The bread becomes soft and fluffy, but still maintains some texture, allowing the dish to hold together well. The spinach and mushrooms are sautéed together until tender, then layered with the bread and custard, creating a beautiful balance of flavors and textures.
Sautéing the mushrooms and spinach beforehand ensures that excess moisture is removed, so the strata doesn’t become soggy. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms complement the mild bitterness of the spinach, creating a savory combination that works beautifully in this dish. You can add additional seasonings such as garlic, thyme, or nutmeg for an extra burst of flavor. For a creamy finish, a sprinkle of cheese, such as mozzarella or Parmesan, can be added to the top before baking, creating a delicious, golden-brown crust.
Spinach Mushroom Strata is a great make-ahead dish, as it can be assembled the night before and baked the next morning. This makes it an ideal option for a busy brunch or holiday breakfast. It’s also flexible, add your favorite herbs or swap the spinach for kale, or try adding other vegetables like bell peppers or onions.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch, enjoying a quiet weekend morning, or looking for a simple weeknight dinner, Spinach Mushroom Strata is a satisfying, savory dish that will fill your home with delicious aromas. It’s a perfect way to enjoy vegetables in a warm, comforting, and crowd-pleasing form.
Ingredients
- 10 oz spinach chopped, fresh
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 2 cups milk whole or 2%
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 8 cups bread cubed – stale bread works best
- 6 eggs large, beaten
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper ground
- 2 tbsp butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
- In a large skillet, cook the mushrooms and onions over medium heat until they are soft and the onions are translucent.
- Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, salt, and pepper.
- Layer half of the bread cubes in the bottom of the greased baking dish.
- Top with half of the spinach mixture and half of the cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining bread, spinach mixture, and cheese.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top of the strata.
- Let the dish sit for about 10 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the liquid.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the mixture is set.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
I followed the recipe exactly but mine did not rise. Why? Did I do something wrong?
Sometimes it could be the type of bread you used. Stale bread is important for absorbency. Maybe that was the issue? Don’t give up!
Maybe your eggs weren’t fresh enough? Or you didn’t let it sit long enough? Just trying to help.
Yumm! Wouldn’t think spinach could taste this good!!!
I dunno, spinach just seems like it wouldn’t be that good mixed with all that stuff. Just sounds weird.
Right?! I’m always surprised by how good spinach can be in recipes. This strata is amazing!
Not sure about this. Mushrooms and spinach?! Really? It’s weird.
I mean, it was okay, but I thought the bread was too soggy. Maybe let it sit longer?
I did not like spinach so I just used broccoli instead & it turned out fine. Little bit different but good!
Not sure about this. The idea is good but even with the cheese, it was too bland for my taste. Needs something extra! 🤔
Yummm! I added some bacon and it was a hit! Who doesn’t love bacon?
Bacon makes everything better! Love that you added it. Can’t wait to try your version!
I dunno, bacon seems like too much for a veggie dish. But if you like it, that’s cool I guess.
This recipe was delicious! I made it for brunch and everybody loved it.
Too many eggs!!! I could barely taste anything else. 😠
Wow! This strata is bomb! Can’t believe it’s so simple and tasty!
I wanted to love this, but the bread was too soggy for my taste. Maybe I did something wrong?
I think the bread needs to be stale to avoid sogginess. Did you use fresh bread? It could make a difference!
Soggy? More like a custard! I find it amazing. Maybe next time try less liquid?
Pretty good! But I think it need more cheese. Cheese is life, right? 😂
I added some garlic and it turned out fantastic! Who needs recipes when you can experiment?
Yummy! Perfect for brunch, everyone loved it. Will make again!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites too. Perfect for a lazy Sunday morning!
Is this even a real recipe? It sounds complicated! How do you make bread not soggy? 🤔
Looks delicious! Just use stale bread and let it soak. It’ll help not be soggy! 🤗
The cooking time was off, it took me almost an hour. Maybe my oven is slow? Idk.
It’s okayish. A bit too cheesy for my taste. Can I reduce the cheese?
Yum! I used garlic instead of onion cause my husband don’t like onions. Still turned out great!
Sounds delicious! I’m also not a fan of onions. Glad it worked with garlic instead. I’ll try it your way!
Garlic? Really? I dunno, onions are part of the recipe. You might be missing out.
Never thought I’d eat so much spinach in my life! But this was really tasty, even my kids liked it!
This is the best breakfast dish ever! My whole family loved it! So flavorful.
I totally agree! This dish has so much flavor and the texture is perfect. I also added some garlic and it was amazing!
Seems kinda weird to put bread and spinach together… idk about this. Might try it but not too excited.
This was fantastic! The flavors were amazing and it disappeared in no time at my brunch.
I don’t like spinach, so I replaced it with kale. Not nearly as good. Stick to spinach!
Why is it called strata? It’s just a fancy casserole if you ask me. My grandma made them too! 😅
I guess you’re right, it does sound kinda posh! But it’s delicious, don’t knock it till you try! 😄
This turned out amazing! My family loved it, especially my kids who usually don’t eat spinach. Definitely a keeper! 👍
I made this with whole wheat bread instead of stale and it was still so good! Thanks for the recipe! 🥳
Too much cream for me. Made my tummy hurt later. 😞
Super easy to make and a great way to use up stale bread. Will definitely make again!
But is it really that easy? I feel like there’s more to it than that. Maybe I’m just not great at cooking.
This sounds delicious! I’m always looking for ways to use stale bread. Can’t wait to try it!
Oh my god, this is so rich! All that cream is dangerous! 😋 But worth every bite!
Totally agree! It’s like heaven in a dish! I don’t care about the calories when it tastes this good! 😍
Easy to make but I forgot the salt 😬. My bad. Still decent!