Sausage Breakfast Strata

A strata is a one-dish wonder! It’s similar to a bread pudding but with hearty (and savory) ingredients, in this case, sausage and cheddar!

This savory dish is best made ahead (or even left overnight) making it the perfect make ahead meal or even breakfast-for-dinner!

cooked Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata in a casserole dish

What Is a Strata?

A strata is a bread casserole often served for breakfast. Don’t confuse a strata with a frittata, which is basically a version of an omelet.

Stratas are primarily made with cubes or layers of bread, meat, & cheese.  An egg/milk mixture is poured over top and soaks into the bread (a bit like french toast or bread pudding).

A strata, often served as a breakfast casserole, can be made with almost anything and it’s a great way to use leftover meats, veggies, and cheese that need to be eaten.

Stratas are a favorite casserole and are usually served for breakfast or brunch (but I love them ANY time of day). It makes for a simple light dinner when it’s paired with a tossed salad.

top view of ingredients to make Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata

top view of ingredients to make Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata

Ingredients

BREAD This is a great way to use up that stale or crusty bread! Sourdough, rye, focaccia, whole wheat, the list goes on. Save your bread by keeping it in the freezer and when you have enough, whip up a strata!

CHEESE I opted for cheddar cheese, but any sharp cheese will lend loads of flavor to this dish.

EGG MIXTURE Eggs, cream, and seasonings are mixed together to create the flavorful egg mixture for this dish.

MEAT I added crumbled breakfast sausage that’s been sautéed with festive red and green bell peppers, but bacon or ham would taste great too!

Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata ingredients in bowls and a frying pan

Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata ingredients in bowls and a frying pan

How to Make a Strata

A breakfast strata casserole is easy to layer up and serve in just a few easy steps.

  1. Cook and drain sausage (per recipe below).
  2. Whisk eggs, milk and seasonings.
  3. Toss bread cubes with the egg mixture and sausage until egg is absorbed.
  4. Place in a casserole and refrigerate 30 minutes or up to 24 hours before baking.

top view of Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata in a casserole dish before cooking

top view of Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata in a casserole dish before cooking

Best Breakfast Casseroles

Did you love this Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata? Be sure to leave a comment and a rating below! 

Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata

Loaded with cheese, sausage, and peppers, Strata is the perfect breakfast casserole for a crowd!

Egg Mixture

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  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • Cook sausage over medium heat until no pink remains, drain the fat and return the sausage to the pan. Add the peppers and cook until partially tender. Set aside to cool.

  • Whisk the egg mixture in a bowl. Add bread, peppers, sausage, and half of the cheese. Toss to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes and toss again until the liquid is absorbed.

  • Add the mixture to a greased 2 qt baking dish. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

  • Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover, top with remaining cheese and bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until set in the middle.

  • Rest 10 minutes before cutting.

Serving: 1piece, Calories: 1005, Carbohydrates: 122g, Protein: 46g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 190mg, Sodium: 1967mg, Potassium: 722mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 827IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 699mg, Iron: 10mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword breakfast strata, how to make strata, strata, strata recipe

cooked Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata in a dish with writing
slice of Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata on a plate with a title
close up of Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata with a title
ingredients to make Sausage Cheddar Breakfast Strata with finished dish and a title