Ham and Cheese Strata
Elevate your brunch game with this irresistible Ham and Cheese Strata, a savory baked casserole perfect for feeding a crowd! This dish layers cubes of day-old French or Italian bread with hearty diced ham, a melty blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and a touch of bright green onions for added flavor. A rich batter of eggs, milk, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard ties it all together, soaking into the bread to create a fluffy, custard-like texture. Perfect for make-ahead meals, this strata can be prepared the night before and baked to golden perfection the next morning. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or looking for an easy yet impressive breakfast idea, this hearty, cheesy casserole is guaranteed to please every palate.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 cups day-old bread (cubed, such as French or Italian bread)
- 2 cups ham (diced)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 10 large eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
Layer half of the bread cubes in the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle half of the diced ham, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1 tablespoon of sliced green onions evenly over the bread.
Add the remaining bread cubes on top, followed by the rest of the ham, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and green onions.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and smooth.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered bread, ham, and cheese in the baking dish, ensuring the liquid soaks in well.
Press the top layer gently with the back of a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours if preparing in advance.
If refrigerated, allow the dish to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, or until the strata is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the strata cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
7526 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 313.2 g | 402% | |
| Saturated Fat | 156.6 g | 783% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 2756 mg | 919% | |
| Sodium | 18734 mg | 815% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 731.8 g | 266% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.6 g | 116% | |
| Total Sugars | 75.5 g | ||
| Protein | 399.5 g | 799% | |
| Vitamin D | 18.5 mcg | 93% | |
| Calcium | 4302 mg | 331% | |
| Iron | 50.1 mg | 278% | |
| Potassium | 4343 mg | 92% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
