Sausage Gruyere and Onion Strata
Elevate your brunch game with this decadent Sausage Gruyere and Onion Strata, a savory baked casserole that’s as comforting as it is sophisticated. This dish combines layers of crusty French bread with flavorful crumbled sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and nutty Gruyere cheese—all soaked in a rich, custard-like mixture of eggs, milk, cream, and Dijon mustard. Topped with fresh thyme and baked to golden perfection, this make-ahead recipe is ideal for weekend gatherings or holiday mornings. Whether you use mild or spicy sausage, the blend of textures and flavors will have everyone reaching for seconds. Perfectly balanced and satisfying, this strata is your answer to an effortlessly elegant breakfast or brunch centerpiece!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 cups (cubed) crusty French bread
- 1 pound mild or spicy ground sausage
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 medium (thinly sliced) yellow onions
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 cups (shredded) Gruyere cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 2.5 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional, for greasing)
Instructions
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or butter.
Spread the cubed bread evenly across the prepared dish, ensuring a single even layer.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and crumbled, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage using a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
Discard excess grease from the skillet and return it to the stove. Melt the butter over medium heat, then add the sliced onions and a teaspoon of sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
Sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the bread layer, followed by the caramelized onions. Top with the shredded Gruyere cheese.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme until fully combined.
Pour the egg mixture slowly and evenly over the bread, sausage, and cheese layers. Gently press down on the layers with the back of a spoon to ensure the custard is fully absorbed by the bread.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the strata from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while the oven heats.
Bake the strata, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the strata cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
9638 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 381.7 g | 489% | |
| Saturated Fat | 172.1 g | 860% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 2078 mg | 693% | |
| Sodium | 15581 mg | 677% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1065.5 g | 387% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.5 g | 134% | |
| Total Sugars | 76.3 g | ||
| Protein | 371.8 g | 744% | |
| Vitamin D | 12.7 mcg | 64% | |
| Calcium | 4230 mg | 325% | |
| Iron | 62.2 mg | 346% | |
| Potassium | 4247 mg | 90% | |
*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.
