This savory sausage and spinach breakfast strata is an ideal dish for brunches and family gatherings. Combining layers of crusty bread, delicious sausage, and fresh spinach, this strata is both satisfying and nutritious. The egg custard binds everything together, resulting in a dish that’s creamy on the inside with a deliciously crisp top.
Perfect for feeding a crowd, you can prepare it the night before and simply pop it in the oven in the morning. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a comforting and hearty breakfast that everyone will love.
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 6 cups cubed day-old bread
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet, cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
- Layer half of the bread cubes in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread half the cooked sausage and half the chopped spinach over the bread.
- Pour half of the egg mixture over the layers and sprinkle half of the cheese on top.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining bread, sausage, spinach, egg mixture, and cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to soak up the egg mixture.
- Remove the foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Tip: This strata can be prepared a day in advance. Just cover and refrigerate before baking.
For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the sausage with sautéed mushrooms or a meat-free sausage. Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the spinach to prevent the strata from becoming soggy.
Feel free to add other ingredients such as bell peppers or cheese for extra flavor. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven or microwave. This dish also freezes well—just make sure to wrap it tightly before freezing.