A ham and cheese breakfast strata is the perfect dish for a cozy brunch or a make-ahead breakfast. This savory casserole layers fluffy eggs, crusty bread, smoky ham, and gooey melted cheese, creating a rich and satisfying flavor in every bite.
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche bread (16 ounces) sliced into thick pieces and lightly toasted (see note)
- 1 pound ham, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces and cubed
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, defrosted and liquid squeezed out
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 eggs
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and butter a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
- Add the bread, ham, 2 cups of the cheese, spinach, salt and pepper to a large bowl.
- Beat the eggs together with the milk and butter then pour over the bread mixture. Toss together gently to coat all the ingredients then transfer into the buttered baking dish in an even layer. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover the casserole and bake another 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve by slicing into squares or scooping out with a serving spoon.
Recipe Notes
If you have day or two old bread that’s slightly stale you can use that instead of toasting the bread first. You can also use regular white bread, sourdough bread or leftover hamburger buns or rolls.
You can make this ahead of time and bake it when ready or bake the casserole right away.
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
