A make-ahead recipe that will wow your family come Easter morning? Yes please.
Courtesy of the Egg Farmers of Ontario, this egg strata is perfect for Easter brunch. You can make it a day ahead, which simplifies preparation and gives you more time to spend with the family…or hunt for Easter Eggs.
And, it’s terribly easy to customize depending on your nutritional preferences: substitute whole wheat bread for white, use reduced-fat cheddar cheese, and/or use low sodium shaved ham. Enjoy!
Serving: 8 Servings
Prep. Time: 30-40 minutes
Cooking Time: 1-1¼ hours
INGREDIENTS
1 loaf (about 520 g) sliced white bread (about 16 slices, discard ends)
½ lb (250 g) thinly sliced or shaved ham
2 cups (500 mL) shredded Cheddar cheese
6 eggs
¼ cup (50 mL) finely chopped onion
¼ cup (50 mL) finely chopped green pepper
½ tsp (2 mL) dry mustard
½ tsp (2 mL) black pepper
½ tsp (2 mL) Worcestershire sauce
Dash Tabasco
3 cups (750 mL) milk
2 tbsp (30 mL) butter or margarine, melted
DIRECTIONS
Trim crusts from bread; reserve crusts. Cover bottom of greased 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23 cm) baking dish with slices of bread, trimming to fit if necessary. Cover with ham, then cheese. Top with another layer of bread.
Whisk eggs. Add onion, green pepper, dry mustard, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco; whisk to combine. Whisk in milk. Pour mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Meanwhile, pulse reserved crusts in food processor until coarsely chopped. Set aside 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) of the bread crumbs. (Remainder can be frozen for another use.)
The next day, stir melted butter into bread crumbs until moistened. Sprinkle buttered crumbs over top of casserole.
Bake in a preheated 350°F (180°F) oven until puffed, set and golden brown, about 1 to 1-1/4 hours.
Mmm! That sounds REALLY good. I have actually never tried making a strata.. it looks so easy & tasty, I am not sure why I haven’t!
I’ve got all my ingredients together! I love making stratas – they’re a great way to cheat and still produce an amazing result! Happy Easter Suzie!
Looks really good and I think everyone will like it !!!
Thanks Lena :)
You’re very welcome Allie! Happy Easter!
Yumm! This looks super delicious! I love that it can be made ahead of time!
That’s a huge bonus for me too, Anne! Happy Easter!
This actually very similar to our Tradtional Christmas breakfast meal!
I believe the recipe originated as a Christmas morning meal, but can definitely be adapted for Easter! Happy Easter Lisa!
Yum! This recipe sounds easy and looks so good. I think I’ll try it for Easter brunch. Thanks lena!
You’re welcome Marissa – it’s the perfect brunch recipe. Happy Easter!
This looks so delicious!! It is similar to a recipe that I use for Christmas Breakfast.
Yup, I think it’s more of a traditional Christmas breakfast that has been adapted. Happy Easter!
oooooh that sounds great!!
I can’t wait to enjoy it this weekend! Happy Easter Debbie!
This recipe looks great. I’ve never tried strata! Looks perfect for Easter brunch. Off to the store I go!
Splendid! You’ll love stratas – they’re so filling and yummy. Happy Easter Holly!
That looks great!
:) Happy Easter!
This looks great, I have never tried strata but might have to now
I think you might have to as well, Judy! Happy Easter!
Oh! this Egg Strata! looks delicious! tempted to try it this weekend! Glad I found this recipe through your “twitter” thank you!
You’re very welcome, Ingrid – Happy Easter!
This would be so so so perfect for Easter.
Then I insist that you try it! Happy Easter Victoria!
yummy..similar to one I make, I will have to add the bread crumbs.. ( I sometimes add bacon instead of ham!!)
Mmmm… okay you just made my mouth water. Breadcrumbs are an integral part for the crunch factor. Happy Easter!
It looks like I have all the ingredients! I will be trying this this weekend!
Success! Great to hear Jess, do let me know what you think! Happy Easter!
I would love to try this. Do you think it would be good with wheat bread as well?
I don’t see why not, Tricia, especially if you’re already used to the taste and texture of whole wheat bread. Happy Easter!
So picked up everything I need to make this, wish me luck
Good luck Debbie! Do let me know how it turns out – I’ll be making it myself! xo
This sounds delish! I LOVE how you can make it a day ahead! So great when hosting guests. Thanks!
You’re very welcome Kat – enjoy!
My sister made this or something very similar for Christmas breakfast. It was delish! Since I’m not a morning person, doing all the work the night before is appealing.
Indeed – it makes the prep work seem so much easier!
Interesting recipe, Lena! I have never had strata before, but it looks and sounds delicious!
Please do give it a try, Sophia!
Mmm that sounds so good! I’m adding it to my “Recipes To Try” list!
Awesome! Let me know if you ever try it!
I know it’s not Easter – but I Pinned this one….craving eggs right now.
this looks so good and a must try even if it is not easter
I’ve never seen a recipe like this but it looks before but from the ingredients and picture I can tell it’s delicious