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New Year's Day Breakfast Strata

Breakfast strata layers day-old French bread, browned pork sausage, onion, and sharp cheddar under a savory egg custard. Refrigerate it overnight, then bake until puffed and set for an easy make-ahead breakfast.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 11 minutes
Chilling and resting 8 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 9 hours 41 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp butter softened, for greasing
  • 1 lb pork breakfast sausage bulk
  • 1 yellow onion medium, finely chopped
  • 12 oz French bread day-old, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 10 eggs large
  • 2.5 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch baking dish
  • 1 12-inch skillet

Method
 

  1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with the butter.
  2. Cook the sausage in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces, for 5 minutes.
  3. Add the onion and cook for 5-7 minutes more, until the sausage is browned and reaches 160°F and the onion is softened.
  4. Drain excess fat.
  5. Layer half of the bread cubes, half of the sausage mixture, and half of the cheddar in the baking dish.
  6. Repeat with the remaining bread, sausage, and cheddar.
  7. Whisk the eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  8. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the strata.
  9. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
  10. Heat the oven to 350°F while the strata sits at room temperature for no more than 30 minutes.
  11. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  12. Uncover and bake for 25-35 minutes more, until puffed and set and the center reaches 160°F.
  13. Rest the strata for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For the best texture, use day-old bread so it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming mushy. Refrigerate leftovers for 3-4 days; freezer: yes. For a lighter variation, pork breakfast sausage can be swapped for turkey breakfast sausage.