Nothing solves the busy winter blues more than an easy breakfast strata with sausage recipe! This make ahead breakfast cheese strata goes straight from the oven to the table in no time flat!

For the best breakfast strata ever, let it sit overnight in the fridge so all the flavors meld perfectly! And it’s a great make ahead Christmas or holiday breakfast strata so you can catch a couple of extra zzzzz’s before the busy-ness of the day begins!

Breakfast strata is a great way to start the day, especially when you add a smoothie, a lovely fruit salad, and some overnight cinnamon buns! For dinner, we serve the strata with Red Leaf Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette or Italian salad and end with a slice of Apple Bundt Cake!

Breakfast strata with sausage baked in a glass dish

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What is Breakfast Strata?

Whether it is for breakfast, brunch, lunch or a light dinner, a strata is a layered casserole similar to a quiche or frittata where eggs are the primary ingredient. Eggs are used to bind various other ingredients like bread, veggies, cheese, and even meats like salmon.

How Do You Make Breakfast Strata?

It’s easier than you think! This overnight breakfast strata recipe is just the ticket for those busy nights when you want an easy breakfast, especially for company! Like breakfast frittata, this recipe for breakfast strata with sausage can be made the night before and then baked off the next morning as everyone wakes up hungry!

overhead view of breakfast strata with sausage covered with cheese, unbaked in a glass dish

Here we go!

  1. Butter a 9×13 inch dish.
  2. Saute sausage and onions and set aside.
  3. Lay bread on the bottom of prepared dish, scoop sausage/onion mixture over the top.
  4. Layer tomatoes, cheese, and top with bread.
  5. Pour over the liquid mixture and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge until you are ready to bake! (If refrigerated overnight, remove the strata from the fridge while the oven is preheating.)
  6. Bake at 350F for 40 minutes, or until golden brown on top and egg mixture is set.
Breakfast strata with sausage unbaked in a glass dish

How Long Can Strata Be Refrigerated Before Cooking?

Breakfast egg strata can be refrigerated about two days for optimal baking. The best breakfast strata casserole will be made in advance, kept in the fridge overnight and baked off first thing in the morning. Use a 9X13 glass dish if possible.  You can find them on Amazon or at Walmart.

overhead view of breakfast strata with sausage baked in a glass dish with golden cheese on the top

Can Strata Be Frozen?

A cheese strata breakfast casserole CAN be frozen both before and after baking! To freeze before baking, simply cover it so it is airtight and label it with the date. (Be careful the liquids are even and don’t tip out as you freeze it ;).) Before you bake the breakfast strata, let it thaw out about an hour. Baking may take a little extra time if it isn’t quite room temperature before popping it into the oven. Check for doneness and bake a little longer if it isn’t quite set. If it starts to brown before the middle is set, lay a sheet of foil lightly over the top.

A served slice of breakfast strata with sausage on a plate with a green salad and the pan of strata in the background

A fully baked egg and sausage breakfast strata can be frozen as well! Make sure it is fully thawed before reheating. The best way to reheat a frozen strata is to microwave it because it will already be so moist that microwaving will not dry it out. Just reheat and sprinkle on a dash of salt and pepper and it’s as good as new!

We usually store it in the fridge because this strata doesn’t last long at our house! It will last a few days in the fridge and it’s usually long gone before then! Simply reheat in the microwave until it reaches the desired temperature. 

Breakfast strata sliced in squares and on a plate with salad.
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Breakfast Strata with Sausage

Nothing solves the busy weekend blues more than an easy breakfast strata with sausage recipe! This make ahead breakfast cheese strata goes straight from the oven to the table in no time flat!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Author Candace

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 8 ounces sausage sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup onion chopped
  • 1 baguette cut into ½ inch thick slices (preferably 2 days old, or if fresh, cut and lightly toasted) or other bread slices
  • 2 tomatoes cut into slices and each slice quartered
  • 4 cups old cheddar cheese grated, divided
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups half and half cream
  • 8 eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Butter a 9×13 baking dish.
  • In a medium pan, add olive oil, sausage and onions. Cook over medium low heat until sausage is cooked and onions are translucent (approximately 13-15 minutes).
  • Line bottom of baking dish with bread slices (about half of baguette). Scoop sausage mixture from pan and sprinkle evenly over bread (discard extra oil in pan). Place tomatoes evenly over sausage mixture. Sprinkle with ⅔ of the grated cheese and cover with bread slices (You may have a small amount of bread remaining. Reserve for another use). Sprinkle remaining cheese over the bread.
  • In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together cream, half and half, eggs, rosemary, and pepper. Slowly pour egg mixture over bread, working to cover each top piece with egg mixture.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes (or overnight).*
  • Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F. Bake for 40 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Rest 10 minutes and serve.

Notes

*If refrigerated overnight, remove breakfast strata from the fridge while the oven is preheating.
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 411 | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1000IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 358mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.

Course Breakfast, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American

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Breakfast strata with sausage baked in a glass dish.
A served slice of breakfast strata with sausage on a plate with a green salad and the pan of strata in the background
overhead view of breakfast strata with sausage baked in a glass dish with golden cheese on the top
Breakfast strata with sausage unbaked in a glass dish.
overhead view of breakfast strata with sausage covered in cheese, unbaked in a glass dish
Breakfast strata with sausage baked in a glass dish with melted golden brown cheese, unbaked strata with cheese on the top

Adapted from Oprah

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About the author

I am a wife, mother of two, and professional accountant. I love fantastic food, and it is so often the center of our lives, from everyday dinner, to family gatherings, and special evenings at fabulous restaurants. I have always loved cooking and baking, with my mom and grandma, and now, with my daughter and son. I love trying new recipes while enjoying my favorites too. I’m so happy to share them with you.
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