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    Recipes » Recipes

    Ham and Cheese Breakfast Strata

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Dec 13, 2021 · Modified: Dec 13, 2021 by Dee

    This Ham and Cheese Strata recipe is an easy make ahead breakfast casserole made with layers of ham, brioche bread, cheddar cheese and eggs. This savory overnight casserole makes a delicious holiday breakfast or brunch! via @meamel

    This Ham and Cheese Strata recipe is an easy make ahead breakfast casserole made with layers of ham, brioche bread, cheddar cheese and eggs. This savory overnight casserole makes a delicious holiday breakfast or brunch!

    Jump to Recipe -
    slice of ham and cheese breakfast strata on the table with parsley

    Looking for an easy holiday breakfast? This flavorful ham and cheese strata recipe is a layered breakfast casserole that's perfect for the holiday season.

    Best of all, you assemble the casserole the night before and throw it in the oven the next morning. No need to get up early just to fix breakfast!

    This delicious overnight make ahead casserole is perfect for Christmas morning breakfast or any holiday brunch. Serve it on Thanksgiving, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, New Years or for a simple weekend brunch anytime!

    Some other breakfast bakes we like are make ahead sausage breakfast casserole, lemon blueberry bagel breakfast casserole and hashbrown breakfast casserole.

    ingredients for breakfast casserole on the counter

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients for ham and cheese strata. You can find them in your grocery store:

    • Brioche bread -- I use a sliced loaf
    • Cooked ham -- use leftover ham or deli ham
    • Cheddar cheese -- or cheddar cheese blend
    • Large eggs
    • Milk --whole milk or 2 percent
    • Heavy cream
    • Dijon mustard
    • Sea salt
    • Onion powder
    • Smoked paprika -- enhances the flavor
    • Ground black pepper

    How to Make Ham and Cheese Breakfast Strata

    First, grease a 9 X 13 baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Chop up your ham into bite sized pieces, and cut the bread slices into small squares.

    If you're using sourdough bread or a thicker loaf of bread like that, you may want to cut it up into 1-inch cubes.

    Since we're using sliced bread, cutting it into squares is just easier.

    Combine eggs, milk, cream, mustard and spices in a large bowl. Whisk until the custard ingredients are well blended.

    whisk egg custard ingredients in bowl

    Now, start layering the casserole. Place a layer of bread on the bottom of the buttered baking dish.

    I usually try to make the bread layer as even as possible. But, it's okay if the bread overlaps a little.

    Then, layer ham and cheese on top of the bread. Add a second layer of bread, a second layer of the remaining ham, and a second layer of the remaining cheese.

    layer bread, ham slices and shredded cheese in baking dish

    Press down on the top layer so that it's under the rim of the baking dish. Then, pour egg mixture evenly over the bread mixture.

    The bread will start to absorb the egg custard mixture. So, don't worry about it overflowing.

    Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. Then, cover the dish with aluminum foil, and place it into the fridge overnight.

    Cooking Time

    In the morning, take the casserole out of the fridge. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

    Remove the plastic wrap and foil. Place in preheated oven and bake the casserole for 45 to 60 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center of the casserole comes out clean.

    You can also test the temperature with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be at least 160 degrees.

    Cook time may vary with different ovens. But, the casserole shouldn't be wet or runny.

    If the top of the strata starts to get too dark, you can cover it loosely with foil until it's done.

    baked overnight breakfast strata on the table

    Variations

    One way to vary this delicious breakfast casserole is to use different types of cheese. A cheddar blend, Monterey Jack cheese, Swiss cheese, or white cheddar will work just as well, and pepper jack cheese adds a spicy kick!

    I like to make this dish with deli ham or leftover ham, as there's always some to use up during the holiday season.

    But, instead of ham, you can use cooked sausage, such as a breakfast sausage. Or, you could make this a vegetarian strata, and add no meat at all.

    You could use a bread besides brioche--I recommend sliced brioche because of its slightly sweeter taste and natural absorbance.

    Any thicker sliced white bread will work as well, but I would not suggest a whole wheat bread. If you want to use whole loaf bread, choose a thicker, crusty bread, and slice it into 1-inch pieces.

    Different veggies can also elevate this savory casserole. Sometimes I add a bell pepper or green peppers, and green onions for a little extra flavor. Spinach would be great too!

    overhead view of ham strata on a plate

    How to Store and Reheat

    Let your ham strata sit out at room temperature and cool down a bit before storing it. Cover any leftover strata with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.

    It'll keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze strata in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

    Be sure to thaw your breakfast bake before reheating.

    Reheat larger strata portions in the oven. For individual servings, reheat breakfast strata in microwave in short increments or on a lower power setting for best results.

    sliced ham and cheese strata on plate

    Ham and Cheese Breakfast Strata

    Published by Dee
    This Ham and Cheese Strata recipe is an easy make ahead breakfast casserole made with layers of ham, brioche bread, cheddar cheese and eggs. This savory overnight casserole makes a delicious holiday breakfast or brunch!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Refrigerator Time 8 hrs
    Total Time 9 hrs 15 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 366 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 loaf brioche bread
    • 2 cups cooked ham sliced or cubed
    • 2½ cups cheddar cheese grated
    • 12 large eggs
    • 1½ cups milk
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with butter or nonstick spray
    • Cut bread slices into squares, and add a layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish
    • Top bread layer with half of the ham and 1 cup of cheese. Top with remaining sliced bread and remaining ham and cheese
    • In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, milk, cream, mustard and spices. Whisk together until very well blended
    • pour egg mixture evenly over strata, pressing down with spoon or fork so that it doesn't overflow. Bread will start to absorb the liquid
    • Cover with a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil, and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight
    • In the morning, preheat oven to 350°, remove baking dish from refrigerator, and remove plastic wrap and foil
    • Place strata in middle of preheated oven, and bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until top is golden brown and knife inserted into center comes out clean
    • Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving

    Notes

    I use sliced brioche bread, each slice sliced into quarters. If using uncut loaf of bread, tear or cut into 1 inch cubes. You may have a few pieces left over.
    If top starts to get too dark when baking, cover loosely with foil until done.
    Can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 3 months until ready to bake.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 366kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 289mgSodium: 684mgPotassium: 198mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 966IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 258mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    This simple breakfast casserole dish is the perfect way to make holiday meals easier--but no less delicious!

    For more brunch recipes, simple recipe ideas, and perfect make ahead meals, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patrick says

      December 21, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      This was great! All of my favorites too! Going to make this often. Love the leftovers too!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Juliane says

      December 21, 2021 at 8:40 am

      My family and I loved this!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Alyssa says

      December 19, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      What a perfect way to start the day. My family loved it!

      Reply
    4. Beth says

      December 18, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      That is such a delicious way to start the day! Talk about a breakFEAST! 5 stars

      Reply
    5. Catalina says

      December 17, 2021 at 10:40 am

      Mmmm.... this looks just amazing! I want this for breakfast tomorrow!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Erin says

      December 16, 2021 at 8:14 am

      This Ham and Cheese Strata is most definitely an EPIC breakfast!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Patricia says

      December 15, 2021 at 6:51 pm

      This looks delicious with just the right amount of cheesiness! This is a great dish for visitors, and definitely welcome for the season!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 19, 2021 at 10:30 pm

        Thanks, Patricia! We just love it!

    8. Betty says

      December 15, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      Yummy! Had to make this right away! Boy did the grandkids eat it up! Just a little bit of leftovers!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 17, 2021 at 8:22 pm

        Thank you so much, Betty! My family loves this, too!

    9. Cathy says

      December 15, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      We're definitely making this for Christmas morning!

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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