Prepare this savory sausage and Gruyère strata the night before for an easy, impressive Christmas morning breakfast casserole.
Author:Eva Navarro
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:50 min
Total Time:1 hour 30 min
Yield:8 servings
Category:Brunch
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound bulk pork sausage
1 (14.5 ounce) loaf sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
8 large eggs
3 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain off excess grease and set the sausage aside.
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Spread half of the bread cubes evenly over the bottom of the prepared dish.
Sprinkle half of the cooked sausage and half of the Gruyère and cheddar cheeses over the bread layer. Repeat with the remaining bread, sausage, and cheeses.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until well combined.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and cheese layers in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the liquid.
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the plastic wrap.
Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed, golden brown, and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Let the strata rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For a make-ahead option, assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and keep it refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
You can substitute Gruyère with Swiss cheese or use cooked ham instead of sausage for a different flavor profile.
If you prefer a crispier top, uncover the casserole for the last 15 minutes of baking.