Creamy Egg Strata

This strata recipe, prepared up to 24 hours in advance, is the stuff dreams are made of. Cubes of French bread are drizzled with butter, generously sprinkled with Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, and soaked with a luscious custard perfumed with onion, garlic, and a hint of nutmeg. The custard is made by preparing a roux, a base of butter and flour used to thicken a combination of chicken broth, white wine, and sour cream. Eggs are whisked in for a rich finish, and the mixture is poured over the bread to soak in and create a spoonable casserole when baked.

The prepped strata bakes for 30 minutes in the morning for a deliciously golden brown finish. Garnish with fresh chives before serving, and everyone will be waking up happy.

Learn how to make a creamy egg strata, and bookmark this recipe for future family brunches. It will be a hit.

Ingredients for Creamy Egg Strata

French bread is flavored with butter, cheese, onion, garlic, sour cream, and eggs—what's not to love? To make egg strata, you'll need:

• French bread loaf: The base of the strata. You can substitute the French bread with any type you prefer (or have leftover), including sourdough, Italian bread, or other lightly crusty varieties.
• Butter: Soaks into the bread cubes to add richness to the strata.
• Shredded Swiss and Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled over the bread cubes to create a gooey, cheesy layer in the strata. Feel free to substitute with types of shredded cheeses you prefer, including gruyere, Cheddar, pepper Jack, and more.
• Onion and garlic: Build flavor in the strata.
• All-purpose flour: Thickens the custardy base.
• Chicken broth: While milk is a typical addition to strata, chicken broth is used here for a deep, savory flavor.
• Dry white wine: Adds a light acidity that balances the richness of the strata.
• Salt and pepper: Seasons the mixture.
• Ground nutmeg: A classic addition to custardy bases, nutmeg adds a nutty warmth.
• Sour cream: Adds a tangy creaminess to the custard.
• Large eggs: Binds the base to help set the strata when baked.
• Fresh chives: For a bright, oniony garnish.

How To Make Creamy Egg Strata

If you haven't made a strata before, note that they're incredibly easy to throw together and bake up perfectly in the morning. No one will know you slept in! Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Prepare bread cubes: Place bread in a well-buttered 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 Tbsp. melted butter and cheeses.
• Step 2. Make sour cream mixture: Melt remaining butter in a medium saucepan; add onion and garlic. Sauté until tender. Whisk in flour and cook until lightly browned. Whisk in broth and next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat; add sour cream and salt and pepper to taste.
• Step 3. Finish egg mixture, and pour over bread: Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot sour cream mixture into eggs before whisking in the remaining sour cream mixture. Pour into baking dish.
• Step 4. Cover and chill: Cover with plastic wrap, and chill 8 to 24 hours.
• Step 5. Warm and bake strata: Let strata stand at room temperature 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap, and bake 30 minutes or until set. Serve immediately.

How To Store Creamy Egg Strata

This strata can be assembled and refrigerated up to 24 hours in advance. To make it further ahead, bake and cool completely. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a preheated 325ºF oven until hot throughout before serving.

Refrigerate leftover casserole for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months. Reheat in a preheated 325ºF oven until hot throughout before serving. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast option.

What To Serve With Creamy Egg Strata

This breakfast bake pairs well with all your brunch favorites. Serve with fresh fruit salad, bacon, crispy hash browns, or something sweet like warm cinnamon rolls for a hearty meal everyone will remember.

More Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes You'll Love

There's nothing better than waking up to a hot breakfast, and these sweet and savory recipes can all be prepared the night before so you won't have to wake up (too) early:

• Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
• Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
  
• Overnight French Toast Casserole With Bourbon-Maple Syrup
• Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole
• Cinnamon Roll Casserole
• Croissant Breakfast Casserole
• Eggs Benedict Casserole
• Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding
• Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.