This Vegetable & Cheese Strata is the ultimate comfort food for brunch or a hearty dinner. It features tender cubes of Italian bread soaked in a rich egg and milk custard, layered with sauted onions, mushrooms, scallions, and bell peppers. The savory mixture is bound together with sharp Cheddar and Parmesan cheese, creating a golden, puffed casserole with a creamy interior and crispy edges. Perfect for make-ahead meals, it can be assembled the night before and baked fresh in the morning. Serve it alongside fresh fruit or a light salad for a balanced meal that feels indulgent yet wholesome.
Vegetable & Cheese Strata
Description
This Vegetable & Cheese Strata is the ultimate comfort food for brunch or a hearty dinner. It features tender cubes of Italian bread soaked in a rich egg and milk custard, layered with sauted onions, mushrooms, scallions, and bell peppers. The savory mixture is bound together with sharp Cheddar and Parmesan cheese, creating a golden, puffed casserole with a creamy interior and crispy edges. Perfect for make-ahead meals, it can be assembled the night before and baked fresh in the morning. Serve it alongside fresh fruit or a light salad for a balanced meal that feels indulgent yet wholesome.Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
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In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over moderately low heat.
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Add the chopped onion, scallions, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet.
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Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent.
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Add the thinly sliced bell peppers and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Continue cooking over moderate heat, stirring frequently, for 10 to 15 minutes.
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Cook until the liquid released by the mushrooms has evaporated and the peppers are tender.
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Remove the vegetable mixture from heat and let it cool slightly.
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Butter a large shallow 4.5-quart baking dish.
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Arrange half of the bread cubes in an even layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
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Spread half of the cooked vegetable mixture evenly over the bread cubes.
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Sprinkle half of the Cheddar cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese over the vegetables.
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Arrange the remaining bread cubes over the cheese layer.
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Top with the remaining vegetable mixture.
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Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar and Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper until well combined.
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Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and vegetable layers in the baking dish.
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Press down gently to ensure the bread absorbs some of the custard.
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Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight.
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When ready to bake, let the strata stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
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Bake until the strata is puffed, golden brown on top, and set in the center.
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Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 680kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 47g73%
- Saturated Fat 24g120%
- Cholesterol 480mg160%
- Sodium 950mg40%
- Total Carbohydrate 59g20%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 12g
- Protein 38g76%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.