Cheesy Breakfast Strata With Tomatoes (Printable)
Layers of crusty bread, creamy cheeses, and eggs topped with sweet roasted tomatoes for a comforting morning bake.
# What You'll Need:
→ Bread and Dairy
01 - 8 cups day-old crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
04 - 6 large eggs
05 - 2 cups whole milk
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
→ Vegetables
07 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
09 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Flavorings & Seasonings
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
13 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 2 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, chopped
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Toss halved cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, pinch of salt, and pepper. Spread cut side up and roast 15 minutes until softened and caramelized. Set aside.
02 - Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish generously with butter or cooking spray.
03 - Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add chopped spinach and cook 2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
05 - Add bread cubes to the custard mixture and toss gently to coat evenly. Stir in sautéed onion and spinach, shredded cheddar, and Gruyère cheese until well distributed.
06 - Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Arrange roasted cherry tomatoes evenly over the top, pressing lightly into the surface.
07 - Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes to allow bread to absorb custard.
08 - Remove foil and continue baking 20–25 minutes until golden brown and set throughout. Let cool 10 minutes before sprinkling with fresh chives or parsley. Serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It transforms ordinary bread into something extraordinary without requiring any special technique
- The make-ahead nature means you can actually enjoy your morning instead of frantically cooking
- Those roasted tomatoes on top create this sweet contrast that makes every bite interesting
02 -
- The strata needs at least 4 hours in the refrigerator overnight for the bread to properly absorb the custard
- Using day-old bread isn't a suggestion, it's absolutely critical for the right texture
- Letting it rest for 10 minutes after baking prevents it from collapsing when you cut into it
03 -
- Don't skip the foil cover during the first half of baking or the top will burn before the center sets
- If the edges brown too quickly, tent foil over just the sides while the center finishes