Ham and Cheese Strata

Elevate your brunch game with this irresistible Ham and Cheese Strata, a savory baked casserole perfect for feeding a crowd! This dish layers cubes of day-old French or Italian bread with hearty diced ham, a melty blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and a touch of bright green onions for added flavor. A rich batter of eggs, milk, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard ties it all together, soaking into the bread to create a fluffy, custard-like texture. Perfect for make-ahead meals, this strata can be prepared the night before and baked to golden perfection the next morning. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or looking for an easy yet impressive breakfast idea, this hearty, cheesy casserole is guaranteed to please every palate.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 cups day-old bread (cubed, such as French or Italian bread)
• 2 cups ham (diced)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 10 large eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons green onions (thinly sliced)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing the baking dish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.

Step 2

Layer half of the bread cubes in the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle half of the diced ham, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1 tablespoon of sliced green onions evenly over the bread.

Step 3

Add the remaining bread cubes on top, followed by the rest of the ham, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and green onions.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and smooth.

Step 5

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered bread, ham, and cheese in the baking dish, ensuring the liquid soaks in well.

Step 6

Press the top layer gently with the back of a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours if preparing in advance.

Step 7

If refrigerated, allow the dish to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 8

Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, or until the strata is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Let the strata cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3626.6 grams (3626.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7526

Total Fat 313.20g	402%
Saturated Fat 156.60g	783%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.50g
Cholesterol 2756mg	919%
Sodium 18734mg	815%
Total Carbohydrate 731.80g	266%
Dietary Fiber 32.60g	116%
Total Sugars 75.50g
Protein 399.50g	799%

Vitamin D 741IU	3706%
Calcium 4302mg	331%
Iron 50mg	278%
Potassium 4343mg	92%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.4%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 39.9%