Dreamy Morning Magic: Ina Garten’s Breakfast Strata Recipe

A breakfast strata with Ina Garten’s twist promises to revolutionize your morning meal routine.

Layers of rich, cheesy goodness meld perfectly with hearty bread and savory ingredients.

The carefully crafted combination speaks to comfort and indulgence.

Eggs nestle between crisp bread cubes, creating a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.

Herbs and seasonings dance through each delectable bite, offering a symphony of flavors.

Weekends call for something special, and this strata delivers pure morning magic.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next leisurely breakfast gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 408 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• Bread: Provides sturdy foundation for the strata, preferably day-old bread for better absorption and texture.
• Bacon: Adds smoky depth and crispy protein element, choose high-quality thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor.

• Onion: Contributes sweet, caramelized undertones and aromatic base for the dish.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent flavor that complements other ingredients.
• Spinach: Introduces fresh, earthy nutrients and vibrant green color to the strata.

• Eggs: Essential protein that binds ingredients and creates fluffy, custardy texture.
• Milk: Provides creamy richness and helps eggs set smoothly.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty notes and delightful golden crust when baked.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances other ingredients.
• Ground Mustard: Adds subtle tangy warmth and depth to the egg mixture.
• Black Pepper: Introduces mild heat and aromatic complexity.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Optional finishing touch for extra texture and flavor burst.

Kitchen Essentials for Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• Large Baking Dish: Deep, rectangular dish for layering and baking the strata.
• Whisk: Essential for mixing eggs and milk smoothly without lumps.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for cooking bacon, onions, and spinach.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping bacon, bread, and preparing vegetables.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps measure ingredients accurately.
• Mixing Bowl: Used for combining wet ingredients like eggs and milk.
• Aluminum Foil: Covers the strata during baking to prevent over-browning.

How to Make Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

Sunrise Breakfast Strata

• Breakfast Canvas Preparation

Create a cozy base for your morning masterpiece by lightly coating a baking dish with nonstick spray, setting the stage for a delicious culinary adventure.

• Bread Foundation

Scatter cubed bread across the dish, creating a rustic landscape of carbohydrate comfort that will absorb all the rich flavors.

• Savory Protein Layer

Transform crispy bacon into tiny flavor bombs by cooking until golden and crumbling over the bread, infusing the dish with smoky goodness.

• Vegetable Harmony

In the same pan, dance onions and garlic until softened, then gently fold in spinach until it wilts and becomes a vibrant green companion to the bacon and bread.

• Cheese Blanket

Sprinkle parmesan across the top like a snowy mountain peak, adding nutty depth and creamy potential to the emerging breakfast landscape.

• Liquid Magic

Whisk eggs with milk and seasonings, creating a silky custard that will bind all ingredients into a cohesive, dreamy casserole.

• Flavor Meditation

Allow the strata to rest in the refrigerator, letting ingredients mingle and develop complex flavors for at least an hour or overnight.

• Oven Symphony

Warm the oven to 375°F, transforming the chilled casserole into a puffy, golden morning celebration that will make taste buds dance.

• Final Transformation

Bake uncovered until edges turn golden, then tent with foil to ensure perfect texture and even cooking, emerging with a beautiful, pillowy surface.

Flavor Upgrades for Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• Swap out ingredients to make this dish uniquely yours and keep breakfast exciting every time.
• Replace bacon with ham, sausage, or chorizo for a delicious protein variation that adds rich flavor and keeps the dish interesting.
• Experiment with different cheeses like gruyere, cheddar, or goat cheese to create new taste profiles and unexpected delightful combinations.
• Incorporate roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or caramelized mushrooms to add depth and complexity to the strata's overall taste and nutrition.
• Use different bread types like sourdough, brioche, or whole wheat to change the texture and add unique flavor dimensions to your morning masterpiece.

Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• Pair with Fresh Greens: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad dressed with light vinaigrette to balance the rich, hearty strata.
• Create Weekend Brunch Spread: Complement the strata with fresh fruit, mimosas, and light pastries for a delightful weekend gathering.
• Add Simple Side Accompaniments: Offer crusty sourdough toast, roasted cherry tomatoes, or quick herb yogurt sauce to enhance the meal's flavor profile.
• Elevate with Garnish Options: Sprinkle extra fresh herbs like chives or parsley, or add a dollop of sour cream to create visual and taste complexity.

How to Store Ina Garten Breakfast Strata

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store the unbaked strata covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
• Freeze with Care: Wrap the assembled (uncooked) strata tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Reheat Gently: Leftover baked strata keeps well in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Portion and Pack: Cut cooled strata into individual servings, wrap separately in plastic wrap or store in meal prep containers for quick grab-and-go breakfast options during busy mornings.

Elegant Ina Garten Breakfast Strata Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s breakfast strata combines hearty bread, savory eggs, and rich cheese in a comforting morning dish. Layered ingredients create a satisfying meal perfect for weekend gatherings, ensuring you enjoy a delightful start to your day.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 9 large eggs
• 8 cups (340 g) cubed bread (big chunks of a crispy baguette or sourdough loaf)
• 8 slices uncooked bacon
• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
• 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded parmesan cheese
• 3 packed cups (90 g) fresh chopped spinach
• ½ cup (75 g) chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground mustard
• ¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper
• Fresh ground black pepper (for garnish)
• Flaky sea salt (for garnish)
• Extra parmesan cheese (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Coat a 9 x 13 inches baking dish with non-stick spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent adhesion.
2. Bread Foundation: Create a uniform base layer by evenly distributing cubed bread across the dish’s bottom.
3. Bacon Transformation: In a skillet, crisp bacon over medium heat until golden brown. Chop into bite-sized pieces and disperse over bread layer.
4. Vegetable Medley: Utilize bacon drippings to sauté onions until translucent. Incorporate garlic and spinach, cooking until greens wilt and flavors meld.
5. Layering: Spread vegetable mixture uniformly over bacon-covered bread, ensuring comprehensive distribution.
6. Cheese Infusion: Generously sprinkle parmesan cheese across the vegetable layer, creating a rich, tangy coating.
7. Egg Custard: Whisk eggs, milk, kosher salt, ground mustard, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until well-combined and slightly frothy.
8. Liquid Integration: Pour egg mixture over the cheese-topped casserole, allowing it to permeate through all layers and create a custardy texture.
9. Flavor Development: Refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour or overnight to intensify and marry flavors.
10. Temperature Equilibration: Remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before baking to approach room temperature.
11. Oven Preparation: Preheat to 375°F (191°C), positioning rack centrally for optimal heat circulation.
12. Baking Process: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then tent with foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for 30-35 minutes until puffy and golden.
13. Finishing Touches: Rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with additional black pepper, flaky sea salt, and optional parmesan before serving.

Notes

• Advance Prep Magic: Refrigerate the strata overnight to allow flavors to develop and marry beautifully, creating a more complex and delicious breakfast dish.
• Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption of egg mixture, preventing a soggy or overly wet texture.
• Bacon Brilliance: Cook bacon until crisp to ensure maximum crunch and flavor distribution throughout the strata.
• Temperature Tip: Let the dish sit at room temperature before baking to promote even cooking and prevent a cold center.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 408
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 785 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 207 mg