Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake (Breakfast Casserole!)

Introduction

The Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake is a delightful and hearty breakfast option, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy family morning. This breakfast casserole combines layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and delicious bacon to create a savory dish that everyone will love. It’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, making it a great choice for busy mornings or special occasions.

Why Make This Recipe

There are many reasons to make this breakfast strata cake. First, it is incredibly simple and quick to prepare, requiring minimal cooking skills. You can assemble it the night before and let the flavors meld in the fridge, making your morning stress-free. It’s versatile, too! You can use different types of bread, cheeses, or add vegetables for extra flavor. Plus, this dish is satisfying and fills you up, giving you the energy you need to start your day right.

How to Make Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake

Making the Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake is straightforward. Just follow these simple steps for a delicious breakfast treat.

Ingredients:

300g / 10 oz bacon (diced, or use ham)
6 large eggs
1 1/4 cups milk (full cream or low fat)
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper (to taste)
7 cups (packed) any plain bread (cut into 2 cm / 1 inch cubes, preferably slightly stale)
2 cups cheese (shredded)
Parsley (finely chopped for garnish, optional)

Directions:

Cook bacon: Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Use a bit of oil if not using non-stick. Add all but 2 tablespoons of bacon (save some for topping before baking) and cook until lightly browned. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel.
Whisk eggs and milk: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well blended.
Soak bread: Add the bread, 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, and the cooked bacon to the egg mixture. Mix well. Cover and set aside in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight, allowing the bread to soak up the egg.
To Cook:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
- Grease a 20cm / 8" springform cake tin generously with butter.
- Pour the bread mixture into the cake tin, pressing it down firmly. Sprinkle with the reserved uncooked bacon and the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Cover loosely with foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15 – 20 minutes until golden on top and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before removing the springform. Garnish with parsley if desired. Cut into slices to serve.

How to Serve Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake

This breakfast strata cake can be served warm or at room temperature. Serve it with a side of fresh fruit or a dollop of sour cream for added flavor. Some may enjoy it with a drizzle of hot sauce for a little kick.

How to Store Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Tips to Make Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake

Use leftover or stale bread for the best texture. Fresh bread may become too soggy.
Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or even feta for new flavors.
You can add chopped veggies like bell peppers or spinach to the egg mixture for extra nutrition.

Variation

For a lighter version, substitute half of the bacon with sautéed vegetables or use turkey bacon. You can also try adding different spices to customize the flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the strata cake the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Just bake it in the morning.

2. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze the baked strata. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months.

3. What types of bread work best?
Any plain bread works well, but slightly stale baguettes or sourdough add great texture and flavor.

Now you have a tasty and simple recipe to make your mornings special! Enjoy your Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake!

Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake

A delightful and hearty breakfast casserole that combines layers of bread, eggs, cheese, and bacon, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy family morning.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 15

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

300 g bacon (diced, or use ham)
6 large eggs
1.25 cups milk (full cream or low fat)
0.25 tsp salt
Black pepper (to taste)
7 cups any plain bread (cut into 2 cm / 1 inch cubes, preferably slightly stale)
2 cups cheese (shredded)
Parsley (finely chopped for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Preparation

Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat and cook the diced bacon until lightly browned. Remove and drain on paper towels.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
Add the cubed bread, 1.5 cups of cheese, and cooked bacon to the egg mixture. Mix well and cover. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Cooking

Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
Grease a 20cm / 8 inch springform cake tin generously with butter.
Pour the bread mixture into the cake tin, pressing it down firmly. Sprinkle with reserved uncooked bacon and remaining 0.5 cups of cheese. Cover loosely with foil.
Bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow to rest for 5 minutes before removing from the springform. Garnish with parsley if desired and cut into slices to serve.

Notes

This breakfast strata can be served warm or at room temperature. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months.

Keyword Breakfast Strata, Casserole, Cheese and Bacon, Easy Breakfast, family meal