Spinach and Bacon Strata

Submitted by KathyP53

"Got a similar recipe from Giada De Laurentiis's show and made it for Easter morning. It was a hit! We dubbed it "Giada Strata" and plan to keep it as a regular holiday meal. I've made a few tweaks of my own to the recipe based on my family's taste and what I had available. This is really good and great when you have company."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 15mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 453.59 g bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 226.79 g fresh baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4.92 ml seasoning salt (I use Paula Dean's house seasoning)
• 453.59 g Italian bread (cubed)
• 354.88 ml freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 709.77 ml whole milk
• 10 large eggs

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Saute chopped bacon in large skillet until crisp. Using slotted spoon, remove bacon from skillet to paper towel-lined plate to drain.
2. Reserve small amount of bacon drippings in skillet. Add onion to skillet and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and spinach and saute 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt and reserved bacon.
3. Place half bread cubes in a buttered 9x13" baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the bread, top with half of the spinach mixture. Repeat layering.
4. Whisk milk, eggs, and remaining 1/2 teaspoons of seasoning salt in a large bowl and pour evenly over the strata. Gently push surface of bread down into milk to coat. Chill strata, covered with plastic wrap, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
5. Bake strata uncovered until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, about 45 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Reviews

[Renegade Chef]

Very good. I halved this recipe and easily had 6 servings.

 

[Turanga Leela]

I didn't actually chill this at all, just popped it in the oven right after assembling, and it was still great! This one's a keeper.

 

[msoders]

Turned out well - serves alot more than 6 - more like 12+

 

[Gingernut]

My Christmas houseguests were very happy with our delicious breakfast, and I was stoked that it was make-ahead. 4 adults ate this for breakfast 2 days in a row, plus there was a little leftover for my little girl to have for lunch (twice). I would say this serves at least 10 "normal" people as we are all big eaters! I subbed crumbled sausage for the bacon, and used half tasty/half parmesan cheese. Used stale white bread leftover from stuffing the turkey. Yum yum yum! Updated: Have made this for Christmas breakfast again, and also for a brunch today. It always gets rave reviews.

 

[Heather U.]

Great strata! Must admit I didn't have any spinach so used 4 oz of zucchini instead. Must also admit that I didn't let it soak before baking! We were hungry. It was really excellent.