Make Ahead Cheese Strata Recipe

Wake up to a delicious and spicy cheese strata! This make-ahead breakfast casserole is packed with cheesy goodness and a delightful kick of cayenne pepper. Prepare it the night before – simply toss in your favorite breakfast meat (bacon, sausage, or ham) in the morning, pop it in the oven, and enjoy a warm, satisfying breakfast in minutes. The Louisiana hot sauce adds an extra layer of fiery flavor that'll start your day with a bang! Perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunch.

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 225 mins

Calories 496.8 kcal

Protein 46g

Rating Be the first

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Make Ahead Cheese Strata

White Bread
Butter
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
6 large eggs
1 cup (240ml) milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
Red Pepper
Dry Mustard
Worcestershire Sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh celery leaves

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Make Ahead Cheese Strata? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Make Ahead Cheese Strata

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, toss 6 cups (1440g) cubed day-old bread with 1/2 cup (113g) melted butter.
Lightly grease a 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish.
Place half of the bread mixture in the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle half of 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese over the bread.
Repeat layers with remaining bread and cheese.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 1 cup (240ml) milk, 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce (or to taste).
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cheese layers.
Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight.
In the morning, add 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (or other breakfast meat of choice) to the top of the strata.
Uncover and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and set.
Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh celery leaves.
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving warm.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

40 g

Sugar

Fat

98g

Carbs

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion North American Omelets And Frittatas Breakfast Eggs Dairy American Southwestern United States Cheese Eggs Dietary Brunch 4 Hours Or Less

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Make Ahead Cheese Strata?

Make Ahead Cheese Strata takes about 245 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 225 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Make Ahead Cheese Strata?

Make Ahead Cheese Strata has approximately 496.8 calories per serving, with about 46 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates and 51 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Make Ahead Cheese Strata?

The key ingredients for Make Ahead Cheese Strata are White Bread, Butter, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Eggs, Milk, Salt. See the full list with measurements above.