Smoked Sausage Strata
With its rich combination of smoked sausage, eggs, cheese, and bread, this Smoked Sausage Strata is sure to be a hit at your next brunch. Baked to golden perfection, and loaded with bold flavors, this delicious sausage casserole is an easy yet impressive dish that will have everyone coming back for more.
Equipment
- 9 x13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more if needed
- 12 ounces smoked sausage such as Andouille cut into ½-¾ inch cubes
- 1½ cups diced yellow onion (from about 1 medium onion) ½-¾ inch dice
- 1½ cups diced green or red bell pepper (from about 1 medium pepper) ½-¾ inch dice
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon Kosher or fine sea salt, divided
- 9 large eggs
- 2 cups (16 ounces) half and half or whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 10-12 ounces (7-8 cups) crusty bread such as sourdough or a baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes *see notes
- 1½ cups (12 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- butter or cooking spray for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Butter or spray a 9 by 13-inch baking or casserole dish. Set aside.butter or cooking spray for greasing the pan
- In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, 6-7 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more if needed, 12 ounces smoked sausage such as Andouille cut into ½-¾ inch cubes
- To the same pan, add the onions, peppers, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Saute until the vegetables are soft (adding more oil if needed), about 5-6 minutes. Return the sausage to the pan, and saute another 30 seconds to combine the flavors. Let cool slightly while you make the custard.1½ cups diced yellow onion (from about 1 medium onion), 1½ cups diced green or red bell pepper (from about 1 medium pepper), ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon Kosher or fine sea salt, divided
- Prepare the custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and pepper until well combined. Set aside.9 large eggs, 2 cups (16 ounces) half and half or whole milk, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- Prepare the strata: To the prepared baking dish, add the bread in a single layer. Top with the sausage mixture, followed by the cheese. Pour the custard over the entire dish, pressing down gently to allow the bread to soak in the custard. Season with additional pepper if desired over the top. Cover, and allow to sit for at least one hour in the fridge, or up to overnight.10-12 ounces (7-8 cups) crusty bread such as sourdough or a baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes, 1½ cups (12 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Bake the strata: If making the same day, preheat the oven to 350℉ while the casserole sits. Bake (covered) for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the cover and continue to bake for an additional 25-35 minutes or until puffed up, golden brown, and slightly firm in the middle. Allow to cool for 10-15 before serving. **If baking from the night before, remove the strata from the fridge at least 30 minutes before baking. Proceed with the above baking times.
Notes
- To avoid a soggy strata, use day-old or stale bread. To speed the process along, preheat your oven to 350°F. Arrange the cut bread pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread is lightly golden and crisp. Cool the bread for a few minutes before using it in your strata.
- To store your strata, let it cool completely. Store in the fridge, covered for 3-4 days.
- To freeze a baked strata, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to reheat, place in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes (if thawed) or longer if frozen. For a quick reheat, microwave individual slices for 1–2 minutes.
Nutrition*
Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 249mg | Sodium: 854mg | Potassium: 388mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 916IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 375mg | Iron: 3mg
*Nutrition information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Actual values may vary based on ingredients, measurements, and substitutions.
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