Lightened Up Egg Strata

Packed with ham, cheese, and a flavorful egg mixture, this egg strata is an easy and delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole.  

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Happy Saturday! Are you ready for the weekend?  After holidays, professional development days, and a handful of snow days, we finally had a five-day week of school.  While it was good to get back to a routine, I am so ready for the weekend.

The weekend is a time when life slows down a little.  It is a time when my family can sit, enjoy breakfast together, and linger at the table for a bit.

This egg strata is a family favorite weekend recipe.  Packed with ham, cheese, and a flavorful egg mixture, this casserole is breakfast goodness.  Inspired by Rita’s Egg Strata,  I have been making this recipe for many years.  I have tweaked the recipe along the way to lighten it up, while keeping all of the flavor. It has become a favorite of my family and friends.  You can load it up with a variety of meats and veggies, or just keep it simple. Give it a try and make it your own.

Put it together the night before, and then just pop it into the oven in the morning.  So easy and so delicious!

Begin with a small French baguette.  Slice the bread and lightly butter it. Place the sliced, buttered bread in the bottom of a prepared baking dish. Cover with diced ham and 1/2 cup of Cheddar-Jack shredded cheese. Add any remaining bread. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of cheese.

In a mixing bowl, combine a 16 ounce container of Egg Beaters, 2 cups of fat-free milk, and 2 cups of half and half.  To that mixture, add 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon mustard powder, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Add the egg mixture to the baking dish, covering the bread and ham.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of cheese.  Refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, preheat oven to 325.  Bake the strata for one hour at 325 degrees.   This is such a flavorful, filling dish, perfect served with some fresh fruit.  Enjoy!

I hope you get to enjoy some time with family and friends this weekend…and maybe linger at the breakfast table a bit.

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