Serve the ultimate holiday brunch with this no-fuss and simple recipe for overnight smoked cheddar, bacon and mushroom strata.
The holidays are an insanely busy time of year, but they are also a magical time to celebrate and be surrounded by friends and family. I'm really excited to be partnering with Egg Farmers of Canada and their network dedicated to all things egg called EggcentricTV this holiday season to showcase 'Recipes That Give' in partnership with Food Banks of Canada.
This smoked cheddar, bacon and mushroom breakfast strata is the perfect recipe to share with your loved ones this holiday season. Giving homemade food to my friends and family is my favourite way to say 'Thank you' and to show them how much I appreciate and care for them and everything they do for me. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such an incredible support system who are always here to lend a hand when I need help, and offer their words of advice and encouragement.
This strata recipe has been making its way around to all of my people, both in the warm, fresh-from-the-oven form and in the straight-from-the-fridge with detailed baking instructions form because you can prep this breakfast strata the night before and either bake it off in the morning or drop it off with printed cooking instructions. It begins with eggs and bacon, like all delicious breakfast recipes do and gets elevated by the simple addition of high-quality smoked cheddar cheese.
I'm also excited to be back with a new video showing you just how easy it is to make this recipe yourself. The final recipe and the full-length video is featured on EggcentricTV, simply download the free EggcentricTV app (available on App Store and Google Play) or on Roku and go to the Holiday #RecipesThatGive channel and enjoy!
Smoked Cheddar, Bacon and Mushroom Strata (+ new video!)
Pin PrintIngredients
- 10 eggs
- 2 ½ cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb sliced button mushrooms
- 13 oz bacon, cut into ½" pieces
- 10 cups day-old Italian bread, cut into 1" cubes
- 2 cups grated high-quality smoked cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs with half and half until fully combined. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and most of their liquid has cooked off, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and wipe the skillet clean. Set the mushroom mixture aside.
- Return the skillet to medium heat, add bacon, and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the fat and transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate.
- Stir the bread cubes, mushroom mixture, bacon, and smoked cheddar into the egg mixture until evenly combined. Season with black pepper.
- Pour the mixture into a 9x13" baking dish. Cover with foil and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight, so the bread has time to soak up the egg mixture.
- When you're ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F and let the strata sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to take the chill off.
- Bake uncovered until puffed, set in the center, and golden brown on top, 40 to 45 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This recipe is meant to be made ahead. The overnight rest in the fridge is what lets the bread soak up the custard properly, so don't skip it.
- Use a good sharp smoked cheddar here. It's what gives the whole dish its flavor.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Egg Farms of Canada - as always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting my sponsors and allowing me to continue creating recipes like this smoked cheddar, bacon and mushroom strata.
Rita Terry
Yummy. I will pass on the link.
Lou
Thanks Rita! Glad you enjoyed.
Ayngelina
Hey Louisa. I’m making your sponsored post for boxing day brunch and realized we don’t have half and half in Nova Scotia. What milk fat percentage is it? I looked it up and it said between 10-18 but that’s quite a variance
Lou
Hi Angelina, I’ll answer this question here as well in case someone else has the same question, for half and half, it’s 10% milk fat. I hope you enjoyed it!
Rita Helpert
Looks delicious …will try soon.
Lou
Thank you Rita! :)
Pat Nolan
Tried the smoked cheese strata and it was so good my daughter here in Calgary says it will be on the menu for our Brunch on Christmas :morn…….the children loved it as well … they love bacon cheese and mushrooms.. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes……..get cracking…….Merry Christmas to you and yours….
Lou
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it, thanks Pat!
Mari Clements
it look so delicious being a bacon lover! It is also convenient to know you can freeze if or prep the next morning!
Mary Leipala
Looks amazing. I will make it for Christmas morning.
Lou
Thank you Mary, I hope you enjoyed it!
Suzie Burton
I am going to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Lou
Thanks Suzie, let me know how it goes!
Lori
Hi Louisa, definitely a recipe to try. It looks and sound wonderful! Thank you for sharing. Lori
Lou
Thank you Lori!
Fiori
Thanks Lou. This is a great idea for a Boxing day brunch as it sounds so tasty and easy to prepare!
Lou
Thank you Fiori, I hope you enjoy!