Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Festive Spinach & Cheese Strata, where layers of crusty bread soak up a rich egg custard infused with vibrant spinach and gooey cheese. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy brunches, this dish offers an inviting aroma and a delightful texture that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Easy to prepare and endlessly adaptable, it’s a crowd-pleaser that transforms simple ingredients into a memorable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups stale bread, cubed
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried herbs (optional): thyme or oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the diced onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk (or cream), cream cheese, salt, pepper, and optional herbs until smooth.
- Layer the cubed stale bread in the greased baking dish followed by the sautéed vegetables and both cheeses. Pour the custard mixture evenly over everything.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until puffed up and golden brown on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/8 of dish)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 220mg