Make-Ahead Spinach and Mozzarella Breakfast Strata

This make-ahead breakfast/brunch strata has cheese, eggs, and nutritious value from spinach.

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 55 mins

Total Time: 9 hrs 45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 pinches herbes de Provence, or to taste
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• butter-flavored cooking spray
• 8 cups cubed Italian bread
• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, or more to taste
• 9 large eggs
• 1 cup skim milk

Steps

1. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper; continue to cook for 1 minute more. Stir in spinach, remove from heat, and set aside.
2. Spray the inside of a 3-quart (9×13-inch) baking dish with cooking spray. Layer the bottom of the dish with 1/3 of the bread cubes. Top with 1/3 of the spinach mixture and 1/3 mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers twice more with remaining bread, spinach mixture, and cheese.
3. Combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk together until blended. Pour evenly over the bread and spinach layered in the baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 8 hours, up to 1 day.
4. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to allow pan to get to room temperature.
5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
6. Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, 45 to 55 minutes. Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving.