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Savory Bacon and Gruyere Breakfast Strata

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A warm, hearty breakfast casserole featuring smoky bacon, nutty Gruyere cheese, and custardy bread cubes, perfect for brunch and easy to prepare the night before.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 6 cups cubed day-old bread (French bread or sourdough)
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives (optional topping)
  • ¼ cup additional shredded Gruyere (optional topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces once cooled.
  3. Cut day-old bread into roughly 1-inch cubes.
  4. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the bread cubes evenly. Sprinkle half of the chopped bacon and half of the shredded Gruyere over the bread. Repeat with remaining bread, bacon, and Gruyere to create two layers.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  6. Pour the custard over the layered bread and gently press down with a spatula to help the bread absorb the custard. Let sit for about 10 minutes.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle extra shredded Gruyere on top if desired for a cheesy crust.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  10. Garnish with chopped fresh chives and serve warm.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best custard absorption and texture. Cook bacon until crispy to avoid sogginess. Let strata rest after baking for easier slicing. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly. Can be assembled the night before and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon strata, breakfast casserole, Gruyere cheese, brunch recipe, savory strata, easy breakfast, make-ahead brunch

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/savory-bacon-and-gruyere-breakfast-strata-easy-recipe-for-perfect-brunch/