Description
Comforting veggie dinner strata brings layers of cheesy goodness to your table with minimal effort. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients meld together, creating a satisfying meal that delights with each hearty, wholesome bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 red bell peppers, diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Dairy and Protein:
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup low-fat or whole milk
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Bread and Seasonings:
- 1 loaf Italian bread, ciabatta or baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Butter, for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
- Introduce diced bell peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower to the skillet, cooking for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and develop slight caramelization.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk eggs, milk, and kosher salt until smooth and well-combined.
- Gently fold bread cubes and sautéed vegetables into the egg mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the liquid.
- Sprinkle shredded Cheddar throughout the mixture, stirring to distribute cheese evenly.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and eggs to set.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center becomes firm.
- Allow the strata to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, which helps it stabilize and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Swap bread with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour bread or cauliflower crust for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties such as goat cheese or nutritional yeast for unique flavor profiles and dietary needs.
- Maximize vegetable nutrients by lightly steaming instead of sautéing, preserving more vitamins and minerals during cooking.
- Enhance protein content by adding cooked quinoa or diced tofu to the mixture for a more substantial vegetarian meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 320 mg