Vegetarian Strata Recipe [Hearty and Healthy Breakfast]

The colder it gets outside, the more we tend to crave hot and hearty meals, which is why fall and winter are the seasons when comfort food is at its peak. Aside from a winter jacket, nothing prepares you for cold, dreary or snowy weather like a hot meal or drink to warm up your body from the inside out. You will love this warm vegetarian strata recipe, which is basically a veggie egg casserole with cheese and French bread all baked together.

This post contributed by Meredith Kimelblatt writes on behalf of Egg Beaters®. Visit www.eggbeaters.com to find other healthy breakfast and dessert recipes to cook this fall and winter.

First, what is a strata? Well, strata is a layered casserole dish, typically made with bread, eggs, and cheese, along with various other ingredients such as meats, vegetables, and seasonings. It is often prepared in advance and baked just before serving, making it a popular choice for brunch or breakfast gatherings.

Veggie Breakfast Strata Recipe [Vegetarian]

One of the best kinds of comfort food recipes that you can make during the colder seasons are breakfast casserole recipes. Not only are they delicious—cheesy, bubbly and filled with egg-y goodness, but they are also incredibly versatile. It’s easy to use eggs and whatever kind of bread, vegetables, cheese and protein you have on hand; breakfast casseroles taste good in dozens of combinations. And while some breakfast casseroles can be unhealthy, it is very easy to tweak recipes so that they are good for you.

Breakfast casseroles like this Strata also make great additions to holiday brunches. A strata is basically a breakfast casserole with eggs, cheese and bread in the mix.

This strata recipe is vegetarian and a great example of a healthy breakfast casserole. It’s low in calories (there are only 160 calories in one serving!) because it is made with egg substitute instead of shell eggs, reduced fat cheese and skim milk. Plus, it’s loaded with veggies- tomatoes, potatoes and mushrooms. If you don’t like mushrooms, feel free to add diced bell peppers instead or just omit them. Serve it to overnight guests this holiday season or eat it before you head out into the chilly temperatures to be full and warm without feeling weighed down. Enjoy!

Tomato Mushroom Strata:

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 50 min
Serves: 6
Calories per Serving: 160

Ingredients:

• PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 16-oz carton Egg Beaters® Original
• 1/4 cup fat free milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups French bread pieces (1-inch cubes)
• 1-1/2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, shredded style
• 1 14.5-oz can Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano, drained well
• 1 8-oz can sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1/2 cup shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese

How To Make Veggie Strata:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray an 8×8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray or prepare with olive oil; set aside.

Combine Egg Beaters, milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add all remaining ingredients to the egg mixture. Toss to coat veggies.
Pour egg mixture into a casserole dish or oven safe large skillet. If veggies clump up, spread them out into a single layer so you will have an even breakfast strata.

Bake for 50 minutes uncovered or until knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Cut into pieces and serve. Garnish with some fresh herbs (optional).

Your whole family will love this Egg Beaters breakfast casserole!

Printable Healthy Strata Recipe Card

Tip: If you don’t have French bread, choose another firm, white bread, dry bread or toasted bread. If you have extra French bread that goes stale, wrap it up tightly, put it in the freezer and use it the next time you want to make this recipe. A hearty bread or stale bread works perfectly since it will hold its texture better in the egg bake.

Tip: Feel free to substitute your favorite cheese in this recipe if you want to mix it up and try some new flavors. Here are a few you may enjoy- gruyere cheese, goat cheese, and feta cheese.

Conclusion

This easy strata recipe is straightforward and simple to make. The ingredients are typically common, and the preparation just involves layering them in a dish before baking. The recipe can be easily customized to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. You can add a variety of ingredients such as different types of bread, cheeses, meats, vegetables, and spices, if you so desire.

With the combination of bread, eggs, dairy, and various add-ins like vegetables, strata can provide a balanced meal that includes proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.This vegetable strata recipe is perfect for winter mornings, family brunch, and classroom breakfast parties. It is even a great vegetarian breakfast casserole to serve on Christmas morning. Enjoy and share your photos with #familyfocusblog!

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Instant Pot Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe

Hashbrown Egg Cups Recipe

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