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Breakfast Strata

January 4, 2024 by Gina +

Toasted bread, breakfast sausage, cheese, and eggs. What more could you need for a breakfast? I will also add that it can easily be made ahead and it loaded with protein. What a great way to start the day.

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Every Christmas morning I host all our family for presents and breakfast. Breakfast includes a bagel bar and some type of baked egg dish. This year we went with this strata and it’s been on repeat ever since. I like to make one over the weekend and then heat it as needed during the week. I also like to top mine with a couple of fried eggs when I’m having leftovers. It is so flavorful and easy to make while also being healthy and hearty.

For the base, I like to use sourdough. Any hearty bread will do. It’s going to be soaking up eggs and milk so you don’t want something too soft. For the sausage, I like to keep it lighter with Italian-style turkey sausage. We love the flavor! I also add oregano and thyme which makes my family think this tastes like breakfast stuffing. I add milk, cottage cheese, and cheddar cheese which adds loads more protein to this dish. You can also add some veggies, I like to add defrosted frozen spinach, for some fiber. Hearty, healthy, easy to meal prep, and delicious.


Ingredients needed for the Breakfast Strata

  • 1 lb Italian-style turkey sausage
  • 3 packed cups of cubed bread (something hearty like sourdough, about 4-5 pieces)
  • 1 cup Good Culture cottage cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup frozen spinach, defrosted, and as much liquid as you can squeeze out
  • 6 large eggs
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar

How to Make the Breakfast Strata

  • Preheat oven to 325.
  • In a large oven-safe skillet, toast the bread over medium-high heat with olive oil.  Season with a little salt.  Remove then brown the sausage in the pan. 
  • While that’s cooking, whisk the eggs, milk, cottage cheese, and seasoning, including a good pinch of salt and pepper. 
  • When the sausage is done cooking, remove from heat.  Stir in bread cubes then pour the egg over.  Push it all down to get the bread covered.  Bake at 320 for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until cooked through and the tops of the bread are slightly crispy.  Leftovers are great with a fried egg on top!

What’s to love about this breakfast strata

  • This is a hearty and healthy breakfast that packs loads of protein to keep you satisfied.
  • It can be prepped ahead of time for easy reheating during the week.
  • It’s savory, cheesy, and full of flavor.

More recipes you will like…

  • Oat Flour Waffles
  • Cottage Cheese Pancakes
  • Creamy Polenta with Herbed Mushrooms

Tips & FAQ for the Breakfast Strata

What kind of sausage can we use:

I like using Italian-style turkey sausage because it’s full of flavor but lower in fat and calories. You can use whatever sausage you like.

Can we make these ahead of time?

Yes, this is a great meal to prep ahead. You can prep it at night and then bake the next morning. Or bake it and reheat it. I love having leftovers with a fried egg on top. Heat 10 minutes at 320


Breakfast Strata

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Breakfast
Calories: 334
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Ground sausage – I like turkey Italian style
  • 3 cups cubed bread (sourdough) packed tight
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup frozen spinach, defrosted then all the liquid squeezed out
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese more if you want to sprinkle some on top
  • salt & pepper

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325.
  2. In a large oven-safe skillet, toast the bread over medium-high heat with olive oil.  Season with a little salt.  Remove then brown the sausage in the pan. 
  3. While that’s cooking, whisk the eggs, milk, cottage cheese, and seasoning, including a good pinch of salt and pepper. 
  4. When the sausage is done cooking, remove from heat.  Stir in bread cubes then pour the egg over.  Push it all down to get the bread covered. 
  5. Bake at 320 for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until cooked through and the tops of the bread are slightly crispy.  Leftovers are great with a fried egg on top!

Nutrition

Serving: 6gCalories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 246mgSodium: 1063mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 3643IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 233mgIron: 9mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Recipes

Trackbacks

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    June 15, 2025 at 10:34 am

    […] © Gina Gibson […]

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It’s everything I want in a potato salad—tender potatoes, crispy bacon, fresh herbs, a creamy Greek yogurt dressing, and just enough mayo to keep it tasting like the classic version we all grew up with.

2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved if large
1 tablespoon pickle brine or white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, grated
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 celery rib, finely diced

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Season generously with salt. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 12-15 minutes.

Drain well and spread onto a baking sheet.

While still warm, toss potatoes with the pickle brine and Dijon mustard. Let cool for about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Add potatoes, bacon, celery, green onions, chives, parsley, and dill. Toss gently until coated.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Finish with extra herbs and bacon right before serving.

Save this one for your next BBQ, picnic, or weeknight dinner. ☀️🥔
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For this combination, here’s what I did:
Butter sourdough then grill on skillet. Add a layer of spread, I used mayo. Top with prosciutto then salami and turkey if you want. Arugula, balsamic glaze, and hot honey. Top with a ball of prosciutto.
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They’re soft, fluffy, naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup, and loaded with mini chocolate chips. I love having these on hand for those endless summer snack requests.

Made with ripe bananas, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, egg, vanilla, oil, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and mini chocolate chips.

Comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe!
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I blended 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1 egg, a little Italian seasoning and garlic powder, then spread it onto parchment paper. I topped it with turkey pepperoni and baked it until golden and set.

Once it cooled slightly, I stuffed it with a chopped Caesar salad and folded it up like a wrap. The result is crispy, cheesy, packed with protein, and one of my favorite lunches lately.

1/2 cup @good_culture cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pinch garlic powder
Turkey pepperoni
Chopped romaine
Caesar dressing
Fresh Parmesan

Instructions:
Blend the cottage cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until smooth. Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and top with turkey pepperoni. Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes or until set and lightly golden. Let cool for a few minutes. Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing and Parmesan. Fill the wrap with the salad, fold, and enjoy. *make sure you spread it evenly to avoid burning patches.
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My boys gobble these up!

Comment TACO and I’ll send you the full recipe 🌮

Save this one for your next taco night and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy family dinners.
The first recipe in my Summer Side Dish Series is The first recipe in my Summer Side Dish Series is this creamy herby potato salad, and it’s going to be on repeat all season long.

It’s everything I want in a potato salad—tender potatoes, crispy bacon, fresh herbs, a creamy Greek yogurt dressing, and just enough mayo to keep it tasting like the classic version we all grew up with.

2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved if large
1 tablespoon pickle brine or white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, grated
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 celery rib, finely diced

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Season generously with salt. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 12-15 minutes.

Drain well and spread onto a baking sheet.

While still warm, toss potatoes with the pickle brine and Dijon mustard. Let cool for about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Add potatoes, bacon, celery, green onions, chives, parsley, and dill. Toss gently until coated.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Finish with extra herbs and bacon right before serving.

Save this one for your next BBQ, picnic, or weeknight dinner. ☀️🥔
A good way to start the morning. Picked up our ord A good way to start the morning. Picked up our order from @supergoodbagel (order ahead so you can walk in and pickup). Also snagged some darn tasty cookies from @tropbonbakery
Sandwich season, my favorite season. We all need s Sandwich season, my favorite season. We all need some good sandwich combos for the beach days, the pool days, the park days, just the warm summer weather. 

For this combination, here’s what I did:
Butter sourdough then grill on skillet. Add a layer of spread, I used mayo. Top with prosciutto then salami and turkey if you want. Arugula, balsamic glaze, and hot honey. Top with a ball of prosciutto.
If you’re tired of hearing “I’m hungry!” every 15 If you’re tired of hearing “I’m hungry!” every 15 minutes this summer, make a batch of these Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins.

They’re soft, fluffy, naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup, and loaded with mini chocolate chips. I love having these on hand for those endless summer snack requests.

Made with ripe bananas, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, egg, vanilla, oil, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and mini chocolate chips.

Comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe!
You’ve seen the viral pizza wrap, but let me show You’ve seen the viral pizza wrap, but let me show you my protein-packed version.

I blended 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1 egg, a little Italian seasoning and garlic powder, then spread it onto parchment paper. I topped it with turkey pepperoni and baked it until golden and set.

Once it cooled slightly, I stuffed it with a chopped Caesar salad and folded it up like a wrap. The result is crispy, cheesy, packed with protein, and one of my favorite lunches lately.

1/2 cup @good_culture cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pinch garlic powder
Turkey pepperoni
Chopped romaine
Caesar dressing
Fresh Parmesan

Instructions:
Blend the cottage cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until smooth. Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and top with turkey pepperoni. Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes or until set and lightly golden. Let cool for a few minutes. Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing and Parmesan. Fill the wrap with the salad, fold, and enjoy. *make sure you spread it evenly to avoid burning patches.
CRISPY POTATO TACOS WITH BEEF 🌮 These might be on CRISPY POTATO TACOS WITH BEEF 🌮

These might be one of my favorite taco recipes I’ve made lately. Tacos de papa filling mixed with taco-seasoned beef, stuffed into soft flour tortillas and air fried until golden and crispy.

My boys gobble these up!

Comment TACO and I’ll send you the full recipe 🌮

Save this one for your next taco night and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy family dinners.
The first recipe in my Summer Side Dish Series is The first recipe in my Summer Side Dish Series is this creamy herby potato salad, and it’s going to be on repeat all season long.

It’s everything I want in a potato salad—tender potatoes, crispy bacon, fresh herbs, a creamy Greek yogurt dressing, and just enough mayo to keep it tasting like the classic version we all grew up with.

2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved if large
1 tablespoon pickle brine or white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, grated
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 celery rib, finely diced

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Season generously with salt. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 12-15 minutes.

Drain well and spread onto a baking sheet.

While still warm, toss potatoes with the pickle brine and Dijon mustard. Let cool for about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Add potatoes, bacon, celery, green onions, chives, parsley, and dill. Toss gently until coated.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Finish with extra herbs and bacon right before serving.

Save this one for your next BBQ, picnic, or weeknight dinner. ☀️🥔
A good way to start the morning. Picked up our ord A good way to start the morning. Picked up our order from @supergoodbagel (order ahead so you can walk in and pickup). Also snagged some darn tasty cookies from @tropbonbakery
Sandwich season, my favorite season. We all need s Sandwich season, my favorite season. We all need some good sandwich combos for the beach days, the pool days, the park days, just the warm summer weather. 

For this combination, here’s what I did:
Butter sourdough then grill on skillet. Add a layer of spread, I used mayo. Top with prosciutto then salami and turkey if you want. Arugula, balsamic glaze, and hot honey. Top with a ball of prosciutto.
If you’re tired of hearing “I’m hungry!” every 15 If you’re tired of hearing “I’m hungry!” every 15 minutes this summer, make a batch of these Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins.

They’re soft, fluffy, naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup, and loaded with mini chocolate chips. I love having these on hand for those endless summer snack requests.

Made with ripe bananas, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, egg, vanilla, oil, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and mini chocolate chips.

Comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe!
You’ve seen the viral pizza wrap, but let me show You’ve seen the viral pizza wrap, but let me show you my protein-packed version.

I blended 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1 egg, a little Italian seasoning and garlic powder, then spread it onto parchment paper. I topped it with turkey pepperoni and baked it until golden and set.

Once it cooled slightly, I stuffed it with a chopped Caesar salad and folded it up like a wrap. The result is crispy, cheesy, packed with protein, and one of my favorite lunches lately.

1/2 cup @good_culture cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pinch garlic powder
Turkey pepperoni
Chopped romaine
Caesar dressing
Fresh Parmesan

Instructions:
Blend the cottage cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until smooth. Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and top with turkey pepperoni. Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes or until set and lightly golden. Let cool for a few minutes. Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing and Parmesan. Fill the wrap with the salad, fold, and enjoy. *make sure you spread it evenly to avoid burning patches.
CRISPY POTATO TACOS WITH BEEF 🌮 These might be on CRISPY POTATO TACOS WITH BEEF 🌮

These might be one of my favorite taco recipes I’ve made lately. Tacos de papa filling mixed with taco-seasoned beef, stuffed into soft flour tortillas and air fried until golden and crispy.

My boys gobble these up!

Comment TACO and I’ll send you the full recipe 🌮

Save this one for your next taco night and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy family dinners.

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