Christmas Morning Sausage and Pepper Strata

Celebrate the morning with this savory Christmas strata. Featuring hearty Italian bread, seasoned sausage, and colorful peppers baked in a fluffy egg custard.

By EasyCooks Kitchen

Published October 12, 20268 min read

Total time: 1 hr 10 mins

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Rest: 10 mins

Serves: 8; Makes one 9x13-inch baking dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420; per serving, estimated

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A golden-baked Christmas morning strata in a ceramic dish, featuring sausage, peppers, and melted mozzarella.

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Transform your holiday morning with a dish that combines convenience and comfort. This strata layers savory Italian sausage with vibrant bell peppers and fluffy bread, resulting in a golden-brown breakfast masterpiece that brings everyone to the table. It is the ideal solution for busy mornings when feeding a hungry crowd requires something special yet simple to prepare, ensuring the chef can enjoy the festivities alongside family and friends without spending the entire morning stuck in the kitchen.

A strata is essentially a savory bread pudding that offers the perfect balance of textures, from the crisp, golden edges to the soft, tender center. By combining everyday breakfast staples like eggs, milk, sausage, and cheese with crusty bread, this recipe creates a substantial meal that feels elevated enough for a holiday celebration. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the way the ingredients meld together during the baking process to form a cohesive, flavorful breakfast that pleases every palate at the table.

The appeal

Why you’ll love it

The method relies on the bread acting as a sponge, absorbing the egg and milk mixture to create a rich, uniform custard throughout the dish. As the strata bakes, the starch in the bread interacts with the proteins in the eggs, causing the entire mixture to puff up and set firmly. This creates a structure that is simultaneously light, airy, and incredibly satisfying, while the sausage and peppers provide concentrated bursts of flavor and texture in every bite.
Layering the ingredients rather than mixing them entirely prevents the vegetables and meat from clumping at the bottom. By scattering the peppers and sausage over the bread before pouring the custard, the ingredients remain evenly distributed throughout the casserole. This ensure that every serving is visually appealing and consistent in taste, which is particularly important when serving a large group of people during a festive occasion like Christmas morning breakfast.

What you need

Ingredients

6 ingredients

Servings

Makes one 9x13-inch baking dish.

Base

8 cups Italian bread cubes
1 lb Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 cup diced red and green peppers

Custard

8 large eggs, beaten
2 cups whole milk

Topping

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Contains:

Gluten
Eggs
Milk

Served raw or lightly cooked

This dish contains eggs that are not fully cooked through. Use pasteurised eggs for pregnant women, young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Tools

Equipment

9x13-inch ceramic baking dish
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Spatula

Swaps

Substitutions

Instead ofItalian bread
UseSourdough bread or French baguette cubes
Instead ofMozzarella cheese
UseSharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Good to know

Notes

For the best results, use a sturdy Italian bread that has a thick crust. If the bread is very fresh, consider cutting the cubes and leaving them out on a baking sheet for an hour to dry out slightly; this helps the bread maintain its texture when soaked in the egg custard. The type of sausage can also be customized, though a classic mild or spicy Italian sausage provides the most authentic flavor profile for this specific breakfast casserole.

The baking dish size is crucial for the success of this recipe. A standard 9x13-inch ceramic dish provides the ideal depth to allow the egg custard to cook through without drying out the edges or leaving the center undercooked. If substituting with a different material, such as glass or metal, keep in mind that heat conductivity varies, and you may need to adjust the baking time slightly to ensure the center reaches the required temperature.

Prep

Before you start

Before beginning the assembly, ensure the sausage has been fully cooked and crumbled, and that the red and green peppers are finely diced. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for the baking process. Gather all necessary ingredients, including the bread cubes, eggs, milk, and shredded mozzarella, and prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish to ensure an efficient assembly process that keeps the kitchen organized and the cooking time accurate.

Step by step

Method

3 steps

Phase 1

Layering the ingredients

Step 1: Assemble the base
Arrange the Italian bread cubes in a large ceramic baking dish. Evenly distribute the cooked sausage crumbles and the diced red and green peppers over the bread cubes to ensure every serving has a balanced mix of ingredients.
You’ll need: Italian bread cubes · Italian sausage · diced red and green peppers
Look for: The dish should be evenly filled with a colorful mixture of bread, meat, and vegetables.
Tip: Ensure the bread is slightly stale or toasted for better structure.

Checkpoint

The dish should be visually appealing with a clear distribution of bread, sausage, and peppers. The bread should be spread in a single, even layer to ensure consistent absorption of the egg mixture.

Phase 2

Adding the custard

Step 2: Prepare and pour custard
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until fully combined. Carefully pour this egg mixture over the bread, sausage, and pepper layers, ensuring all the bread is well-soaked. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the entire surface.
You’ll need: eggs · whole milk · shredded mozzarella cheese
Look for: The custard should thoroughly moisten the bread without completely submerging the top layer of cheese.
Tip: Whisk vigorously to avoid streaks of egg white.

Checkpoint

The egg and milk mixture should be poured evenly, ensuring every piece of bread is moistened. The cheese should form a uniform layer across the top, ready to melt into a golden crust.

Phase 3

Baking until golden

Step 3: Bake to perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes until the center is set and the edges are bubbling and golden brown. Ensure the internal temperature of the egg center reaches at least 160°F (71°C) to be fully cooked.
You’ll need: Italian bread cubes · Italian sausage · diced red and green peppers · eggs · whole milk · shredded mozzarella cheese
Internal temperature 160°F (71°C)
Look for: The top should be golden and the center firm to the touch.
Tip: Cover loosely with foil if the cheese begins to brown too quickly.

Checkpoint

The casserole should be puffed and golden brown on top, with bubbling edges. The center should be set, and the kitchen should smell of savory sausage and toasted bread. Ensure the center is firm.

Doneness

How to tell it’s done

The strata is fully cooked when the center is firm and no longer jiggles when the dish is gently shaken. A thermometer inserted into the center of the egg mixture should read at least 160°F (71°C). The top should be a deep golden brown, and the edges should be bubbling and slightly crisped. Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven to let the custard set, which makes it much easier to slice into neat squares.

Avoid these

Common mistakes

A common mistake is using bread that is too soft or fresh, which can lead to a mushy texture rather than a firm, custardy bake. Avoid overcrowding the dish with too many vegetables, as the excess moisture can prevent the eggs from setting properly. Additionally, ensure the oven is fully preheated before placing the dish inside; placing the strata in a cold oven can cause the bread to become soggy before the eggs have a chance to set and rise, ruining the final texture.

Cook safely

Food safety

Safe internal temperatures

Cook to at least these temperatures, measured with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part.

Minimum safe internal temperatures
Food	Minimum internal temperature
Ground meat	160°F (71°C)
Egg dishes	160°F (71°C)

Raw or lightly cooked ingredients

This dish contains eggs that are not fully cooked through. Use pasteurised eggs for pregnant women, young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Better results

Tips

Tip 1
To add extra depth of flavor, consider sautéing the peppers briefly with the sausage before adding them to the baking dish. While not strictly necessary, this process softens the peppers and allows their natural sweetness to release, which complements the savory sausage perfectly. Always ensure the sausage is drained of excess fat before adding it to the bread to prevent the final strata from becoming overly greasy.
Tip 2
If you prefer a crispier top, you can place the baking dish under the broiler for the final two minutes of cooking. Watch it extremely closely, as the cheese can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. Using a high-quality mozzarella that melts well will result in a superior texture, creating that classic pull that makes a breakfast casserole so comforting and enjoyable to eat on a slow morning.

Make it yours

Variations

Spicy Sausage Strata

Substitute the mild Italian sausage with hot Italian sausage. Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the egg mixture for an extra kick that balances the richness of the cheese and bread.

Spinach and Feta Strata

Replace the sausage with fresh baby spinach and add crumbled feta cheese instead of mozzarella. The salty feta and earthy spinach provide a lighter, Mediterranean-inspired twist on the classic strata.

On the table

Serving suggestions

Serve the strata warm, directly from the baking dish. Use a sharp spatula to cut neat squares, ensuring you get a good balance of the bread, sausage, and peppers in every slice. Because this dish is quite hearty, it pairs beautifully with a side of fresh fruit or a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the eggs and cheese.

If desired, you can garnish the individual servings with a few fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. The strata is substantial enough to serve as the main event for breakfast or brunch, making it an excellent choice for hosting guests. Ensure that the dish is served promptly while it is still warm and the cheese is soft and melted, as this is when the texture is at its absolute best.

Leftovers

Storage & make-ahead

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe foil and freeze for up to 1 month.
Reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or microwave individual portions until hot.

If you have leftovers, allow the strata to cool completely to room temperature for no more than two hours. Once cooled, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer individual portions into an airtight container. Properly stored, the strata will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to enjoy again, ensure it is heated thoroughly throughout before serving, as this ensures both the texture and safety of the egg components.

Make ahead

This dish is perfect for making ahead. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours before baking. This allows the bread to soak up the custard overnight, resulting in a more uniform texture. If baking straight from the refrigerator, you may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the total baking time to ensure the center reaches the required temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can this strata be made ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is ideal for making ahead. You can assemble the dish completely and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours before baking. If baking directly from the refrigerator, add about 5 to 10 minutes to the total cook time to ensure the center is fully heated and set.

What is the best type of bread to use?

A hearty Italian bread or a sourdough loaf with a sturdy crust works best. These breads have enough structure to soak up the custard without turning into mush, providing a satisfying texture in the finished dish. Ensure the cubes are about one inch in size for even cooking.

How can the doneness of the strata be determined?

The strata is done when the center is firm and no longer jiggles when the dish is shaken. A thermometer inserted into the middle of the egg custard should read at least 160°F (71°C). The top should be golden brown and the edges bubbling.

Everything in one place: the recipe card below gathers the ingredients, steps and estimated nutrition, ready to print.

Recipe card