Breakfast Strata with Caramelized Onion, Mushrooms & Thyme Recipe
Baked Egg Casserole (called Breakfast Strata) with mushrooms, caramelized onions, goat cheese and thyme, perfect for the holidays. Make it ahead!
How to Make the Best Breakfast Strata with Caramelized Onion, Mushrooms & Thyme
This breakfast strata with caramelized onions, mushrooms, and thyme is the ultimate make-ahead dish for holiday mornings, brunches, or anytime you want to impress a crowd without spending your morning stuck in the kitchen. The combination of earthy mushrooms, sweet caramelized onions, tangy goat cheese, and fragrant fresh thyme creates layers of flavor that go far beyond your average egg casserole.
The beauty of a strata lies in how the toasted bread cubes soak up the creamy egg mixture overnight, resulting in a texture that’s custardy on the inside with irresistibly crispy edges. Adding crispy bacon takes it over the top, though the dish is equally delicious without it for a vegetarian-friendly option.
Whether you’re hosting Christmas morning breakfast, a weekend brunch gathering, or simply want a satisfying meal that feeds a crowd, this breakfast strata delivers. Prepare it the night before, pop it in the oven the next morning, and enjoy a stress-free start to your day.
Breakfast Strata with Caramelized Onion, Mushrooms & Thyme
Baked Egg Casserole (called Breakfast Strata) with mushrooms, caramelized onions, goat cheese and thyme, perfect for the holidays. Make it ahead!
Ingredients
Bread & Bacon
Caramelized Onions & Mushrooms
Egg Mixture
Cheese
Garnish
Instructions
Prep the Bread & Bacon
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut bread into ¾ inch cubes and lay on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 10 minutes.
- If adding bacon, spread out on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until crisp. Blot, then cut into small pieces.
Caramelize Onions & Mushrooms
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add thinly sliced onions. Sauté, mixing often for 2-3 minutes, then turn heat down to medium-low. Continue cooking until golden and tender, about 10 minutes.
- In another large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add fresh thyme and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook off any liquid.
- Add the caramelized onions to the mushrooms and set aside.
Assemble & Bake
- In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, add the toasted cubed bread. Add the mushroom-onion-thyme mixture and bacon crumbles if using. Add the grated cheese and ⅔ of the crumbled goat cheese (saving the rest for the top). Gently mix.
- Pour in the eggs and give a gentle stir. Let stand 5 minutes.
- Stir again and pour into a well-greased 4 quart baking dish. (At this point you could refrigerate overnight.)
- Cover with foil and place in the 400°F oven. Bake for 35 minutes.
- Uncover, lower heat to 375°F, and continue baking 20-30 more minutes until puffed and golden. During the last 10 minutes of baking, scatter the remaining goat cheese over the top and let it melt.
- Garnish with a few thyme sprigs before serving.
Notes
- This strata can be assembled the night before and refrigerated overnight—just add about 10 extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
- Feel free to substitute the goat cheese with feta or cream cheese if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon.
