When it comes to breakfast or brunch, this Southern Caprese Biscuit Breakfast Strata is one evolutionary dish. Not only is it super easy to make (all in one dish that is), but it also comes jam-packed with a ton of savory flavor with a lot of Southern comfort food elements. Based with soft, fluffy Southern-style biscuits that comes nestled in between mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, tomatoes, and a creamy well-seasoned garlicky egg mixture. The perfect vegetarian dish the colder months and Holiday season. Overnight + Make Ahead options.
This Southern Caprese Biscuit Breakfast Strata has been something that I’ve absolutely fallen in love with. Much like a traditional casserole, this Strata is the ultimate comfort food dish for any time of day, honestly!
While it is intended for breakfast or brunch, you can change things up a bit for the entire family by eating this as a weeknight meal for dinner. So versatile and the savory flavor is dynamite.
But the other awesome thing about this dish is that you can make it overnight or ahead of time, which can be such a lifesaver if you’re super busy or just don’t have the time. I mean, who doesn’t love a good make ahead dish?
What is a Strata, Anyway?
OK, so if you aren’t aware of what a strata is, then let me break it down. A strata is basically a layered casserole dish that consists of the following elements: bread, egg, + cheese. Like many casseroles, you can always add your variation of favorite ingredients to create a new flavor and experience with each dish. That simple, ya’ll.
What Type of Bread Can I Use?
When it comes to the bread base of a strata, there are SO many options. For this dish, I wanted to keep things simple with store-bought biscuits, however, you can chose to make your biscuits from scratch and add them in. Speaking of making your own biscuits, I highly recommend trying this Homemade Buttermilk Biscuit recipe by Sally’s Baking Addiction! Just incredible.
In addition, I love the idea of switching things up to create a new delicious bite, therefore, I’d recommend using either brioche bread, croissants, or even bagels. It’s truly up to to you and it depends on what you’re feeling in the mood for.
How to Make this Overnight or Ahead of Time.
Like I said previously, the best part about this dish is that you can make it overnight or ahead of time. Think about it—-imagine being able to make this the day before Christmas in the midst of all of the preparation for the big day of family festivities and just keeping it in the fridge and then taking it out the day of and baking it, slicing it, and enjoying? Whelp, it’s just that easy!
To do this, you’ll literally follow all of the assembly steps and instead of adding it to oven to bake, you’ll simply wrap your baking dish well and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours before removing it the next day and letting it sit at room temp for 20 minutes or so and then baking it. Wallah!
What Other Ingredients Can I Add?
The thing about most of my recipes is that I like to give some option to change things up for your best preference. With that being said, the same goes for the ingredients that can be used in this breakfast strata. While this recipe calls for parmesan, mozzarella, and tomatoes as the star ingredients, you can also create more savoriness by adding bacon, kale, spinach, chicken, or other cheeses if your heart desires. It’s truly up to you!
5 REASONS WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS STRATA!
It’s absolutely delicious—-soft + tender!
Super easy to make (plus, no crazy clean-up! Can we say–Everything in one baking dish?)
Loaded with cheesy garlic flavors, fresh herbs, + chunks of tomatoes.
Incredibly savory + well seasoned! (The best reason!)
Perfect for any time of day—Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner (if that’s your thing), whatever!
COMFORTING BREAKFAST OPTIONS THIS SEASON.
This Fall Harvest Quinoa Breakfast Bowl is a healthy option for a quick breakfast or brunch and comes packed with nutrients and works perfectly for meal prep.
These Cranberry Orange Breakfast Scones will surely bring forth some sort of brightness to the start of your day for everyone involved.
These Dairy-Free Blueberry Almond Breakfast Scones are absolutely the most scrumptious easy to make scones that you’ll ever taste! This recipe boasts a super flaky, buttery crust and a deliciously nutty , sweet, + tart filling bursting with almond and blueberry flavors.
Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal + Caramelized Oranges — the epitome of Fall in a bowl. This oatmeal is creamy, loaded with warm spices + maple flavor, and will surely keep you full all morning!
Vanilla Overnight Oats + Maple Spiced Pears! Vegan, Gluten-free, and only takes 5 minutes to whip together while you allow let the refrigerator do the rest overnight.
When it comes to breakfast, this Brooklyn-inspired Loaded Bacon, Egg, + Cheese Casserole is the epitome of an evolutionary dish. Not only is it super easy to make (all in one dish), but it comes jam-packed with a ton of savory flavor—-the absolute Brooklyn way!
What You’ll Need For This Strata?
Biscuits – Whether store-bought or homemade, this is the best part of it all! Creates the best base and soaks in all the flavor
Mozzarella Cheese – Makes things nice + creamy; plus, adds such rich cheesy flavor
Parmesan Cheese – Makes things rich in cheese flavor in addition to mozzarella
Herbs + Seasonings – A great addition of flavor. Adds such savoriness nice + a beautiful kick of spice
Olive Oil – Used for soaking tomatoes in for a true ‘caprese’ feel
Garlic – Adds a beautiful burst of flavor
Eggs – The thing that creates the custard and holds it all together
Ingredients
For Strata:
- 2 cups Almond milk, at room temp. (You can also use Whole Milk if preferred!)
- 10 large organic eggs, at room temp. (I use Organic Valley)
- 10-12 biscuits, store-bought or homemade (For store-bought, that's about 2-3 Cans; See Notes!)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp lightly packed organic brown sugar
- 2 cups organic shredded mozzarella cheese (I use Organic Valley)
- 1 cup organic grated parmesan cheese
For Tomatoes:
- 4-5 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I use Primal Kitchen)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt + black pepper
Instructions
- To start, simply lightly grease a medium baking dish (9 x 13″) with butter or cooking spray and pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Next, in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and salt, tossing them until tender and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, parmesan cheese, and herbs + seasonings.
- Add your biscuits pieces into the baking dish and spread around evenly. Followed by: sautéed tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and half of the egg mixture. Add the remaining biscuits on top and the other ingredients in the same order. Top again with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Bake casserole for 30 minutes (while loosely covering with foil), then remove foil and continue baking for the remaining 30 minutes, until edges are golden brown (or slightly dark brown, if preferred) and the center is set.
- Remove from oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- OVERNIGHT + MAKE AHEAD: To do this, you'll literally follow all of the assembly steps (up to Step 4) and instead of adding it to oven to bake, you'll simply wrap your baking dish well and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours before removing it the next day and letting it sit at room temp for 20 minutes or so and then baking it. Wallah!
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. Baked strata can be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply thaw out in the refrigerator overnight before leaving it at room temp. for 30 minutes and then heating in the oven.
- ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS: While this recipe calls for parmesan, mozzarella, and tomatoes as the star ingredients, you can also create more savoriness by adding bacon, kale, spinach, chicken, or other cheeses if your heart desires. It's truly up to you!
- BISCUITS: If using a store-bought version, I highly recommend using Annie's or Immaculate. Speaking of making your own biscuits, I highly recommend trying this Homemade Buttermilk Biscuit recipe by Sally's Baking Addiction!
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Southern Caprese Biscuit Breakfast Strata.
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