Spinach, Ham and Cheddar Strata

Strata: the cheesy, bready leftovers concoction perfect for mix-ins like spinach and ham.

Makes
6 to 8 servings
Cook Time
2 hours
Active time plus cooling
25 minutes active
Rating
5

Rich with cheese, crusty bread and an eggy custard, stratas can easily serve a crowd. These savory bread puddings are exceptionally versatile and can include a variety of vegetables and meats, such as the spinach and ham featured here. To streamline prep, we call for thawed frozen spinach; be sure to squeeze it dry so the strata won’t become soggy. This is a great do-ahead dish. Assemble the strata, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. The next day, the foil-covered strata can go directly from the refrigerator to the oven. Bake for 1 hour, then uncover and bake for about another 20 minutes.

Ingredients

2
tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1
10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1
medium yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
6
large eggs
4
cups whole milk
8
ounces country-style white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
8
ounces cheddar OR pepper jack cheese, shredded (2 cups)
4
ounces thinly sliced deli ham, roughly chopped (1 cup)

Step 1

Heat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the middle position. Brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon oil. Wrap the spinach in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze over the sink to remove excess moisture; set aside.

Step 2

In a 10-inch skillet over medium, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add the onion and ½ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Break apart the squeeze-dried spinach and add it to the egg mixture along with the bread, three-fourths of the cheese, the ham and onion; using a silicone spatula, stir until well combined.

Step 4

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and distribute in an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Step 5