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Easy Spinach Bacon Strata

Easy Spinach Bacon Strata

Toasty bread, smoky bacon, and tender spinach bake in a rich, cheesy egg custard. A crowd-pleasing, make-ahead brunch favorite.
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter for greasing the dish
  • 9 cup day-old crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 7 oz thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 0.75 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced
  • 9 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1.4 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 0.9 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 0.3 cup green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1.6 cup beaten eggs
  • 1.125 cup whole milk
  • 0.45 cup heavy cream
  • 0.9 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.9 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.7 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 0.2 tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 7–9 minutes. Transfer to a plate; reserve 1 tbsp drippings.
  • Sauté onion in reserved drippings until translucent, 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  • Add spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted and most liquid evaporates, 2–3 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  • Combine bread, bacon, onion-spinach mixture, green onions, and most of the cheeses in a large bowl.
  • Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.
  • Whisk eggs, milk, cream, Dijon, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.
  • Pour custard over the bread. Press gently to submerge. Let stand 10–20 minutes or cover and chill overnight.
  • Bake until puffed, golden, and set in the center, 40–45 minutes. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Variation: Swap Gruyère for Swiss or add 1 cup sautéed mushrooms. For extra crunch, top with buttered breadcrumbs before baking. Leftovers reheat well at 300°F for 10–12 minutes; cover loosely with foil.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Easy Spinach Bacon Strata flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.