This vegetable and cheddar strata is a savory bread pudding made with eggs, cheese, and LOADS of veggies. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for a brunch or lazy weekend breakfast.
vegetable and cheddar strata

Things are about to get brunchy!!

Which I love because it is pretty much my favorite meal of the day.

I mean, DAY DRINKING.

What more of a reason do you need?

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Really, though, brunch is just good old-fashioned FUN. You can have dessert for breakfast, breakfast for breakfast, lunch for breakfast…or ALL OF THE ABOVE.

There is no judgment at brunch. Order like you mean it.

I always feel like spring brings out the bruncher in me. I suspect this is because I have no desire leave my apartment when it’s below 50F, but as soon as the warm weather hits, I want to be out and about, nibbling on a Nutella donut appetizer with the sun on my face and a bloody Mary in both hands. It doesn’t hurt that spring also has so many brunchy holidays: Easter, Mother’s Day, Random 70 Degrees and Sunny Tuesday. How can I help but be in the mood?!

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In addition to being my favorite meal to eat, brunch is also my favorite meal to host. Lately, I’ve been really into throwing together big make-ahead breakfast casseroles that you can just bake off in the morning before everyone arrives. Totally low stress so you can focus on the important stuff (i.e tequila and coffee).

This vegetable and cheddar strata comes from the new Cabot Creamery Cookbook and it has quickly become a new favorite in this category. Filled with loads of veggies, a major amount of cheese, and all the carbs my heart desires it is totally brunch comfort food, but the kind that will give you enough energy to go about your day without putting you into a food coma. This strata is just one of many gems from this cookbook that get me excited to grab a block of cheddar and get munching cooking. In the brunch category, there’s also Quick Maple-Cinnamon Rolls that I drool over more frequently than I’d care to admit, Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake that puts anything you can buy at the supermarket to shame, and Red Pepper and Cheddar Egg Cups that are just too cool for school. And that’s just the first chapter! I love that all of the recipes in the book are tried and true favorites from the families that run the dairy farms that fuel Cabot Cheese production. By reading through the stories in the cookbook and making the recipes that accompany them, you actually start to feel like you know the people who are making your food…and that is definitely a good feeling.

Cabot has generously offered to give away a copy of the Cabot Creamery Cookbook to one of my readers, along with a $25 Cabot gift box! See the widget below for details on how to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Vegetable and Cheddar Strata
 
This vegetable and cheddar strata is a savory bread pudding made with eggs, cheese, and LOADS of veggies. It's the perfect make-ahead meal for a brunch or lazy weekend breakfast.
Yield: 8-10 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 2 red bell peppers, diced
  • 1 bunch of kale, stems removed and leaves torn
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
  • ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 8 cups 1-inch cubes of bakery style whole grain bread
  • 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar
  • 6 large eggs
  • 3 cups milk
Instructions
  1. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Heat oven to 350F.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the onion and bell peppers, stirring frequently until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add in the kale and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the thyme and nutmeg, and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  4. Place half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the veggies and half of the cheese. Repeat with remaining bread, veggies, and cheddar.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Pour the egg mixture into the prepared baking pan, over the bread, veggies, and cheddar. Press down to make sure it soaks into the bread cubes. Do this every 10 minutes for 30 minutes or put it in the fridge overnight to soak.
  6. Bake, uncovered, for 45-60 minutes or until golden brown and set.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Serving size: ⅛th of recipe

More savory breakfasts:

bagel, broccoli and spinach strata

Bagel, Broccoli, and Spinach Strata

butternut squash and kale strata

Butternut Squash and Kale Strata

artichoke and goat cheese strata

Artichoke and Goat Cheese Strata

From Around the Web:

Corn, Cheddar, and Scallion Strata from Smitten Kitchen

Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas from Diethood

Spiced Lentils with Poached Eggs from Girl Versus Dough

Sunburst Spring Vegetable Quiche from Well Plated

Loaded Greek Asparagus Omelets from Whole and Heavenly Oven

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102 Responses to Vegetable and Cheddar Strata {#GIVEAWAY}

  1. Oh yes ma’am. Day drinking (+ copious amounts of bread and cheese) are reason enough to celebrate Brunch as best meal of the day 🙂

  2. Beth says:

    My favorite brunch food is huevos rancheros. And I would LOVE to win this cookbook!

  3. Kaitlyn says:

    My favorite brunch food is probably cinnamon rolls. Or something with potatoes…. Hard to decide!

  4. Things should just be brunchy forever. This strata looks insanely delicious!

  5. Erica says:

    We both love brunch! There was this awesome place in college that was the best for brunch, it had pancakes the size of your plate but also fantastic egg scrambles. I’d always have the worst time choosing, but as of now I think my favorite brunch food is currently a lox bagel with cream cheese, tomatoes, onions, and capers. With potato chips! Ahhhh I miss college!
    This strata looks perfect for brunch, I like the use of those spices. Great idea Joanne!

  6. Shoshana says:

    An omelette stuffed with veggies and cheese!

  7. Do you consider mimosas a brunch food? If not, then bloody marys. Those are definitely food because they come with a side of pickles and olives 😉 I also LOVE strata though!

  8. Marina says:

    My favorite brunch food is French Toast Casserole. ‘Nuff said.

  9. Zainab says:

    Can I say mimosas? Totally what brunch is all about. OK..maybe with a slice of this 🙂

  10. oh my gawd, this vegetable and cheddar strata is everything!!! damn, looks so good!!! Fave brunch food: savory foods like this!

  11. YUM!!!

    My fave brunch food is either waffles or a burger 😛 the beauty of brunch!

  12. “Brunchy.” Um, that is my new favorite word right there. And um, this strata? NEED. Weekend brunchin’ here I come!

  13. Katherine says:

    Lately I love these savory Korean pancakes a local diner serves. I will always have those if given the choice!

  14. Tommy says:

    My favorite brunch food is any kind of cheesy strata

  15. Katherine says:

    My favorite brunch food is sticky buns.

  16. Monica says:

    I love, love brunch! Favorite brunch food is hard…I’ll say eggs, in some form…and toast!

  17. Oh my, this looks divine! And brunch IS the best, I agree!

  18. Alexandra robertson says:

    This strata looks soo good right now!! My favorite brunch food is an eggsadilla with lots of grilled or roasted veggies and lots of melty cheese and sriracha on top! Would love this cookbook!

  19. julianne c. says:

    my favorite brunch food is eggs bennie – i like mine with smoked salmon, spinach and tomato. and OF COURSE, a mimosa or bloody to go with. 🙂

  20. I can always count on you when comes to healthy, satisfying and delicious meals. This looks fantastic.

  21. MJ says:

    Do mimosas count as a food item for brunch?

  22. Emily says:

    Love your combo here! And so bright and colorful! And it looks like you nailed the ratio of eggs to milk to bread because some stratas end up way too eggy! But this one looks perfect.

  23. Kelsey R says:

    I actually love bringing oatmeal casseroles to brunch. It can be so filling and keep you full until dinner!

  24. Katie K says:

    This looks amazing! French Toast casserole is my favorite. With amaretto. 😉

  25. Incredible! This strata is begging to be eaten right this very moment. It looks so good, Joanne! My favorite brunch food is quiche. So you can understand my excitement over this cheesy strata.

  26. Julia says:

    Day drinking is pretty much my favorite sport…errr…activity. 😉 Love this veggie-packed cheesy strata and want it for all dem brunches!

  27. ali says:

    smoked salmon, cheese and eggs… yum!

  28. anna says:

    I love anything with eggs, but my absolute favorite brunch item is huevos rancheros. I think I’ve ordered them at every brunch place I’ve ever been (I’ve even tried to make them at home a few times!!)

  29. Such a comforting dish. Love all the veggies in this. Perfect with a refreshing drink!!

  30. Molly says:

    Um, tequila and strata for breakfast. Count me in!

  31. Oh my. This strata looks so good I could jump into the computer and eat it! Pity I am not across town or in your apartment. That’s a great idea, having a brunch meal I can pop in the oven while socializing. Love it!

    Count me in on this dynamic giveaway!

  32. Rachel says:

    this is so beautiful! love anything with lots of cheddar cheese 🙂

  33. Lisa says:

    Eggs and cheese and potatoes. In almost any incarnation. Why can’t places make good hashbrowns? I’m always disappointed. Also my husband doesn’t like to go out to breakfast/brunch. That’s the only bad quality about him. :0)

  34. Jessica says:

    My favorite brunch foods are French toast and/or ham and cheese omelettes.

  35. KL says:

    tough to choose…….pancakes or french toast

  36. Alison H. says:

    My favorite brunch food is sweet potato bacon hash with a fried egg.

  37. Marcia says:

    Give me a good bagel, lox, cream cheese, capers, a thin slice of red onion some Italian Roast coffee and I’m happy! Throw in a Bloody Mary and I’ll be your best friend.

  38. YUM Joanne! And just in time for a Mother’s Day brunch – we need recipes like this to get ready for next week- thanks and have a wonderful weekend!

  39. OUR favorite brunch food are deviled eggs, a healthy green salad and a great cappuccino to go with it!

  40. I am a HUGE frittata fan for brunch. I make them a LOT.

  41. i love a yummy quiche , thanks for the chance to win!

  42. I love anything with eggs for brunch….but an omelet is probably my MOST favorite!

  43. Kim Henrichs says:

    I love a good fancy French toast!

  44. OMG this is perfect for any time of day! LOVE!

  45. Carolyn says:

    (Very cheesy) omelettes are my favorite, yum!

  46. Kate says:

    I love eggs at brunch – strata, frittata, omelets!

  47. Whit says:

    This looks delicious! It would be a great way to use up extra veggies and old bread that are lying around.

  48. I am a huge fan of “dessert for breakfast, breakfast for breakfast, lunch for breakfast (AND) ALL OF THE ABOVE” so you bet I adore brunch! This strata is mouthwatering – and could be my favorite brunch food if I could taste it through my screen – since I cannot, I gotta go with pancakes – they are my fav for dessert, breakfast, lunch, dinner AND BRUNCH! 🙂
    Thanks for this Giveaway – that Cabot book sounds amazing

  49. Kate says:

    Mmm, pancakes!

  50. One of my favorite lazy meals is combining these veggies, cheese and eggs together in an egg scramble. Next time, I need to try this strata!

  51. i love french toast for brunch 🙂

  52. Denise M says:

    I like a tater tot breakfast casserole and a side of fruit

  53. This looks divine, Joanne! I love the flavours!

  54. Patrizia Trento says:

    My favorite brunch dish is french toast casserole..yummmmmmmmmm

  55. This looks so tasty and fresh. YAAAS! I love it 🙂

  56. Man, choosing my single favorite brunch item is tough… But I generally go for savory items: quiche, strata, etc.

  57. chloe says:

    looks so delicious!!!

  58. This looks awesome! I love brunch food, it’s just the best combination of breakfast and cheese and savory goodness 🙂 Love this strata! My fave brunch food (and this is hard) is definitely going to have to be gazpacho or nutella stuffed french toast. Now I’ve never ACTUALLY had nutella stuffed french toast, but let me tell you, I know I’d love it. And gazpacho may seem like a weird choice, but you get to eat it with tons of bread, it’s flavorful, and it’s light and zippy 🙂

  59. Lynn says:

    I love any brunch food that involves eggs and this would definitely fill the bill!

  60. haha, brunch does kind of equate with ‘day drinking.’ 🙂 I love how you’ve loaded this strata up with vegetables. It really looks like the perfect thing to wake up to (especially if it’s accompanied by a mimosa).

  61. I would eat this for brunch AND dinner! You know how I love to stick vegetables into everything, so this would go down so well in my place. My favorite brunch food…..would have to be savory crepes because I’m usually too lazy to make it at home!

  62. My favorite brunch food is a mimosa 🙂

  63. Eileen says:

    I love ALL the brunch foods! But because I had migas most recently, I’m going to say migas. 🙂 And coffee. Brunch is not complete without plenty of coffee for everyone. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

  64. Kelly says:

    This strata looks incredible!!! Love all that pretty kale! I love all brunch foods! So yummy!

  65. Hotly Spiced says:

    I do love to do brunch; it’s always long, slow and relaxing. I do like the sound of this bake with all the bread, egg and cheese xx

  66. Oh, I do love brunch too – Joanne – and I love strata and this one looks fabulous.

  67. Johanna says:

    This looks amazing – the colors are so vibrant! I definitely don’t have enough strata in my life.

  68. Lauren says:

    I like omelets for brunch.

  69. People just don’t respect strata or brunch the way they used to. We all need more of this in our lives. I am drooling over the flavors here. Perfect with an extra large mimosa!

  70. Jen says:

    I love bagels and cured salmon!

  71. Elizabeth says:

    My favorite Brunch Dish might be a Pancetta & Mushroom Crustless Quiche. Your Strata recipe looks very tasty!

  72. Sarah says:

    Eggs Benedict, in various fashions, be it with spinach/ asparagus, smoked salmon/crab cakes, different types of hollandaise – you name it!

  73. Kath the Cook says:

    brunch is where it’s at. this looks terrific!

  74. mira says:

    This is such a great meal Joanne! Love this stratta ! Need to try it!
    (Love omelettes :))

  75. Agness says:

    My boyfriend is an absolute cheddar freak!! He could eat it all day long and he is forced by me to eat veggies. Threfore, your recipe is just perfect for us! 🙂

  76. Laura W. says:

    Eggs benedict!

  77. Tracy says:

    I love brunch, but if there’s cream cheese Danish on the buffet, I’m a goner.

  78. Ania says:

    My favorite brunch would have to be an egg sandwich with avocado and spicy mayo!

  79. Kat says:

    I love omelets. Thanks for the giveaway.

  80. Christine says:

    I’m right with you on brunch-love. Best memories ever. Veggies, cheese, bread, what’s not to love plus the wonderful relaxed mood that settles over everyone! Would love to win.

  81. Lauren says:

    My favorite brunch food would be french toast casserole.

  82. easypeasy says:

    Looks and sounds sooooo good! 🙂

  83. Kelster says:

    Coffee cakes!

  84. Megan says:

    I love making stratas for dinner, this one looks great! My favorite brunch food is cinnamon rolls

  85. I love the strata. I love these dishes that you make the day before and them bake them in the morning.

  86. HS says:

    I love French toast bake for brunch.

  87. Johanna GGG says:

    I’ve never had a strata or heard of them before blogging. They sound like the idea make ahead brunch dish. Though I am never sure if there is a difference between strata and bread and butter pudding. Strata always sounds my brunchy. Perhaps that is it.

  88. Heather B says:

    I love strawberry cream cheese french toast bake.

  89. Christina says:

    I love huevos rancheros, with as many vegetables and spices as possible.

  90. Susan Christy says:

    Eggs Benedict!

  91. grace says:

    huevos rancheros, always!

  92. Katherine says:

    I just made the artichoke and goat cheese strata; it was amazing. They are now my favorite brunch food. I can’t wait to make this one!

  93. Because we don’t make them as often as other things at home, what I love when going out for brunch is crepes! When planning a brunch at home, I like to play around with different overnight french toast casserole options and fritattas.

  94. sarah s says:

    I like eggs benedict and cinnamon french toast. I definitely want to try that vegetable and cheddar strata it looks so good:)

  95. Laura says:

    i love a good frittata for brunch.. it’s simple and light yet so satisfying. dying to try this strata..looks amazing!

  96. Tanya says:

    This looks so good! I love any brunch that’s sweet and savory

  97. Sara says:

    French toast has always been my go-to brunch!

  98. Stephanie Phelps says:

    My favorite brunch food is hash-brown casserole!

  99. […] test out this recipe I’ve adapted from one of my favorite blogs: eats well with others (https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/2015/04/vegetable-and-cheddar-strata.html). Your family will be amazed at how good nutritious eating an taste, and even more surprised to […]

  100. Rae Fuleki says:

    I find myself with an excess of brie and mozzarella cheese (I know, weird right?)…can I use these or some combination thereof for this recipe?

    • joanne says:

      Absolutely! I would cube the brie instead of shred it if you are using it, but otherwise just use the same volume of cheese whatever combination you decide to use.

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