This summer pesto breakfast strata is layered with bread, tomatoes, pesto and cheese. Pour some scrambled eggs over; let sit in the fridge overnight and in the morning you have brunch ready to put in the oven.
Yes, this easy summer pesto breakfast strata tastes like summer and if your mornings are sunny and cool, I heartily recommend eating this outside.
Serve with a great fruit salad and maybe a mimosa or Bloody Mary, and I guarantee your guests will be begging for an invitation to come again.
Hmmm. Well you better think this through first!
We've had a busy summer of company. Good company. Unexpected company.
It began in June when my brother and his wife came to visit and we headed to New Mexico; one of my most favorite places.
No sooner were they heading to the airport when we got a call from one of my husband's cousins. They were passing through that day and so came to visit for a few short hours that afternoon.
Within four days we heard from Manservant's sister. She and her boyfriend were planning on a trip to Colorado. They would be here in about a week.
Would it be OK to stay for three nights? They left Sunday and yesterday we picked up Zoe from the airport. Though she quickly departed to the mountains to celebrate the 4th at her boyfriend's father's brewery, she will be back tomorrow with the boyfriend and will be here until the 15th.
Needing to see ZOE, my parents are flying in next Wednesday for three nights and as of this date, that's all the company I know of this summer.
I do love company and family, but my yard is missing me!
Need something to serve guests?
Well, this summer pesto breakfast strata is perfect.
I love overnight breakfast casseroles because it makes waking up so easy.
No last minute fussing and everyone feels special waking up to a homemade breakfast.
My recipe archives contain several overnight breakfast casseroles to choose from; so if you need something to impress, any of these will do.
However, this summer pesto breakfast strata is savory and luscious, and best for using summer's bounty.
I love the pesto flavors in this and switching the pesto variety makes this strata worthy of many combinations.
Basil pesto is standard but I used the lemon oregano that's almost always in my fridge.
Having guests this weekend? Give this summer pesto breakfast strata a try.
But only IF you want them coming back!
I think this honey lime fruit salad from That Skinny Chick Can Bake would be perfect to accompany this breakfast strata. And I'd be happy drinking this Bloody Mary from Foodie Crush for brunch.
Some of my other overnight faves:
Overnight Reuben Strata
Overnight Mexican Egg Casserole
Overnight Everything Bagels and Lox Casserole
Please Enjoy and Share!
Recipe
Summer Pesto Breakfast Strata
- Prep Time: 25 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 Minutes
- Total Time: 1 hr and 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 Servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This summer pesto breakfast strata is layered with bread, tomatoes, pesto and cheese. Pour some scrambled eggs over; let sit in the fridge overnight and in the morning you have brunch ready to put in the oven.
Ingredients
1 c milk
½ c white wine
1 day old loaf of challah or peasant bread sliced into ½" slices
4 - 8 oz prosciutto
2 large handfuls of arugula
3 T olive oil
1 lb good cheese, sliced thin (I used a basil gouda)
3 ripe tomatoes sliced thin
½ c of your favorite pesto
4 oz goat cheese
4 eggs, beaten
Salt and Pepper
½ c heavy cream
Instructions
One day before serving, mix the milk and wine in a shallow bowl. Dip slices of bread into milk mixture and then squeeze out the liquid back into the bowl. Place the slices into a 9 - 12" diameter shallow gratin dish or quiche plate. Cover with one layer of prosciutto, and a handful of arugula leaves. Drizzle with 1 ½ T of olive oil. Top with ½ of the cheese slices, slices of tomato and then drizzle or dot sparingly with the pesto.
Repeat the layers starting again with the bread. Dot the top with goat cheese. Beat eggs with salt and pepper and pour evenly over strata. Cover with plastic wrap and press evenly all over with hands to make sure that everything gets evenly soaked. Place in refrigerator overnight.
The following day, remove the dish from refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350. Drizzle the top with heavy cream. Bake for 45 - 60 minutes or until the strata is puffy and golden. Serve immediately with extra pesto if desired.
Notes
Modestly adapted from Silver Palate Good Times cookbook.
Times above do not reflect overnight chilling time.
Chef Mimi says
What a fabulous idea! I’ve never seen one of these that appealed to me, but I think it’s the pesto element. Yum.
Christine says
Awesome! 🙂
Robin Daumit says
I love eggs, but truly I could eat THIS every night!
ally phillips says
What an impressive and deeeelicious strata to make on the weekend! And, if you have guests, they're gonna be blown away! Fabulous, Abbe!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Love this! Dining brunch alfresco sounds like a awesome plan. Love your fresh veggies and how delicious this would be to feed a crowd.
Gerlinde says
I am chiming in with Mimi , your new blog is gorgeous and so is your strata . I am not a big breakfast eater but it would make a centerpiece for brunch.
Mimi says
This is gorgeous, and it doesn't look dry like a lot of other make-ahead breakfast "casseroles." And speaking of beautiful, i love the new look of your blog!
Gloria Roa Baker says
Abbe this Strata looks absolutely wonderful ! love it ! xo
All That I'm Eating says
Look at all those colours! This looks so good and it's stuffed full of delicious ingredients.
Susan says
Wow, that's a lot of company! What a delicious way to feed those hungry mouths in the morning!
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
Oh my goodness this looks incredible Abbe! I love an overnight casserole and this is a beautiful way to enjoy brunch. Happy summer!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
You've definitely had a lot of company! Fun, but it can be work too. Good thing you have nifty recipes like this wonderful looking strata. Wow, this looks incredibly tasty! Bet this would be a hit with whoever is lucky enough to be visiting you. Thanks!
Liz says
Oh, my gosh, this strata sounds fabulous! Perfect for all your overnight company. Sounds like a fun, busy summer!
Alex says
1lb of cheese?!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Well, I didn't say you had to use all of it!
angiesrecipes says
wow..1 pound of cheddar...that must be really amazing!