Ham and Cheese Breakfast Strata: Make-Ahead Casserole Recipe

One of my absolute favorite make-ahead breakfast recipes is this incredible Ham and Cheese Mushroom Breakfast Strata. If you’re looking for a stress-free way to feed a crowd (or just want an amazing weekend breakfast without the morning fuss), this overnight breakfast casserole is about to become your new best friend.

The combination of bread soaked in a rich egg custard, layered with savory ham, earthy mushrooms, and two kinds of melted cheese creates pure breakfast bliss.

Why You’ll Love This Overnight Breakfast Strata

This isn’t just any breakfast casserole – it’s a game-changer for busy mornings and special occasions alike. Here’s why this recipe has become one of my favorite dishes:

Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble everything the night before, then simply pop it in the oven the next morning. No early wake-up calls required!

Feeds a Crowd: One 9×13 pan easily serves 8-10 hungry people, making it perfect for holiday mornings, weekend guests, or brunch parties.

Customizable: While I love the ham, cheese, and mushroom combination, this recipe is endlessly adaptable to whatever you have on hand.

Budget-Friendly: Uses simple ingredients you probably already have, plus it’s a great way to use up day-old bread and leftover ham.

Texture Heaven: The contrast between the custardy interior and golden-crispy top is absolutely divine.

Key Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk about what makes this breakfast strata so special. While you’ll find the complete recipe card at the bottom of this post, here are some important tips about the key ingredients:

The Bread

• Best Choice: Day-old crusty baguette or French bread works beautifully. The sturdy texture holds up to the overnight soak without getting mushy.
• Pro Tip: If your bread is fresh, cube it and let it sit out for a few hours to dry slightly, or pop it in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.
• Substitutions: Sourdough, ciabatta, or even challah work wonderfully. Avoid soft sandwich bread – it tends to get too soggy.

The Mushrooms

• My Pick: I use shiitake mushrooms for their meaty texture and rich flavor, but baby bellas or cremini mushrooms are fantastic too.
• Important: Sauté the mushrooms until all the liquid has evaporated. Nobody wants a watery strata!
• Don’t Like Mushrooms?: Swap them for sautéed spinach, bell peppers, or caramelized onions.

The Cheese Combo

• Sharp Cheddar: Provides that classic breakfast flavor and beautiful golden color
• Swiss Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a nutty sweetness that complements the ham perfectly
• Alternatives: Gruyère, pepper jack for heat, or fontina for extra creaminess all work great

The Ham

• Perfect Use for Leftovers: This is my go-to recipe for using up holiday ham
• Deli Ham Works Too: In a pinch, thick-cut deli ham diced into cubes is perfectly fine
• Other Proteins: Cooked breakfast sausage, crispy bacon, or even leftover rotisserie chicken are delicious alternatives

Pro Tips for Perfect Breakfast Strata Every Time

After making this recipe countless times, here are my best tips for strata success:

The Soak is Key

While you can get away with just 1 hour of soaking time, overnight is truly best. The bread fully absorbs the custard, creating that signature creamy yet firm texture.

Room Temperature Before Baking

Take your strata out of the fridge 30 minutes before baking. This ensures even cooking and prevents a soggy center with overcooked edges.

Test for Doneness

A knife inserted in the center should come out clean, and the top should be golden brown and slightly puffed. The strata can deflate slightly as it cools – that’s normal!

Let it Rest

I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but let your strata rest for 10 minutes after baking. This allows the eggs to fully set and makes slicing much easier.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

One of the best things about this recipe is how well it stores and reheats:

Make-Ahead Options

• Overnight: The standard method – assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate.
• Freeze Before Baking: Assemble in a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the fridge before baking.

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Individual portions microwave beautifully in 1-minute intervals. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through.
• Freeze After Baking: Cool completely, then freeze portions for up to 3 months. Perfect for quick weekday breakfasts!

Variations to Try

This breakfast strata recipe is endlessly adaptable. Here are some of our favorite variations:

Veggie Lovers Strata

Skip the ham and load up on sautéed vegetables: mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, onions, and sun-dried tomatoes. Add feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist.

Southwest Style

Replace ham with cooked chorizo, add black beans and diced green chiles, use pepper jack cheese, and serve with salsa and sour cream.

Italian Inspired

Use Italian sausage instead of ham, add roasted red peppers and fresh basil, and use a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Bacon & Caramelized Onion

Swap the ham for crispy bacon and the mushrooms for sweet caramelized onions. Pure comfort food heaven!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use regular sandwich bread? A: While it works in a pinch, crusty bread really is best. Soft bread tends to get mushy and doesn’t provide the same satisfying texture.

Q: Do I have to let it sit overnight? A: For best results, yes. But if you’re short on time, let it soak for at least 1 hour at room temperature before baking.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free? A: Yes! Use unsweetened almond or oat milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

Q: My strata seems watery. What went wrong? A: Usually this happens when vegetables release too much moisture. Make sure to fully cook mushrooms until liquid evaporates, and if using frozen spinach, squeeze it completely dry.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Absolutely! Use two 9×13 pans or one large roasting pan. You may need to increase baking time by 10-15 minutes.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy this ham and cheese mushroom breakfast strata, you’ll definitely want to try these other make-ahead breakfast favorites:

Split Pea with Ham Soup – Another fantastic way to use up leftover holiday ham!

Overnight Brioche Cinnamon Rolls – For when you need something sweet alongside your savory strata.

Oatmeal Raisin Muffins – These freeze beautifully and round out any brunch spread.

Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole – More delicious make-ahead options for feeding a crowd!

Ready To Make It?

This Ham and Cheese Mushroom Breakfast Strata has earned its place as one of my most treasured recipes. It’s the perfect combination of convenience and deliciousness – assembled in just 15 minutes the night before, then baked to golden perfection while you enjoy your morning coffee.

Every forkful of this easy breakfast strata delivers the perfect balance of custardy bread, savory ham, earthy mushrooms, and melted cheese. Whether you’re hosting holiday guests or simply meal prepping for busy weekdays, this recipe never disappoints!

I hope this breakfast strata becomes as beloved in your home as it is in mine. Please leave a comment and rating below – I love hearing how my recipes work in your kitchen and any creative twists you add!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!

Originally published: December 17, 2017. Updated: December 5, 2025 – Enhanced with more detailed instructions, tips, and serving suggestions. No changes were made to the recipe.