Enjoy the fresh flavors of summer at breakfast or brunch with these Muffin Pan Stratas with Basil and Sun‑Dried Tomatoes. They’re simple to prepare, easy to reheat, and perfect for a quick grab‑and‑go meal any morning of the week.
The inspiration behind this recipe:
I was inspired by a photo of pane bianco in a recent King Arthur Flour catalog — a rustic, cheesy Italian bread studded with sun‑dried tomatoes and fresh basil. I followed the bread recipe as written at first and ran into trouble: the dough turned out too stiff when I used the full amount of flour. On the second attempt I cut the flour back and ended up with a silky, well‑behaved dough that rose nicely, but it didn’t develop the dramatic ridges and visible speckles of basil and tomato from the photo. It still tasted great, though, and since appearance matters, I turned the bread into something new: Muffin Pan Stratas with extra basil and sun‑dried tomatoes.
Stratas are a forgiving, delicious way to use homemade or leftover bread—especially when your loaf doesn’t look quite like the picture. They transform bread, cheese, eggs and flavorings into individual, custardy bites that are easy to serve and store.
What is a strata?
- A strata is a layered casserole built from bread, cheese and additions such as vegetables or meat. A custard of eggs and milk is poured over the layers and the dish is refrigerated so the bread can absorb the custard before baking.
Because the bread already included basil, sun‑dried tomatoes and cheese, I simply added a bit more of each and turned the mixture into individual portions baked in a muffin pan.
How to make Muffin Pan Stratas with Basil and Sun‑Dried Tomatoes
Cube the bread and combine it with chopped sun‑dried tomatoes, fresh basil and shredded cheese. Press equal portions into a greased 12‑cup muffin pan.
- Whisk together eggs and milk (or half‑and‑half), season with salt and pepper, and pour the custard over the bread mixture so it soaks into the cubes.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Bake until puffed, golden and set. Let cool briefly, then run a knife around the edges of each cup and lift the stratas out. Garnish with fresh basil.
For more great breakfast recipes, try my:
- Four Cheese Strata with Zucchini and Tomatoes
- Spaghetti Squash, Broccoli, Bacon and Cheddar Mini Quiches
- Savory Breakfast Strudel with Eggs, Sausage and Swiss Chard
- Spicy Baked Denver Omelet
- Hash Brown Frittatas with Kale, Bacon and Cheddar
- Sausage Egg Muffins
Muffin Pan Stratas with Basil and Sun‑Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 5 cups cubed Italian or French bread, packed
- 1/2 cup sun‑dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese (Mozzarella or Fontina)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk or half‑and‑half
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 12‑cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine cubed bread, sun‑dried tomatoes, basil, cheese, salt and pepper. Toss to distribute evenly and press equal amounts of the mixture into each muffin cup.
- Whisk together the eggs and milk (or half‑and‑half). Season with salt and pepper.
- Carefully pour the custard over the bread mixture in each cup, filling so the custard soaks into the bread.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the custard.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until puffed, golden and set. Loosen each strata from the sides of the pan with a thin knife and serve warm. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Assemble and refrigerate up to 1 day in advance; bake when needed.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave for a quick breakfast.
Freezer‑friendly:
- Freeze cooled stratas in airtight containers and reheat from frozen or thawed in the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. Adjust for dietary needs as necessary.
Like this? Leave a comment below!