Nestled in a warm and comforting strata are thick slices of fresh tomatoes, good bread, and a generous sprinkling of Cheddar cheese!
Slices of fresh tomato, thick slices of a really good bread, savory Cheddar cheese over everything.
Yeah... you know this post can only end well, and in deliciousness!
These layers are part of this Savory Tomato Cheddar Strata.
Inspiration for this strata came from a Tomato Pie recipe shared with me by my friend Annie. In that pie the tomatoes are layered with cheese in a pie crust.
Here, the flavors of the tomato pie are celebrated, but with a lighter texture. It slices up easily for serving for lunch, brunch, or a light dinner.
Why you'll love it as much as I do
The bread, tomato, and cheese layers are doused with a mixture of eggs, milk, and spices, then the whole thing gets a stint in the oven. As the bread soaks up the liquid, the cheese melts and browns, and the tomatoes soften and release their luscious, fresh flavor throughout the strata. The strata has a pillowy and soft texture throughout.
The dish is fragrant, savory and light. It makes a great accompaniment to grilled sausages (that's how my family got to enjoy it), or other grilled meats. It's also really nice as a savory dish for breakfast or brunch.
🔪 How to make this recipe
Step 1: Layer the ingredients
Layer slices of fresh tomato, sourdough bread, and sprinkles of shredded Cheddar cheese in a prepared baking dish.
Step 2: Make the batter
Whisk together the eggs, milk, and seasonings. Pour this batter over the layers in the baking dish.
Step 3: Bake it
Bake the strata for about 40 minutes. It will be cooked through and lightly browned on top. Give it a few minutes to cool, then slice and serve!
Notes:
- Sourdough bread is my favorite in this strata. You can try other kinds of good, artisan quality bread in this dish, too. Use a hearty bread that will soak up the batter and give texture to the strata.
Find the recipe for this Savory Tomato Cheddar Strata below. If you have a lot of tomatoes on hand, maybe these recipes will help you use them up:
💬 How do you like this strata? Did you use your garden tomatoes in this dish? Leave a comment below and let me know. And give this recipe a star rating, please.
Savory Tomato Cheddar Strata
Ingredients
- 4 slices of fresh or stale sourdough bread
- 2 large tomatoes, washed, and cut into ½-inch thick slices
- 1½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F. Spray the bottom and sides of an 8-inch x 8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Layer ingredients in the dish:
- Cut one bread slice in half and place the halves in the bottom of the dish. Cut another slice into long strips and use the strips to fill in the gaps.
- Layer half of the tomato slices over the bread, and then sprinkle ½ cup of the shredded cheese over the tomato.
- Repeat with another layer of the remaining bread, tomato slices, and cheese.
Make the batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, thyme, and pepper. Whisk until everything is well-combined.
- Pour the egg mixture over the top over the layers in the baking dish.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake the strata for 35-40 minutes. It's done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. (Check the strata after about 25 minutes: if the top is browning too quickly, place a sheet of aluminum foil over the top.)
- Move the pan to a cooling rack and let the strata cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve immediately.
- Makes 6 servings. Leftover strata can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Sourdough bread is my favorite in this strata. You can try other kinds of good, artisan quality bread in this dish, too. Use a hearty bread that will soak up the batter and give texture to the strata.
Nancy, this looks so, so amazing!
I hope you get to try it soon!