Marilyns Treats

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Turkey Ham and Cheese Strata

Breakfast· Recipe Archive

Brunch for a crowd?

Layer it all in the baking dish the day before serving.

Just pop it in the oven for a fuss free, easy on the host brunch.

When you add turkey ham to the fresh eggs and bread this strata goes a long way on keeping you satisfied.Turkey Ham and Cheese Spinach Strata when you add turkey ham to the fresh eggs and bread this strata goes a long way on keeping you satisfied

Turkey Ham and Cheese Strata

This is our go to brunch for Christmas morning every year.

The veggies are just what your diet needs after all the holiday munching and tasting of cookies, fudge and other goodies.

You can easily use all types of ham for the recipe to still come out delicious. But Turkey Ham is more health friendly.

Remember the more sauce or toppings baked into your ham also add calories.

Adding the turkey ham to the fresh eggs and bread, this strata goes a long way on keeping you satisfied.

These are the INGREDIENTS you will need:

  • 12 slices bread
  • 3/4 lb. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 10 oz pkg frozen spinach cooked and drained
  • 1 lb turkey ham
  • 6 beaten eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 5 Tbs minced green onions with stems

These are the INSTRUCTIONS for preparation:

  • Cut up bread scraps as for dressing. Put in bottom of 12x9x2 pan. Layer apinach, cheese ( reserve some for top), ham. Put bread circles on top.
  • Combine milk, eggs, salt, mustard, and onions (reserve some for top). Pour over pan being certain to cover bread circles.
  • Top with paprika and onions as a garnish.
  • Put in refrigerator overnight, covered with plastic wrap.
  • Bake uncovered, in preheated 325 F oven for about 55 minutes. Add reserved cheese over the top with about 5 minutes left of cooking time.
  • Remove and let stand about 10 minutes before cutting.

What a tasty and colorful dish to serve your family anytime of the day or year.

Just be sure to make enough for seconds and leftovers.

Preparing it the day before allows you to give yourself the gift of time the day you serve this Turkey Ham and Cheese Strata.

All the flavors of the ingredients also have time to combine as it sits in the fridge waiting to be cooked.

All the dishes are put away too! No mess and no fuss as you bake your Turkey Ham and Cheese Strata.

You even start with an empty dishwasher. All your dirty cups, plates and utensils now have a chance to be washed in just one load.

That also saves energy and money! WIN WIN!

Some of you may ask “what is a strata anyway?”

Don’t feel bad. I made one but didn’t actually know why it is called strata.

I figured we could learn together.

Wikipedia describes it as “Strata or stratta as a family of layered casserole dishes in American cuisine. The most common modern variant is a brunch dish, made from a mixture which mainly consists of bread, eggs and cheese. It may also include meat or vegetables”. 

So in other words, a mixture of compatible leftovers made into a casserole and served for brunch.

Another dish defining itself by the ingredients. A let down for me.

So now we know what it is, how about we get into this combination of good food?

I use mainly leftovers to prepare my strata.

Since I always make it for the morning after a holiday meal the ingredients are what is leftover after a large meal and a smaller meal.

Accounting for giving a container of leftovers to my guests that aren’t spending the night, that usually doesn’t leave much food.

Being an Italian myself and wife .to a proud Polish family I do what I need to do.

I make enough food to feed an army.

And since that army usually consists of 30-35 people that is a lot of food.

And now you know the reason I make so many different dishes.

I need enough for strata!

I don’t want anyone to leave hungry or have nothing to look forward to the day after the feast. And feast it is.

This particular recipe was introduced to me by my stepmom.

She is a frugal woman being raised during the depression and food lines.

She never wastes a morsel of food.

And her leftovers always are wrapped in bread bags. Who can relate to that?

Since she also takes advantage of preparing the night before, I have never had the opportunity to actually cook with her.

I think it is because she keeps the counters spotless as she cooks.

In any event my job is to bake the strata and cut it to be plated.

I only get to really see what is in her strata, how it reacts when cooked. I can observe what melts around each ingredient and the firmness of it all.

That observation has taught me what works best and what to avoid when I make my own.

I change up my own recipe according to what I have left in the fridge.

I usually use already cooked spinach instead of frozen.

But I have noticed the spinach doesn’t hold up as well when it is fresh and the dish tends to be somewhat drier.

I always have broccoli for the holiday and more often than not add that into the mix. I have been known to only use the broccoli also.

Even though it is cooked the broccoli keeps its texture. And I usually cook it al dente which also helps.

I have never had a complaint when I serve strata. The family is too busy eating than do more than grunt.

I take that as a success.

To go along with my strata I have appetizer bites of the leftover desserts and other treats from the holiday meal.

And of course there is a veggie tray with dip on hand courtesy of my sister.

I must admit that is one of the perks of this brunch.

I can partake in the bits of foods I couldn’t fit on my plate the day before.

And my sugar levels appreciate that I waited for the next day brunch.

I hope your family enjoys this Turkey Ham and Cheese Strata when you serve it to them!

When you add turkey ham to the fresh eggs and bread this strata goes a long way on keeping you satisfied.Turkey Ham and Cheese Spinach Strata when you add turkey ham to the fresh eggs and bread this strata goes a long way on keeping you satisfied

Turkey Ham and Cheese Strata

Brunch for a crowd? Make it the night before. Layer it all in the baking dish the day before serving.
4.92 from 24 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, ham, strata
Method: Bake
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Adjust Servings: 12
Calories: 375kcal
Author: Marilyn Lesniak

Ingredients

  • 12 slices bread
  • .75 lb shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 10 oz pkg frozen spinach
  • 1 lb turkey ham
  • 6 medium beaten eggs
  • 2.5 cups milk
  • .5 tsp salt
  • .5 tsp dry mustard
  • 5 Tbs minced green onions with stems

Instructions

  • Cut up bread scraps as for dressing. Put in bottom of 12x9x2 pan. Layer apinach, cheese ( reserve some for top), ham. Put bread circles on top.
  • Combine milk, eggs, salt, mustard, and onions (reserve some for top). Pour over pan being certain to cover bread circles.
  • Top with paprika and onions as a garnish.
  • Put in refrigerator overnight, covered with plastic wrap.
  • Bake uncovered, in preheated 325 F oven for about 55 minutes. Add reserved cheese over the top with about 5 minutes left of cooking time.
  • Remove and let stand about 10 minutes before cutting.

Notes

©MARILYN’S TREATS. All images are copyright protected. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 375kcal (19%) | Carbohydrates: 28g (9%) | Protein: 23g (46%) | Fat: 19g (29%) | Saturated Fat: 11g (55%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 197mg (66%) | Sodium: 1081mg (45%) | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 6g (7%) | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @marilyn_lesniak or tag #marilynstreats!

Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.

Conversion Information We get a lot of requests to help with conversions especially between various countries like Canada, the U.K. and Australia. These tables should help you make those conversions. For your convenience we have included a Conversion Chart.

Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankRhonda M. Gales says

    This sounds delicious and perfect for a crowd. I’ll be getting together with my siblings, 7 of us, and this will be one of the breakfast dishes I prepare. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  3. blankMiz Helen says

    Congratulations! Your awesome post is featured on Full Plate Thursday,515 this week., and we pinned it to our Features Board. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and thanks so much for sharing your talent with us!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  4. blankRachelle says

    Marilyn, this is the kind of recipe I love to prepare for Christmas morning or a brunch.
    I am happy to feature it at the next Friday with Friends link party!
    Thanks for joining the fun, and Merry Christmas to you and yours
    Hugs
    RR

    Reply

  7. blankKim-madeinaday says

    This recipe looks super yummy Marilyn! I love make ahead dishes for the holidays! Pinned! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! We hope you will join us again next week!
    Kim

    Reply

  8. blankMenaka M says

    sounds and looks truly yumm, we dont cook turkey much but I would try this the next time I get some turkey. Thanks for joining us in Bloggers Pit Stop – Pit stop crew

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      You are welcome Menaka! I am seriously thinking about taking in some literature on what different cultures use in their recipes. I am really loving this new restaurant near me that has a sectional menu for ideas. Enjoy!

      Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      This makes a perfect brunch because you can make it ahead and everyone eats together. I hope you get a chance to make it Kippi!

      Reply

  11. blankApril J Harris says

    This is definitely a fantastic way to feed a crowd, Marilyn! I love all the flavours and the addition of the spinach too. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party! Have a lovely week ahead!

    Reply

  12. blankClearissa Coward says

    This is my kinda recipe…prepare in advance. Frankly, I’ve never heard of Strata before. But I think this is something I will definitely try. Another one that I think my hubs would love. He loves comfort foods. TFS

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      My favorite recipes are prepared the night before then cooked right before you serve. Well, crock pot too. I hope you like it! Stratas are great for holidays and get togethers. You can literally put all kinds of veggies and cheeses in them. Enjoy!

      Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      This is such a great dish. It lets you have all the mess the night before and everyone gets to eat at the same time. I hope you are enjoying your week!

      Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      This is th quickest and most tasteful recipe. The cherry on top is it is made the. Night before. It can’t get better. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. have a great week!

      Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      Ham was the original recipe. But actually you can use any protein you like. I love meat and have used bacon and ground beef as well. Skip the meat all together and it is still tasty. Merry Christmas.

      Reply

  20. blankKathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says

    That looks perfect, Marilyn. I do like to prepare things the night before, clean up the dishes and any mess. Start fresh and easy the next day with it all ready to put in the oven and enjoy. Makes me feel efficient and in control LOL.

    Kathleen
    Blogger’s Pit Stop

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      I agree Kathleen. Control of the meal and kitchen is my main goal. Anything I can finish and clean up before hand is yops in my book! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

      Reply

  22. blankJulie says

    I’ve never heard of Strata before, I’m not sure if that’s just me or if it’s not a thing here in the UK. It sounds like a savoury version of our bread and butter pudding. Looks delicious and sounds idea for entertaining as you can make it the night before 🙂

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      I think is would be similar. It is a breakfast casserole you can make ahead of time. It is very good and convenient! Thanks for commenting your thoughts Julie! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

      Reply

  34. blankMiz Helen says

    Your Turkey Ham and Cheese Strata will be perfect for the left over Turkey! Hope you have a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  35. blankNikki Frank-Hamilton says

    I love breakfast for any meal, and this looks quick to put together, versatile and delish! As you know I am gluten free, I’ve found a great bread without gluten, but I never eat the ends of the loaf. This will give me something to use them for! Brilliant. I’ll throw them in the freezer and save to make this Strata. As always, you come through with a great recipe and a great solution to my “heel” issue! LOL

    Reply

  39. blankSandra L Garth says

    In a few weeks, our adult children will arrive bringing with them voracious appetites. This is perfect! Thanks for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story Link Party and have a great weekend.

    Reply

  48. blankPatty Gordon says

    Its sad how I barely ever cook turkey during the year and even more sad at how quickly I run out of ideas as to what to do with the left overs! Thanks so much for posting this at the Turn It Up Tuesday link party!

    Reply

  51. blankMother of 3 says

    I make some sort of quiche, strata, or fritatta for Christmas brunch every year too. I never thought to put turkey in mine though; what a great idea. I sure have plenty of it left!

    Reply

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