Are you tired of boring post-holiday meals that leave you uninspired? Prepare to revolutionize your leftover turkey game with the ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Strata Casserole - a culinary magic trick that turns yesterday's feast into today's most irresistible breakfast sensation! This crowd-pleasing dish combines the comfort of stuffing, the richness of turkey, and the creamy decadence of a perfectly baked egg casserole, creating a breakfast experience that will have your family fighting for seconds.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 8 slices of bread
- 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
- 1 cup leftover stuffing
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cut the bread slices into 1-inch cubes. If the bread is fresh, let the cubes sit out for 10-15 minutes to slightly dry out, which helps absorb the egg mixture better.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme until completely combined and smooth.
- Layer half of the bread cubes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute the shredded turkey evenly over the bread cubes, followed by spreading the leftover stuffing in an even layer.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the turkey and stuffing layer.
- Add the remaining bread cubes on top of the cheese layer.
- Slowly pour the egg and milk mixture over the entire casserole, ensuring it saturates all layers evenly.
- Top the casserole with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and let the strata rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly.
- Slice into portions and serve warm, garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or chives if desired.
Tips
- Bread Preparation is Key: Use slightly stale or day-old bread for the best texture. If your bread is fresh, let the cubes air dry for 10-15 minutes to help them absorb the egg mixture more effectively.
- Even Layer Distribution: Take your time when layering ingredients to ensure each bite is perfectly balanced with turkey, stuffing, and cheese.
- Moisture Management: The egg and milk mixture should be poured slowly and evenly to guarantee every bread cube gets saturated.
- Foil Trick: Covering the casserole for the first part of baking prevents over-browning while ensuring the center cooks thoroughly.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow the strata to rest for 10 minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes serving much easier.
- Customization Option: Feel free to add additional herbs or swap cheeses to make the recipe your own unique creation.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this strata the night before and refrigerate, then bake in the morning for an effortless breakfast.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 285kcal
Carbohydrates: 27g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 80mg
