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One Pan High-Protein Breakfast Strata

Name: One Pan High Protein Breakfast Strata
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 Eggs; 3/4 Cup Milk ((your choice)); 1 Cup Cottage Cheese; 3/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated and divided); 1 Baguette (cubed into 1-inch pieces - this is approximately 3 cups of bread); 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil; 1 Leek (halved and thinly sliced); 1 Small Onion (finely diced - this is approximately 1/2 cup); 4 Cloves Garlic; 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning; 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt; 1 Cup Baby Cherry Tomatoes (halved); 1 10 Ounce Package Frozen Spinach (thawed with the moisture squeezed out - this is approximately 2 cups of fresh spinach)

By Nicole Modic ⎯

January 13, 2025

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It’s time to start the new year off with the a healthy, delicious, high-protein breakfast that is made to impress! This is my One Pan High-Protein Breakfast Strata, and it’s made from a combination of fresh veggies, crispy golden bread, creamy cottage cheese, and fluffy eggs. Whether you’re looking for a prep-ahead breakfast to fuel you throughout the week or the perfect at-home brunch dish to impress your friends and family, this dish is it!

What is a Strata?

If you’ve never heard of a strata, then prepare to fall in-love. A strata is a layered casserole-like dish that combines all of the elements of the classic frittata that you know and love (the fluffy eggs, creamy cheese, tender cooked veggies, and lots of spices), but adds one extra special ingredient… toasted bread! I mean truly, what could be better than that? Think of it like the classic eggs with toast, but made even better, since the bread is toasted in a pan until it’s golden brown and then baked to absolute perfection. And yes, you can substitute the traditional baguette for a gluten-free one, if desired. ☻

But the thing I love the most about this strata? It’s loaded with protein, thanks to the eggs and one of my favorite ingredients… cottage cheese. If you aren’t a fan of cottage cheese by itself, that’s totally okay, because you won’t even taste it in this recipe! Instead, it packs protein into this dish, helping you stay fuller, longer. While I don’t generally count macronutrients, the one that I do track is my protein intake. Protein is what helps you build muscle and recover quickly, as well as regulate your blood sugar and improve your mood!

I love to prep this strata as a delicious high-protein breakfast option ton enjoy on the days where I don’t have a ton of time to make something from scratch. Since one whole strata yields 8 servings, it’s perfect for making ahead, storing in the fridge or freezer, and reheating quickly on those busy mornings!

A flat lay of ingredients on a marble surface, including eggs, milk, olive oil, chopped leeks, garlic, cheese, spices, salt, bread cubes and slices, cooked spinach, cherry tomatoes, and cottage cheese. — To make this strata, you’ll need eggs, milk, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, a baguette, olive oil, onion, garlic, leeks, Italian seasoning, sea salt, baby tomatoes, and spinach.

A hand holds a whisk over a bowl of grated cheese and egg mixture. Surrounding the bowl are eggshells, cherry tomatoes, a bottle of oil, bread cubes, and kitchenware on a countertop. — To make this strata, you’ll need eggs, milk, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, a baguette, olive oil, onion, garlic, leeks, Italian seasoning, sea salt, baby tomatoes, and spinach.

What You Need to Make This Better-Than-Brunch Egg Dish

Eggs: Of course, it wouldn’t be a strata without the eggs!
Milk: Pick your favorite milk and use it in this recipe! Both dairy and non-dairy milk work just as well.
Cottage Cheese: Don’t knock it until you try it – the cottage cheese packs this strata full of protein, helping you stay fuller, longer.
Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle of parmesan cheese adds a salty, tangy flavor that tastes absolutely delicious in this strata. You’ll use half in the eggs and half as a garnish on top (for that delicious, cheesy topping).
Baguette: What separates a strata from a quiche is the delicious, crunchy, bread topping. I like using a baguette, as it crisps up to that nice, golden color in the pan.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is full of healthy fats and is perfect for toasting the bread and cooking the onion and garlic in this recipe.
Onion & Garlic: The combination of fresh onion and garlic adds the best flavor to this recipe.
Leek: I love the way that tender cooked leeks taste with eggs, and this recipe is no exception.
Italian Seasoning: A little Italian seasoning goes a long way.
Sea Salt: A pinch of salt adds the perfect balance of flavor to this strata.
Baby Tomatoes: Baby tomatoes add a burst of flavor and a pop of color to this strata. Don’t skip it!
Spinach: You can use fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe! If you use frozen, be sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out the excess moisture, so that it cooks down properly.

Top view of croutons in a skillet on a pink marble surface, surrounded by ingredients like chopped leeks, cherry tomatoes, a salt bowl, and cheese sauce. Bread cubes on a cutting board and a bowl of grated cheese are also visible. — Next, heat a cast iron skillet, on the stove, and add in the olive oil. Cube the baguette – then, once the oil is hot, add the cubed bread to the pan alongside a pinch of sea salt and ground black pepper. Toss the bread until it’s crispy and golden.

How to Make This Light & Fluffy High-Protein Breakfast

To make this breakfast strata, start by preheating your oven to 350 F. Next, crack the eggs into a large bowl, then add in the milk, cottage cheese, and 1/2 cup of the grated parmesan cheese (reserving the rest for later). Whisk them together until they’re as smooth as possible. The mixture will be slightly thick and chunky, thanks to the cottage cheese, which is okay. Set the egg mixture aside, then prepare the bread by slicing it into cubes. Then, heat a cast iron skillet, on the stove, over medium heat, and add in the olive oil.

Once the oil is hot, add the cubed bread to the pan alongside a pinch of sea salt and ground black pepper. Toss the bread until it’s crispy and golden. Then, once it’s done, transfer it to a plate and set it aside. Wash and chop the leek, alongside the onion and garlic.

A skillet filled with sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, and leeks. A hand holds a wooden spoon over the pan. Ingredients surround the skillet, including croutons and grated cheese, on a marble countertop. — Then, add in he chopped leek, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and sea salt. Stir everything together for 3-4 minutes before adding in the sliced baby tomatoes and the spinach.

A cozy skillet dish with melted cheese, croutons, chopped greens, and cherry tomatoes. A white pitcher drizzles more cheese sauce into the pan. A wooden bowl with cherry tomatoes is nearby, set on a marble countertop. — Then, add in he chopped leek, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and sea salt. Stir everything together for 3-4 minutes before adding in the sliced baby tomatoes and the spinach.

Then, add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and add in the chopped leek, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and sea salt. Stir everything together for 3-4 minutes, until the onions have softened. While the onion and garlic mixture is cooking, wash and slice the tomatoes and add them to the pan alongside the fresh spinach. Stir everything together, until the spinach begins to wilt.

Finally, add the bread cubes back into the pan and pour the egg mixture on top, stirring until the bread and vegetables are fully coated in the eggs. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese across the top of the strata, then remove the pan from the stovetop and transfer it into the oven.

Bake the strata for 35 minutes, until the eggs are set and the strata has puffed up. Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes. Slice the strata then serve and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this strata ahead of time?

Yes! Simply prepare the strata according to the directions on the recipe card below. Once it’s done, allow it to cool completely, then cover it with foil and transfer it into the fridge or freezer.

Once you’re ready to enjoy the strata, transfer it to the oven at 350 F, with the foil on, for 20-30 minutes, until the strata is heated through and the eggs are fluffy.

Is this strata gluten-free?

No – since this strata is topped with baguette, it is not gluten-free. However, if you want to make it gluten-free, you can swap the traditional baguette for a gluten-free one!

What can I serve alongside this strata?

I love serving this strata alongside some crispy potatoes, a simple salad, or crunchy bacon!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim

Nut Free/Refined Sugar Free