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Baked Milk-Bread Strata with Rice & Pasta

Prep 20 min Cook 40 min Difficulty 3/5

Savory baked strata combining bread, cooked rice and pasta in a simple milk-and-egg custard—easy make-ahead comfort bake.

Why this recipe works

This savory strata layers cubed bread with cooked rice and pasta in a milk-and-egg custard for a comforting, make-ahead bake. It suits home cooks who want to use leftovers or need an easy brunch or dinner casserole.

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Key takeaways

Uses leftover bread, rice and pasta for a hearty bake
Make-ahead friendly—assemble the night before
Simple egg-and-milk custard; customizable add-ins

Recipe guide

This savory strata layers cubed bread with cooked rice and pasta in a milk-and-egg custard for a comforting, make-ahead bake. It suits home cooks who want to use leftovers or need an easy brunch or dinner casserole.

A simple make-ahead strata that uses leftover bread, rice and pasta.

  • Uses leftover bread, rice and pasta for a hearty bake
  • Make-ahead friendly—assemble the night before
  • Simple egg-and-milk custard; customizable add-ins

Ingredients & prep

Ingredients (serves 6–8): 4 large eggs; 2 cups milk; 3 cups cubed day-old bread; 1 cup cooked rice; 1 cup cooked pasta; 2 tbsp butter; salt and pepper to taste. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish with 1 tbsp butter.

Step-by-step baking

Whisk eggs and milk; season. Toss bread, rice and pasta in a bowl. Melt remaining butter and drizzle over the mixture. Pour custard over the bread mixture, press to soak, rest 10–15 minutes. Bake uncovered 35–45 minutes until golden and center is set. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Tips, timing & variations

Make-ahead: assemble, cover and refrigerate up to 12 hours before baking. Texture: use slightly stale bread so it soaks without falling apart. Add-ins: grated cheese, cooked sausage, or wilted greens work well. Salt carefully if using salty mix-ins.

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cup milk
  • 3 cup cubed bread
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 cup cooked pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with 1 tbsp butter.
  2. Whisk eggs and milk together in a bowl until combined; season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Toss cubed bread, cooked rice, and cooked pasta in a large bowl to combine.
  4. Melt remaining 1 tbsp butter and drizzle over the bread mixture, tossing to coat.
  5. Pour egg and milk mixture over the bread, rice, and pasta, pressing down to soak evenly.
  6. Let the mixture sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
  7. Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

FAQs

How long will leftovers keep? Cool completely, cover and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze portions up to 1 month; thaw in fridge before reheating.
Best way to reheat slices? Reheat covered at 325°F (160°C) until warmed through, or microwave individual servings for 1–2 minutes.
Can I change ingredients or add mix-ins? Swap milk for half-and-half for a richer custard, use any cooked grain instead of rice, or add sautéed vegetables and cheese.