Butternut Squash & Smoked Gouda Strata

Butternut squash and smoked gouda strata baked golden in a glass dish Butternut squash and smoked gouda strata baked golden in a glass dish

Smoky Gouda, Sweet Roasted Squash, Make-Ahead Easy

A make-ahead savory bread pudding layering roasted butternut squash, caramelized onion, and Yancey's Fancy Smoked Gouda, which melts into every pocket of custard-soaked bread for a smoky, rich centerpiece that isn't turkey.

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 60 min
Total Time: 1 1/2 hours
Serves: 10

What You Will Need

  • 8 cups day-old sourdough bread, cubed
  • 3 cups butternut squash, roasted and cubed
  • 10 oz Yancey's Fancy Smoked Gouda, shredded
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 cup yellow onion, caramelized
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for the dish

What To Do

  1. Butter the dish and layer: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter. Spread half of the bread cubes in the dish, then scatter half each of the roasted squash, caramelized onion, and Smoked Gouda over top. Repeat with the remaining bread, squash, onion, and cheese.
  2. Whisk the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, chopped sage, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
  3. Soak the bread: Pour the custard evenly over the bread layers, pressing down gently with a spatula so every cube absorbs some liquid. Cover and refrigerate to let the bread soak through.
  4. Preheat and bake covered: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the dish with foil and bake until just set at the edges.
  5. Uncover and finish baking: Remove the foil and continue baking until the strata is puffed, golden on top, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Rest and serve: Let the strata rest so it sets up and is easier to slice into neat squares.

Pro Tips:

Refrigerate the assembled strata overnight for the best texture; it is also a great vegetarian main for the holiday table.