Bacon & cheese strata recipe breakfast casserole

May 12, 11:18 AMProvidence Food ExaminerDonna Diegel

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Bacon & Cheese Overnight Breakfast Casserole

BACON - It's the new hot topic with obsessed foodies! Make this overnight strata recipe with maple bacon and Vermont cheddar cheese. Let it soak overnight, and bake it the next morning for an easy brunch item!

Bacon & Cheese Strata Recipe

• 1 large loaf Italian or French bread, cubed
• 12 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 Tablespoon flavored garlic olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups half & half
• 2 cups whole milk
• 12 large eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 Tablespoons spicy grain prepared mustard
• 2 cups Vermont cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3 teaspoons dried or fresh herbs to taste; basil, dill, thyme, etc
• Sprinkle of Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning

How To Make Bacon & Cheese Strata

• Spray a 9" X 13" Pyrex baking dish or casserole pan with vegetable spray, and set aside.
• Cook bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels. Leave 2 Tablespoons bacon fat in the pan, and add the olive oil to it.
• Saute onion and pepper in the fat until crisp tender. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine half & half, milk, eggs, salt, nutmeg, pepper, cumin, mustard and 2 teaspoons of the herbs, and whisk until foamy. An electric mixer works well for this, but it can also be done with a hand whisk. Add the cubed bread to the liquid and stir to coat.
• Place half the bread mixture in the prepared pan. Layer with half the bacon, onions and peppers and cheese. Repeat with the rest of the bread, bacon, onions, peppers and cheese. Make sure to pour all leftover liquid over the top of the casserole. Fold under gently until the strata is mixed well. Sprinkle with the last teaspoon of herbs. Sprinkle with a good dash of Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning.  
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and bake for 65-80 minutes, more or less, or until knife comes out clean. Test the middle of the strata, as this takes the longest to bake.
• Serve with a big salad and Mimosas for brunch!

 photo credit of egg: bizior,sxc