Egg and Bacon Strata

By bakers_delight85

This a very versatile casserole. After you make this version with bacon you can start replacing the bacon with a cup of diced ham an a half-cup of sauteed sliced mushrooms. Or you could use Swiss cheese and diced cooked chicken or cooked broccoli and Gruyere cheese, tomatoes and cooked pork sausage, etc.

Ingredients

• 4 cups 1/2-inch cubes hearty white bread or French bread
• 2 cups (about 6 ounces) shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 8 large eggs
• 3/4 cup half and half
• 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 6 thick-cut bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 12 x 9 x 2-inch baking casserole.
In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes, cheese and onion together, then arrange this mixture evenly in the baking casserole. In the same bowl, beat the eggs, half and half, mustard, salt and black pepper to blend. Pour this egg mixture over the bread cubes. Sprinkle the bacon over. Bake until a knife inserted into the center of the strata comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Serve hot.