Cheesy Bacon Strata

Ingredients
  • 3 bacon slices
  • 1 c. onion slices
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 c. cubed Italian bread (14 ounces)
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 c. (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 3 large tomatoes, each seeded and cut into 4 slices
  • 2 c. AE Fat Free Milk
  • 1/4 c. thinly sliced fresh basil
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 large egg white
Directions

Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and crumble. Add onion to same pan; sauté 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Remove from heat; combine onion mixture and bacon.

Arrange 4 cups bread cubes in bottom of a 13x9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray; top with 2/3 cup cheese, half of onion mixture and 6 tomato slices. Combine milk and remaining ingredients; stir with a whisk. Pour half of milk mixture over tomatoes. Top with 4 cups bread cubes, 2/3 cup cheese, remaining onion mixture, 6 tomato slices and remaining milk mixture. Cover; chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 55 minutes. Sprinkle with 2/3 cup cheese; bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings