Bacon-Asparagus Strata

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When you're looking for a make-ahead breakfast recipe, you can't beat a strata--a casserole recipe that can usually be made up to 24 hours in advance. Here, fresh vegetables and bacon combine with luscious Swiss cheese for a rich and easy egg breakfast your family will love.

Bacon-Asparagus Strata
Photo: Kritsada Panichgul
Prep Time:
45 mins
Chill Time:
2 hrs
Bake Time:
50 mins
Stand Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
12

Ingredients

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • 8 strips bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and chopped

  • 1 9 ounce package frozen cut asparagus, thawed and well-drained

  • ¾ cup bottled roasted red sweet peppers, drained and chopped

  • 12 slices dry white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 8 cups)

  • 3 cup shredded Swiss cheese (12 ounces)

  • 8 eggs

  • 3 cup milk

  • 1 ½ teaspoon dry mustard or 3 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

  1. Lightly coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. In a medium bowl combine bacon, asparagus, and red peppers.

  2. Place half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the bacon mixture and half of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining bread cubes, bacon mixture, and cheese.

  3. In a large bowl, beat eggs with a rotary beater or whisk. Beat or whisk in milk, mustard, salt, and cayenne pepper. Carefully pour egg mixture evenly over bread mixture in dish. Using the back of a spoon, gently press down on layers to moisten all of the bread. Cover dish with plastic wrap and chill 2 hours.

  4. Preheat oven to 325°F. Bake, uncovered, for 50 to 60 minutes or until puffed, golden, and set. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Pork, Pepper & Mushroom Strata:

Prepare as directed, except replace bacon with 1 pound uncooked bulk pork or Italian sausage and replace asparagus with 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms. Cook sausage and mushrooms in a large skillet until sausage is brown; drain off fat. Stir red peppers into mixture in skillet. Use 3 cups shredded American or cheddar cheese in place of the Swiss cheese.

Make-Ahead Tip

To make ahead, prepare as directed. Cover dish with plastic wrap and chill up to 24 hours. To serve, preheat oven to 325°F. Bake, uncovered, for 50 to 60 minutes.. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

365 Calories
22g Fat
19g Carbs
21g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 365
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 197mg 66%
Sodium 965mg 42%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 26mg 130%
Calcium 292.8mg 23%
Iron 2.2mg 12%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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