Name: Make-Ahead Cheddar, Bacon, and Tomato Strata
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 570 min
Ingredients: 3 slices bacon; 1 cup vertically sliced onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2.25 cups milk; 6 large eggs; 0.25 cup thinly sliced fresh basil; 0.75 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme; 0.25 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper; cooking spray; 8 cups cubed Italian bread, divided; 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided; 12 (1/2 inch thick) slices tomato, seeds removed

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

1 hr 5 mins

Additional Time:

8 hrs 5 mins

Total Time:

9 hrs 30 mins

Servings:

8

Yield:

1 9x13-inch strata

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

3 slices bacon
1 cup vertically sliced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 ¼ cups milk
6 large eggs
¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
¾ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
cooking spray
8 cups cubed Italian bread, divided
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
12 (1/2 inch thick) slices tomato, seeds removed

Directions

Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in the skillet. Crumble when cool enough to handle.
Add onion to drippings in the skillet; saute for 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Remove from heat; combine onion mixture and bacon.
Whisk milk, eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper together in a bowl until well combined.
Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and arrange 1/2 of the bread cubes in the bottom.
Top bread cubes with 2/3 cup Cheddar cheese, 1/2 of the onion mixture, and 6 tomato slices. Pour 1/2 of the milk mixture over tomatoes. Top with remaining bread cubes and 2/3 cup Cheddar. Top with remaining onion mixture, tomato slices, and milk mixture. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Bake strata in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 55 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese and bake until cheese melts, an additional 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Cook's Notes:

You can use 1 cup bacon bits in place of 3 cooked bacon slices.

If you don't have fresh basil and thyme, use 2 tablespoons dried basil and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

383	Calories
20g	Fat
30g	Carbs
21g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 383
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g	25%
Saturated Fat 10g	51%
Cholesterol 185mg	62%
Sodium 711mg	31%
Total Carbohydrate 30g	11%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 6mg	31%
Calcium 396mg	30%
Iron 3mg	14%
Potassium 365mg	8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.