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Cheddar, Bacon, and Tomato Strata

Source of Recipe


Cooking Light






List of Ingredients



• 3 bacon slices
  
• 1 cup chopped onion
  
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
  
• 8 cups cubed Italian bread
  
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, divided into 3 2/3 cup portions
  
• 3 large tomatoes, seeded and cut into 4 1/2 inch-thick slices
  
• 2 cups fat free milk
  
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  
• 3 large eggs
  
• 3 large egg whites
  






Instructions



1. Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat til crisp. Remove bacon from pan, and crumble. Add onion to drippings in pan, saute 4 minutes. Add garlic, and saute 1 minute. Remove from heat, combine onion mixture and bacon.
   
   
2. Arrange 4 cups bread cubes in bottom of a 13x9 inch baking dish, top with 2/3 cup cheese, half of onion mixture and 6 tomato slices. Combine milk and remainimg ingredients, stir well 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 rest of milk mixture. Cover, chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
   
   
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
   
   
4. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 55 minutes. Sprinkle with rest of cheese, bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
   
   






Final Comments


Makes 8 main meal servings.