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How to Make Make-Ahead Cheddar, Bacon, and Tomato Strata - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like waking up to a delicious and hearty breakfast that's ready to go. That's why we love make-ahead recipes like this Cheddar, Bacon, and Tomato Strata. This savory and satisfying dish is perfect for feeding a crowd or simply enjoying a leisurely brunch with your loved ones. With layers of bread, savory cheese, crispy bacon, and juicy tomatoes, this strata is sure to become a new favorite in your breakfast rotation.

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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

Information

  • 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

  • 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.

    • Nutrition

    383 cal.

    • Total Fat: 20g
    • Saturated Fat: 10g
    • Cholesterol: 185mg
    • Sodium: 711mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 30g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 6g
    • Protein: 21g
    • Vitamin C: 6mg
    • Calcium: 396mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 365mg

    Categories

    Breakfast recipes
    Brunch recipes
    Baking recipes
    Cheese recipes
    Bacon recipes