Cheesy Bacon Strata
3 bacon slices
1 cup onion slices
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 cups cubed Italian bread (14 ounces)
Cooking spray
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 large tomatoes, each seeded and cut into 4 slices
2 cups Fat Free Milk
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 large eggs
3 large egg whites
Recipe 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 13×9 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 half of milk mixture. Cover; chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 325°.
Bake, uncovered, at 325° 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.