Cheddar Cheese Strata Food

CHEDDAR CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Remove crusts from bread. Put 1/2 of bread in a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish that has been sprayed with Pam. sprinkle with 1-1/4 cups cheese. Top with remaining bread.
• Whisk the eggs and egg whites together. Add the milk, onion, dry mustard and salt; whisk again to combine. Gently pour over contents of baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and a sprinkle of paprika for color. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes or until golden. Let stand 5 minutes and serve.

BROCCOLI AND CHEDDAR STRATA

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Whisk the half-and-half, Parmesan, eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl.
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and simmer until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes; drain.
• Layer half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the Cheddar, followed by the broccoli. Cover with the remaining bread cubes and pour the half-and-half mixture evenly over top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (This can also be assembled the day of; just let soak at room temperature 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking.)
• On the day of baking, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Let the strata sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Remove the plastic and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar. Bake until slightly puffed and just no longer jiggly in the center, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

TOMATO-CHEDDAR STRATA

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Whisk together the half-and-half, Parmesan, eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Layer half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the Cheddar, followed by the sun-dried tomatoes and scallions. Cover with the remaining bread cubes and pour the egg mixture evenly over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (This can also be assembled the day of; just let soak at room temperature 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking.)
• On the day of baking, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Let the strata sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Remove the plastic and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar. Bake until slightly puffed and just no longer jiggly in the center, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

APPLE AND CHEDDAR STRATA

Steps:

• Place 6 of the bread slices in 13x9-inch baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with layers of half each of the sausage, apples and process cheese. Repeat layers.
• Beat eggs, milk and seasonings with wire whisk until well blended. Pour over process cheese slices. Gently press remaining 6 bread slices into liquid to completely cover bread slices; cover. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake 50 min. to 1 hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 min. before cutting to serve.

CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Arrange half the bread in a buttered 2 1/2 quart baking dish or 8x8 pan.
• Drizzle half the melted butter over the bread.
• If adding veggies or meat layer those on next.
• Cover with the shredded cheese.
• Top with remaining bread and drizzle remaining butter over.
• In a small bowl, beat the milk, eggs and seasonings.
• Pour over the bread.
• Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes.
• Can be refrigerated unbaked up to 1 day.

CHEDDAR-TURKEY STRATA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Layer 3 cups bread cubes, 1 cup cheese, turkey, peppers and onions in 11x7-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining bread cubes.
• Whisk eggs, milk, dressing and mustard until blended; pour over bread. Top with remaining cheese; cover. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• Bake strata, uncovered, 45 min. or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 min. before serving.

SPINACH AND CHEDDAR STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add spinach and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a colander and drain, pressing with a rubber spatula to release as much liquid as possible. Divide bread and spinach among 4 small, shallow 8-ounce baking dishes.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and 3/4 cup cheese. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Divide mixture evenly among baking dishes and top with 1/2 cup cheese. Set dishes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until set in middle and golden brown on top, 20 to 25 minutes.

BACON, EGG, AND CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Toss cubed bread with bacon, cheese, and mushrooms, and pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, and mustard until smooth, then pour evenly over cubed bread. Cover dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Remove plastic wrap from the baking dish, and bake strata in preheated oven until the top is golden brown, and the eggs are set, about 1 hour. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

CHEDDAR CHEESE AND RED BELL PEPPER STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper to skillet and sauté until just tender, about 4 minutes. Mix in green onions; sauté 1 minute longer. Remove from heat.
• Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons butter thinly on bread. Cut bread into 1/2-inch pieces. Layer half of bread in 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Cover with half of cheese, then half of bell pepper mixture. Repeat layering with bread, cheese and bell pepper mixture. Beat milk, eggs, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, salt and pepper in medium bowl to blend. Pour over strata.
• Bake strata until lightly browned on top and set in center, about 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes; cut into squares.

BELL PEPPER, ONION AND CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Butter an 8 x 8-inch square baking dish.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet.
• Add in bell pepper and saute until JUST tender (about 3-4 minutes).
• Mix in green onions and saute for about 1 minute longer.
• Spread softened butter thinly on bread slices.
• Cut bread into 1-inch pieces, then layer half of the bread pieces in the bottom of prepared baking dish.
• Cover with half of the cheddar cheese, then half of the bell pepper/onion mixture.
• Repeat layering with bread, cheese and bell pepper mixture.
• In a medium bowl whisk together milk with eggs, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, salt and pepper until well blended, then pour over the mixture in the baking dish.
• Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the center is set and the top is browned.
• Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese the last 10 minutes of baking.
• Delicious!