Recipe: Make-Ahead Breakfast/Brunch Casseroles - 32 recipes (reposts)

Overnight French Toast

1/4 cup butter, room temperature
12 3/4 inch thick French bread slices
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

Spread butter over bottom of heavy large baking pan with 1 inch high sides. Arrange bread slices in pan. Beat eggs, milk, sugar, syrup, vanilla and salt to blend in large bowl. Pour mixture over bread. Turn bread slices to coat. Cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 400F. Bake French bread 10 minutes. Turn bread over and continue baking until just golden, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer cooked toast to plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with favorite syrup.

Makes 6 servings

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Brunch Egg Casserole

7 slices white bread, crust removed
1 pound ground sausage
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 cups half and half or milk

1. Lightly butter each slice of bread.
2. Cut seventh slice of bread in half.
3. Place bread in a 9 x 13-inch buttered glass baking dish.
4. Brown sausage. Drain and pat with paper towels. Sprinkle sausage over bread.
5. Sprinkle cheese over sausage.
6. Beat eggs. Add salt, dry mustard, and half and half or milk. Beat again.
7. Pour egg mixture over bread, sausage and cheese.
8. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. At this point, it may be frozen until ready to use. Remove from freezer and thaw overnight in refrigerator.
9. Remove foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and lightly browned on top. This dish reheats easily.

Note: This casserole is best when it stands 30 minutes after baking.

Serves 16

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STRATA (Farm Breakfast)

** Must be prepared the night before -- makes 12+
servings

1 Lb Bacon (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
1/2 Lb Cooked Ham (1/2 inch diced)
1 Sm Onion (chopped)
10 Slices White Bread (cubed)
2 Cups Cubed Potatoes.(I like the Ore-Ida - O'Brien)
3 Cups Shredded Cheese
10 Lg Eggs
3 Cups Milk
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tsp Dry Mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste

In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp.

Add ham and onion, cook until onion is tender and transparent.

In a non-stick 9 X 13 X 2 inch baking dish, layer 1/2 of the bread cubes, potatoes and cheese.

Top with the bacon, onion and ham mixture.

Repeat with remaining potatoes and cheese.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper.

Pour this mixture evenly over the ingredients in the baking dish.

Cover and chill overnight in the refrigerator. THE NEXT MORNING:

Remove dish from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature 30 minutes before baking.

Meanwhile: Pre-heat oven to 325

Bake uncovered at 325 for 1 hour or when a knife is inserted near the center comes out clean.

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SCRAMBLE EGG CASSEROLE

1/2 cup butter or margarine, divided
2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon peter
2 cups milk
1 cup (4 oz) shredded American cheese
1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
1/4 cup sliced green onions
12 eggs, beated
1 can (4 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
Additional sliced green onions, optional

In a medium saucepan, melt 2 Tablespoons butter. Add flour, salt and pepper; cook and stir until mixture begins to bubble. Gradually stir in milk; cook until thickened and bubbley, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Add cheese; mix well and set aside. In a large skillet, saute ham and onions in 3 Tablespoon butter until onions are tender. Add eggs; cook and stir until they begin to set. Add the mushrooms and cheese sauce; mix well. Pour in a 7x11 1/2-in. dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top of casserole. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Sprinkle with onions if desired.

Yield: 6-8 servings.

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BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

8 slices cubed white bread, crusts trimmed off
1/2 c. butter or margarine
6 eggs
2 c. milk
1 c. grated cheddar or jack cheese
options: 1 c. of any of these:
crumbled bacon, diced
ham, crumbled
cooked sausage
flaked crab meat

Melt butter in oblong baking dish. Place cubed bread to cover bottom of dish. Spread cheese over the bread layer. Spread any optional ingredient over cheese layer. Beat eggs with milk. Pour over the layers already in the casserole. Cover with foil and refrigerate over night. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake covered for 20 minutes; remove cover and continue to bake for 10-15 minutes or until brown and puffy. Serve immediately. Serves 6-8 generously.

Note: I have used seasoned croutons in place of the bread cubes with much success.

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Breakfast Lasagna
by Tracey, 5/14/97

1 bag frozen hash browns
1 and 1/2 lb Canadian Back Bacon, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 to 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
4 to 5 eggs
1 cup milk
1 and 1/2 to 2 cups sharp cheese, grated
salt and pepper
seasonings

Layer frozen hash browns in a 9x11 inch lasagna pan; season very well with salt and pepper. Layer green pepper, yellow pepper and onion over hash browns; layer mushroom slices on top. Cook back bacon until crispy; place over mushroom layer. Beat eggs and milk; add salt. Pour egg mixture over bacon; spread grated cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 30 to 40 minutes.

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SCRAMBLE EGG CASSEROLE
1/2 cup butter or margarine, divided
2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon peter
2 cups milk
1 cup (4 oz) shredded American cheese
1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
1/4 cup sliced green onions
12 eggs, beated
1 can (4 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
Additional sliced green onions, optional

In a medium saucepan, melt 2 Tablespoons butter. Add flour, salt and pepper; cook and stir until mixture begins to bubble. Gradually stir in milk; cook until thickened and bubbley, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Add cheese; mix well and set aside. In a large skillet, saute ham and onions in 3 Tablespoon butter until onions are tender. Add eggs; cook and stir until they begin to set. Add the mushrooms and cheese sauce; mix well. Pour in a 7x11 1/2-in. dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top of casserole. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Sprinkle with onions if desired.

Yield: 6-8 servings.

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MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFAST EGGS

12 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon butter, plus more to prepare baking dish
1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream
12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
4 ounces (1 cup) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

The night before, beat eggs in a medium bowl. Stir in milk, salt and pepper. Set aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Pour in egg mixture; cook, stirring occasionally, until eggs are set but still moist. Remove from heat; let cool. Stir in sour cream.

Spread mixture evenly in buttered 12-by-7-inch baking dish. Top with bacon and cheese. Cover with aluminum foil; refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, preheat oven to 300 degrees. Uncover eggs; bake 15 to 20 minutes or until eggs are hot and cheese has melted.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings.

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Easy Breakfast Bake
Best Of The Best From Tennessee - Kiss My Grits
Quail Ridge

1/2 pound pork sausage
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups water
3/4 cup quick grits
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup milk
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese -- grated
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 325 . Brown and crumble sausage. Drain off excess fat and set aside. Bring salted water to a boil and stir in grits. Cover and reduce heat to low. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Melt butter or margarine and stir in flour, black pepper and milk. Cook, stirring to thicken. Add cheese, stirring until blended. Add sausage and 1/2 cheese sauce to cooked grits. Pour into lightly greased casserole. Make 4 indentions into grits mixture with the back of a large spoon. Break one egg into each indention. Bake at 325 for 13 to 18 minutes, depending on desired doneness of eggs. Serve with remaining heated sauce.

Serves 4.

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Breakfast Casserole
Recipe from Debbie's Recipe Box

24 oz hash browns
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup yellow cheese
1/2 cup white cheese
1 cup diced ham
1/2 cup cream
2 eggs
salt and pepper to taste

Grease a 9x13 pan. Thaw and press out moisture of potatoes. Pour butter over hash browns and brush. Whip up eggs and cream, and pour over the top of potatoes. Add remaining cheese and ham. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

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COUNTRY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

You can mix up this egg/sausage/hash brown casserole and chill it overnight. Bake it on Christmas morning to serve with fruit and sweet rolls, if you like. The breakfast dish comes from the Knollwood House bed and breakfast in River Falls, Wisconsin.

1/2 ounces spicy or mild bulk pork sausage
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
4 cups frozen diced hash brown potatoes, thawed (about half of a 32-ounce package)
1 1/2 cups shredded Colby/Monterey Jack cheese (6 ounces)
3 beaten eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Salsa

1. In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion till no pink remains. Drain.

2. In an 8x8x2-inch (2-quart square) baking dish, layer potatoes, half of the cheese, sausage-onion mixture and remaining cheese.

3. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk and pepper; pour over
cheese. (Casserole may be covered and chilled overnight.)

4. Bake, covered, in a 350 oven for 50 to 55 minutes or till a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack. Let stand for 10 minutes.

5. Cut into squares. Pass the salsa.

Makes 6 servings.

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This recipe is very close to french toast,
but doesn't have the crusty consistency of
the grilled variety.

1 Cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 Cup butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup.

12 slices of bread
1 1/2 Cup milk
6 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a small saucepan combine butter syrup and sugar. Stirring, bring to a boil. Pour into 9x13 baking dish and cool.

Place bread slices over sugar mixture (2 deep).

Combine milk, eggs vanilla and salt. Mix well. Pour over bread. Refrigerate overnight.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Invert individual servings to serve.

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Scrambled egg casserole

1/2 cup butter or margarine, divided
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded process American cheese
1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
1/4 cup sliced green onions
12 eggs, beaten
1 can(4 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
Additional sliced green onions, optional

In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add flour, salt and pepper; cook and stir until mixture begins to bubble. Gradually stir in milk; cook until thickened and bubble, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Add cheese; mix well and set aside. In a large skillet, saute ham and onions in 3 tablespoons butter until onions are tender. Add eggs; cook and stir until they begin to set. Add the mushrooms and cheese sauce; mix well. Pour into a dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top of casserole. cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Sprinkle with onions if desired.

Yield: 6-8 servings.

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BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST

12 slices day-old white bread, crusts removed
2 packages (8 ounches each) cream cheese
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
12 eggs
2 cups milk
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey

SAUCE:
1/2 cup sugar
1-2 TBS cornstarch
1/2 cup water
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 TBS butter or margarine

Cut bread into 1-in cubes (I just tear the bread); place
half in a greased 13-in x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Cut cream cheese into 1-in. cubes; place over bread. Top with blueberries and remaining bread. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk and syrup; mix well. Pour over bread mixture. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 25-30 minutes more or until golden brown and the center is set.

In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; add water. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in blueberries; reduce heat. Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until berries have burst. Stir in butter until melted. Serve over French toast.

Yields 6-8 servings

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Blueberry French Toast Casserole

1 small day old loaf French bread
3 eggs
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
6 tbsp dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup sliced strawberrie or peaches

Grease 13x9 dish. Diagonally cut bread in 1"slices(slice "long" diagonal pieces) Place in dish - set aside.

In medium bowl, slightly beat eggs, sugar & vanilla. Stir in milk until blended. Pour over bread. Turn slices to make sure it is well coated & refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 375F. In small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter. Scater blueberries over bread and sprinkle with crumb mixture. Bake 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cut in squares and serve with strawberries or peaches.

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This is delicious and a great dish for a brunch. Enjoy!

Breakfast Casserole

3 slices bread
6 slices Canadian bacon
4 ounces chopped green chilies
1/2 cup low fat cheddar cheese -- shredded
1/4 cup green onion -- finely chopped
8 ounces frozen egg substitute -- or 4 eggs
1/2 cup evaporated skim milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Trim crusts from bread; cut 1 slice in half to make bread fit into dish. Spray inside of 9" square baking dish. Place bread in dish, layer with bacon, peppers, cheese and green onions. Beat together egg substitute, milk, salt and red pepper. Pour into baking dish and bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes at 375 degrees F.

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Brunch Casserole

1 lb Hot bulk pork sausage
3 c Frozen hash browns, thawed
1/2 tsp Salt
3 c Shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c Chopped green pepper
12 Eggs, beaten
2 c Milk

Cook sausage in skillet until browned, crumble and drain. Place hash browns in a lightly greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish, sprinkle with salt. Layer sausage, cheese and green pepper. Combine eggs and milk, stirring well; pour over green pepper. Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 min.

Yield: 8-10 servings. Enjoy and Good Morning.

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Bacon and Egg Casserole
Yield: 10 servings

10 ea Slices bacon
2 c Unseasoned croutons
2 c Onion/garlic croutons
1/4 c Margarine, melted
2 c Cheddar cheese, grated
2 c Milk
6 ea Eggs
1 T Prepared mustard

Cook bacon crisply and crumble Coat a 9x12x2 cassrole dish with vegetable spray. Place croutons in casserole and pour margarine over them. Sprinkle grated cheese over all. Mix milk, eggs and mustard and pour over cheese. Sprinkle bacon crumbs over all. Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes. Allow casserole to stand for 15 minutes.

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Green Chili Cheese Strata

12 slices white bread,crusts removed
2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
4 eggs
1 tbs dried minced onion
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp cayenne
2 small cans diced green chilles
2 1/2 cups milk

Grease 12 x 8 " baking dish. Arrange 6 slices bread on bottom. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with remaining bread slices. Beat eggs onion salt and cayenne together. Blend in green chilles and milk. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread. Cover dish and refrigerate overnight (or at least 2 hours). Bake in preheated oven at 325 degreesF uncovered 45 to 55 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

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Stuffed French Toast (low-fat)
Recipe By : Cooking Light, Jan/Feb 1993

4 diagonally cut slices French bread -- (1-ounce) (1
inch thick)
3 tablespoons finely chopped dried apricots -- divided
1/2 cup nonfat ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (1/2ounce)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup apricot nectar
1/2 cup sliced ripe banana -- (1 small)
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup frozen egg substitute -- thawed
Vegetable cooking spray

Cut a slit through top of each slice of bread to form a pocket. Setaside.Combine 1 tablespoon dried apricots, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl; stir well. Stuff 2 tablespoons cheesemixture into pocket of each slice of bread; set aside.Combine remaining 2 tablespoons apricots and apricot nectar in a smallsaucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in banana. Set aside, and keep warm. Combine milk and egg substitute in a large shallow dish; stir well. Place stuffed bread in dish, turning to coat. Let stand until milk mixture is absorbed.Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and place over mediumheat until hot. Gently add bread to skillet, and cook 2 minutes. Carefully turn bread over, and cook 2 minutes or until browned. Yield: 2 servings (serving size: 2 stuffed bread slices and 1/2cup sauce)

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Breakfast Casseroles

16 slices white bread -- crusts removed
8 ham slices
1/2 lb. cheddar cheese -- sliced
6 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 c. minced onion
1/4 c. finely chopped green pepper
2 tsp. worcestershire
3 c. whole milk
1 dash tobasco
1/4 lb. butter
1 c. special K or crushed cornflakes

Butter a 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Cover bottom with 8 pieces of bread. Add pieces to cover dish entirely. Cover with layers of ham and cheese. Then cover with bread. Beat eggs and seasonings, add milk, onion and green pepper. Pour over bread. Cover and put into fridge overnight. In morning, melt 1/4 lb. butter and pour over top. Sprinkle with cereal. Bake in a preheated oven 350 deg. uncovered 1 hr. Let sit 10 min. before serving. Serve with fresh fruit and muffins, cinnamon buns or croisants.

Options: Add mushrooms, more cheese on top, or the addition of canned green chiles, and maybe some tomatoes, and
or sausages.

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Cheesy Eggs and Bacon casserole

1/2 c. bacon
6 eggs
6 slices bread
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 c. milk
1 c. grated cheddar
1 c. grated mozzarella

In a greased 9 x 13 pan, tear up bread and lay on the bottom of the pan. Fry bacon and crumble over bread. Beat eggs, milk, salt, mustard and pour over bread. Spread cheese over top and set in refrigerator overnight or several hours. Cook one hour in a preheated 350 deg. oven.

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Egg Casserole

Grease 13x9" pan.
1st layer - 8 slices cubed white bread
2nd layer - 8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
3rd layer - 1 lb. browned sausage, drained
4th layer - 4 eggs beaten with 2 1/2 c. milk.
Pour last layer over other layers and soak overnight.
Next morning, Mix one (1) can Cream of Mushroom Soup and 1/2 can (2/3 cup) evaporated milk. Pour over top of casserole.
Bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

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Breakfast Stuff

Polish sausage (Kielbasa), cut up
White onions, chopped
Green bell peppers, chopped
Cajun seasoning
Oregano
Water

Brown the sausage lightly without oil, add onions. Toss in potatoes and stir around for a few minutes. Add Cajun seasoning and oregano until it tastes right to you. (I like mine really hot.) Add enough water to cover about HALF of the potatoes. Cover and let steam until potatoes are tender. Toss in bell peppers and cook for another 3 minutes or so. (Do this last so the peppers will stay green and crunchy.) Done.

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Hearty Breakfast Casserole
Yield: 4 -5 servings

1 lb. russet variety potatoes
salt & pepper to taste
8 oz bulk sausage, cooked & crumbled (or 6 oz finely
diced lean ham,
or 6 oz turkey
bacon, cooked & crumbled)
1/3 cup julienne sliced roasted red pepper
3 eggs
1 cup milk (lo fat OK)
3 tbsp ch chives or green onion tops (or3/4 tsp dried
thyme or oregano
leaves)
optional: salsa & lowfat yogurt

Heat oven to 375 . Butter an 8 - 9" square baking dish (for each 5 servings). Peel the potatoes & slice very thin. arrange 1/2 in the baking dish. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Cover with 1/2 the sausage or ham. Arrange the reamining potatotes on top; sprinkle with salt & pepper. Top with remaining sausage & red peppers. Beat eggs, milk & chives until blended. Pour over potatoes. Cover baking dish (es) with tin foil and bake for 35 - 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Uncover & bake 5 -10 minutes more. Serve with salsa of choice & sour cream, if desired.

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HASH BROWN BAKE

3 cups frozen shredded potatoes
1/3 c. margarine, melted
1 c. finely chopped cooked ham
1 c. (4 oz.) shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 c. finely chopped green bell pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Thaw potatoes between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture. Press potatoes into bottom and up sides of an ungreased 9" pieplate; drizzle with butter. Bake at 425 for 25 minutes or until lightly browned; cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Combine ham, cheese, and bell pepper; spoon into potato shell. Combine eggs and next 3 ingredients, stirring well; pour egg mixture over ham mixture. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until set; let stand 10 minutes before serving. **This may be assembled, omitting egg mixture, and refrigerated 8 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper; pour over ham mixture. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.

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QUICHE

1 small onion, chopped
1 c. mayonnaise
4 TBSP. plain flour
1 c. milk

BEAT together above ingredients. (optional - 4 oz. sliced mushrooms)
PREPARE 2 - 9" pie crusts.
SPRINKLE bottom of crust with pre-cooked meat of your choice. (sausage, ham, bacon, etc)
MIX 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese into quiche mix.
POUR into 2 pie crusts.
BAKE about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

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Apple French Toast Strata

8 large slices french bread, cubed
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cut into cubes
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and sliced
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
powdered sugar
sliced almonds
syrup

Place half of bread cubes in a greased 11 x 7 baking dish. Cover with all of the cream cheese cubes, distributing evenly. Sprinkle with apple slices. Top with remaining bread cubes and almonds. Beat together eggs, milk and cinnamon until well blended. Pour over bread mixture in dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake in pre-heated 375-degree oven about 35 minutes or until set. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup.

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Source: Conifer Ridge Farm, Clearville, Pennsylvania

Asparagus Cheese Strata

This layered asparagus, cheese, and ham bake is a good choice to serve buffet-style because you can assemble it completely the day before, then cover and refrigerate it overnight. It cuts so easily, you can serve it in nice neat squares.

1 pound fresh asparagus or 2 packages (9 oz. each)
frozen asparagus
pieces
Boiling, salted water
6 slices whole wheat bread
Butter or margarine
2-1/4 cups (9 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup coarsely chopped cooked ham
5 eggs
2 tablespoons instant minced onion
3/4 teaspoon each dry mustard and Worcestershire
1/4 teaspoon each salt and garlic powder
Dash of cayenne
1-3/4 cups milk

Remove tough ends from fresh asparagus and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces. Drop into boiling salted water to cover; cook rapidly just until tender (about 4 minutes). Lift from pan with slotted spoon, drain, and set aside. (If using frozen asparagus, cook as directed on package; drain and set aside.)

Trim crusts from bread. Butter slices lightly and fit into a lightly buttered 7 by 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1-1/2 cups of the cheese over bread slices. Top with ham and asparagus pieces in even layers.

In a bowl, stir together eggs, onion, mustard, Worchestershire, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne. Add milk and beat together until mixture is well blended. Pour evenly over layered ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight

Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes; then top with the remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until center of strata appears firm when dish is gently shaken. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into squares.

Serves 6 to 8

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Asparagus Strata
Source: Mrs. Harold T. Cook
Yield: 4 servings

1 can Asparagus, pieces or spears
4 American cheese slices
8 Bread slices, thin
4 Eggs
4 c Milk
1/2 ts Salt
1/2 ts Dry mustard
1/2 ts Pepper

Place 4 slices of bread, with crusts removed, into greased 8" X 8" X 2" pan. Put slice of cheese on each piece of bread, then place asparagus evenly on top of cheese. Top each with another slice of bread. Mix egg, milk, salt, pepper, and mustard and pour over bread. Let refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle top with additional grated cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until custard is set (knife comes out clean when inserted). As a variation, use ham slices instead of asparagus and top with corn flakes and 4T melted butter.

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Basic Breakfast Strata (light version)
Source: Cooking Light

If you have trouble distinguishing your original make-ahead strata from this light version, you're not alone -- so did our taste-testing staff.

* Vegetable cooking spray
* 3/4 pound lean ground pork
* 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup skim milk
* 2 (8-ounce) cartons frozen egg substitute, thawed
* 1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded Cheddar cheese
* 3 green onions, chopped
* 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
* 6 (1-ounce) slices white bread cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* Cherry tomatoes (optional)
* Green onion tops (optional)

Coat a skillet with cooking spray; place over medium heat until hot. Add next 4 ingredients; cook until meat is browned, stirring to crumble meat. Drain in a colander; pat dry with paper towels, and set aside.

Combine milk and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well. Add pork mixture and bread, stirring just until well blended. Pour into an 11- x 7- x 2-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and chill 8 to 12 hours.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Garnish with tomatoes and onion tops, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 [3 3/4- x 3 1/2-inch]
piece).

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Basic Breakfast Strata
Source: (Resende)

This has been our Christmas morning breakfast for years, because I can just throw it in the oven and resume watching the children play with their toys. It originally came from Cooking Light magazine a zillion years ago.

I use the larger amount of sausage, double the garlic, and use the sharpest cheddar cheese I can find. But then my whole family tends to like spicy foods, so that might not be to everyone's taste.

1/2 - 3/4 pound hot sausage
1 cup skim milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, chopped
8 eggs (or equivalent Egg Beaters)
1/4 c. (1 ounce) shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
6 (1-ounce) slices white bread, cut into 1/2" cubes

Brown sausage; blot with paper towels. Combine milk and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well. Add sausage and bread, stirring just until well blended. Pour into an 11x7x2-inch baking dish coated with Pam. Cover and chill 8 to 12 hours.