Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Strata

Ingredients

• 12 thick slices white bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms (optional)
• 12 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Directions

Toss cubed bread with bacon, cheese, and mushrooms, and pour into a 9×13 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.