Easy Breakfast Strata

This is my daughter's favorite egg dish. It has less fat, salt, and calories, but all the taste of the original version. Instructions are easy enough for my beginning cook to make on her own with minimal supervision.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 274 Calories

Ingredients

• 12 eggs
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• cooking spray
• ½ cup thinly sliced green onions
• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
• 1 quart fat free half-and-half
• 6 slices whole grain bread
• 2 cups ham cubes
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded fat-free sharp Cheddar cheese
• 6 slices whole grain bread, cut into cubes

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Prepare a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Put an oven rack in the middle tier of the oven.

Step 2

Beat eggs, half-and-half, and black pepper together in a bowl until smooth.

Step 3

Arrange 6 bread slices into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread about half the ham and half the spinach over the bread. Sprinkle half the green onions and half the Cheddar cheese over the ham and spinach. Spread the bread cubes over the layers and pour 1 cup of the egg mixture over everything. Repeat layering of ham, spinach, green onions, and Cheddar cheese and pour remaining egg mixture over the top.

Step 4

Cover dish with plastic wrap. Put some soup cans atop the plastic wrap to help keep ingredients immersed in liquid; refrigerate at least 15 minutes.

Step 5

Bake in preheated oven until the liquid sets in the middle of the dish, about 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 155 degrees F (68 degrees C). Let the casserole stand for 8 to 10 minutes before serving.