Golden Baked Monte Cristo Casserole

Monte Cristo Strata Recipe

Description:
Indulge in the versatile delight of Monte Cristo Strata—a savory casserole perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! This dish boasts layers of buttery goodness, melded with ham, mushrooms, and gruyere cheese, all nestled between slices of bread and baked to golden perfection. Prepare it ahead of time for effortless mealtime magic!

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Servings: 10
• Calories per Serving: 455.5

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 12 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 18-20 slices of ham
• 10 eggs
• 10 oz gruyere cheese, shredded
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 3/4 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté Mushrooms: Melt butter in a heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until golden brown, approximately 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Prepare Baking Dish: Generously butter a 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Line the bottom with half of the bread slices, cutting them to fit if necessary.

3. Layer Ingredients: Top the bread slices with the ham, followed by 2 cups of shredded gruyere cheese. Spread the sautéed mushrooms evenly over the cheese layer. Add enough of the remaining bread slices in a single layer to cover the mushrooms.

4. Prepare Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme, dried thyme, dry mustard, salt, and pepper until well blended.

5. Pour Egg Mixture: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered bread and ingredients in the baking dish, ensuring that all bread is soaked. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld.

6. Preheat Oven: Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).

7. Bake Strata: Uncover the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven until the strata is puffed and golden brown, approximately 1 hour.

8. Cheese Topping: Mix the remaining cup of shredded gruyere cheese and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme together. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the baked strata and return it to the oven.

9. Melt Cheese: Bake for an additional 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

10. Rest and Serve: Allow the Monte Cristo Strata to sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle. Serve warm and enjoy the delightful layers of flavors!

Tips:

• Customize this versatile dish by adding your favorite ingredients such as spinach, bell peppers, or caramelized onions.
• Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave for a quick and delicious meal the next day.
• Serve with a side of fresh fruit or a crisp green salad for a well-balanced meal.
• Prepare this strata the night before for easy entertaining or a stress-free family brunch.