Country Breakfast Strata

INGREDIENTS


* 8 ounces turkey or chicken breakfast sausage, uncooked
* 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 medium onion, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
* 1/2 loaf egg or country bread (preferably 1 to 2 days old), cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
* 2 1/2 cups whole milk
* 8 eggs
* 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 2 tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
* 12 ounces Fontina or Swiss cheese, grated (4 cups)


Butter the bottom and sides of a 9" x 13" or 8" x 12" baking dish.

In a large skillet over medium heat, break up sausage and sauté with olive oil and onion until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Meanwhile, if using fresh bread, lightly toast and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk milk, eggs, salt, and pepper, and set aside.

Lay half of bread in buttered baking dish, sprinkle with half of sausage mixture, half of tomato slices, and half of cheese. Repeat layering with remaining bread, sausage, tomato, and cheese. Slowly pour egg mixture over top. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°. Uncover and place baking dish on a baking sheet to catch overflow. Bake 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to sit 10 minutes before serving.