Taste of Home Healthy Cooking - Most Egg-cellent Breakfast Strata

Most Egg-Cellent Breakfast Strata
From the Aug/Sept 2009 issue

3 cups low-fat, herb-seasoned croutons
8 oz Italian turkey sausage links
1 cup diced zucchini
1/2 cup minced onions
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1 cup packed shredded light sharp cheddar cheese
8 eggs
1 cup evaporated 2% milk
1/4 tsp each salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Spray an 11x7 (a 9x13 works too) casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread croutons evenly in botton of dish. Set aside.

2. Spray a medium, non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Remove and discard casing from sausage. Break or cut sausage into small pieces and add to skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until no longer pink, breaking up any large pieces. Add zucchini, onions and red pepper. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir for about 3 more minutes, until vegetables begin to soften.

3. To assemble strata, spoon sausage mixture evenly over croutons. Top with shredded cheese. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt & pepper in a medium bowl. Pour egg mixture evenly over sausage and vegetables. Let strata stand for 15 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

4. Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 min, until eggs are completely set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

MAKE-AHEAD TIP: Assemble strata as directed, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Uncover and bake chilled strata at 350 degrees for 40 min. Try chopped asparagus as a tasty substitution for the zucchini.