Cheesy Breakfast Strata with Bacon and Mushrooms

1.Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2.Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.

3.Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

4.Sprinkle half of the shredded Cheddar cheese over the bread cubes.

5.Evenly distribute the chopped mushrooms and crumbled bacon over the cheese layer.

6.Top with the remaining bread cubes and then sprinkle the rest of the Cheddar cheese on top.

7.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

8.Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered bread, cheese, mushrooms, and bacon in the baking dish.

9.Gently press down on the bread cubes to ensure they are fully submerged in the egg mixture.

10.Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the egg mixture. For best results, refrigerate overnight.

11.Bake the strata in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.

12.Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.