Cheddar Cheese Strata 

1 pound ground sausage OR 1 cup faux sausage 
8 eggs 
3 cups of whole milk 
2 Tablespoons flour 
2 Tablespoons butter, melted 
1 teaspoon dry mustard 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 
1/4 teaspoon black pepper 
1 8-ounce package mushrooms, sliced 
1 8-ounce package frozen asparagus spears, sliced into 1-inch pieces 
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated 
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated 
8 cups sourdough or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes 

Meat: Cook sausage, drain and set aside to cool. 

OR 

1. Vegetarian: Cut sausage into small pieces and set aside. 

In large bowl, whisk together: eggs, milk, flour, butter, mustard, salt, thyme and pepper. Stir in sausage, mushrooms, asparagus, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese and bread. Pour ingredients into an ungreased 9 x 13 pan (preferably glass). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The following morning, preheat oven to 350°. Bake strata in middle of oven for one hour. 

Serves 8

Below are some alternative strata suggestions.

Be creative, combine ingredients that are in the fridge, or are at the peak of the produce season. White cheddar, garlic and sun dried tomatoes Spinach, red pepper and feta cheese Bacon, Swiss and onion