Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

This healthy update of a traditionally rich ham-and-cheese breakfast strata is made lighter primarily by losing a few egg yolks and using nonfat milk. Gruyère cheese has a delicious, nutty aroma and flavor, which means that with the relatively small amount in this recipe you still get a big impact. To finish the makeover use nutritious, fiber-rich, whole-grain bread instead of white. The results: plenty of flavor, half the calories and one-third the fat of the original.

Ingreadient

  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 cup nonfat milk
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 5 cups chopped spinach, wilted (see tip)
  • 4 cups whole-grain bread, crusts removed if desired, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 1/2 pound, 4-6 slices)
  • 1 cup diced ham steak, (5 ounces)
  • ½ cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
  • 3/4 cup shredded gruyère, or swiss cheese