CHEF JEFF -- ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Sausage-Cheese Casserole

Stratas are a favorite for Easter brunch.

Sausage-Cheese Casserole

Cooking spray

12 ounces turkey breakfast sausage

2 cups 1 percent low-fat milk

2 cups egg substitute

1 teaspoon dry mustard

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground pepper

¼ teaspoon cayenne

3 large eggs

16 1-ounce slices bread

1 cup finely shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

¼ teaspoon paprika

Heat nonstick skillet over medium-high. Coat with cooking spray. Add sausage. Cook until browned. Set aside to cool. Combine milk, next 6 ingredients in bowl. Trim crusts from bread. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Add cubes, sausage, cheese to milk mixture, stirring. Pour into 9-by-13-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove strata from refrigerator. Let stand 30 minutes. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Yield: Serves 12.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at GrandForksHerald.com.