Spinach and Bacon Strata

Got a similar recipe from Giada De Laurentiis's show and made it for Easter morning. It was a hit! We dubbed it "Giada Strata" and plan to keep it as a regular holiday meal. I've made a few tweaks of my own to the recipe based on my family's taste and what I had available. This is really good and great when you have company.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  lb bacon, chopped
• 1  onion, chopped
• 8  ounces  fresh  baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  teaspoon seasoning salt (I use Paula Dean's house seasoning)
• 1  lb  Italian bread (cubed)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 3  cups  whole milk
• 10  large eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Saute chopped bacon in large skillet until crisp. Using slotted spoon, remove bacon from skillet to paper towel-lined plate to drain.
2. Reserve small amount of bacon drippings in skillet. Add onion to skillet and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and spinach and saute 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt and reserved bacon.
3. Place half bread cubes in a buttered 9x13" baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the bread, top with half of the spinach mixture. Repeat layering.
4. Whisk milk, eggs, and remaining 1/2 teaspoons of seasoning salt in a large bowl and pour evenly over the strata. Gently push surface of bread down into milk to coat. Chill strata, covered with plastic wrap, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
5. Bake strata uncovered until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, about 45 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.