Overnight Veggie Breakfast Casserole

Steps

Kid helper. A child can do steps 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9: no knife, no heat. Steps marked “Grown-up” use a knife or heat. Cooking with kids

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, bell pepper and onion.
   Grown-up: heat
2. Cook, stirring now and then, until the mushrooms have given off their liquid and it has cooked away.
   ⏱ Cook vegetables: 8 minGrown-up: heat
3. Add the spinach and stir until it wilts. Take the pan off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
   ⏱ Wilt spinach: 1 minGrown-up: heat
4. Butter (how to grease and flour a pan)

   Grease and flour a pan Coat a pan with fat (and sometimes flour) so baked goods release cleanly. 1. Rub a thin layer of soft butter or shortening into every corner with a paper towel, or use baking spray.2. For cakes, add a spoonful of flour, tilt and tap the pan until it is coated.3. Turn the pan over and tap out the extra flour.4. For chocolate cakes, use cocoa instead of flour so there is no white film. Done when: Every surface, corners included, is lightly coated with no bare spots or thick clumps. How to grease and flour a baking pan: mistakes to avoid

   a 9x13 baking dish.
   Kid step
5. Spread half the bread cubes in the dish. Top with half the vegetables and half of the cheese.
   Kid step
6. Add the rest of the bread, then the rest of the vegetables. Keep the last of the cheese for the top.
   Kid step
7. Whisk (how to whisk)

   Whisk Beat ingredients with a whisk to mix them smoothly or to add air. 1. Use a bowl big enough to whisk without splashing; set it on a damp towel to stop it spinning.2. Hold the whisk loosely and move it in quick circles or side to side, touching the bottom.3. For lumpy mixtures, add liquid a little at a time and whisk after each.4. For sauces on the stove, keep the whisk moving across the whole bottom of the pan. Done when: The mixture is even with no lumps or streaks of egg. How to whisk: mistakes to avoid

   the eggs in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in the milk, salt, pepper and thyme.
   Kid step
8. Pour the custard evenly over the bread, then press the bread down with a spatula so every cube gets wet. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
   Kid step
9. Cover and refrigerate overnight (at least 4 hours) so the bread soaks up the custard.
   Kid step
10. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and set the casserole on the counter while it heats.
    350°FGrown-up: heat
11. Bake uncovered until puffed and golden and the center is set, with no liquid egg when you press a knife into the middle. The center should read 160°F (71°C).
    350°F⏱ Bake: 50 minGrown-up: knife, heat
12. Let it

    rest (how to rest)

    Rest Leave cooked meat, baked goods or dough alone for a while before you cut, slice or shape it. 1. Move meat to a board or plate as soon as it is done (a few degrees shy of target for big roasts; it keeps rising).2. Tent it loosely with foil if the kitchen is cool.3. Rest steaks and chops 5 minutes, roasts 15 to 20, a turkey 30.4. For dough, cover it so it doesn't dry out while it relaxes. Done when: Meat juices stay in when you slice; dough rolls out without springing back. Safety: Rest at room temperature for under an hour, then refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.How to rest meat and dough: mistakes to avoid

    before cutting.
    ⏱ Rest: 10 minGrown-up: knife, heat

Tap an underlined word for how to do it, or see all techniques.

Tips

• If the top browns before the center is set, lay a sheet of foil loosely over it.
• Swap in any cooked vegetables you have: broccoli, zucchini or roasted peppers.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Reheat to 165°F (74°C) in the microwave or a 350°F oven.

Make ahead

Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

How long leftovers keep, and freezing and reheating: leftovers and storage. In season: bell peppers (July to October), spinach (March to May and September to November).