Use It or lose It: French Toast Casserole

If you're like me, you have bread in your freezer. I save it all—those big crusty loaf ends, shamefully old hot dog and hamburger buns, sub rolls, and dinner rolls. Until recently, I only used that leftover bread for croutons or bread crumbs.

But oh, I have a new trick up my sleeve now: French Toast Casserole. It's recipe number three of the Use It or Lose It series.

Start with whatever bread you have. Stale or aged-in-the-freezer pieces are perfect for this recipe. Tear it up into small pieces and cover the bottom of your baking dish with it.

In a In a large bowl, whisk together 7-8 eggs, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a dash of salt and pepper. Pour over the bread pieces and distribute evenly in the pan.

Next sprinkle 1 cup of grated cheese (whatever you have will do) over the top. If you're up for it, cook some bacon or crumbled sausage and sprinkle that over the top too. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 40 minutes until the eggs are set. Let cool for a few before serving.

So good served with a little maple syrup.

This is a great brunch dish, or a super simple recipe if you're feeding a large group for breakfast.

If eggs aren't your thing, there are plenty of good uses for the bread you have hanging around. I had no idea just how many recipes included old bread, and was pleasantly surprised when I googled "uses for leftover bread." Here's a whole list.