Sweet Potato & Sausage Strata

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°.

Step 2: Place the bread on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes, stirring once. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Pierce the potato with a fork. Place the potato on a microwave safe paper towel. Microwave at high for 8 minutes or until done. Let stand 5 minutes. Peel the potato and cut into 1/2 inch cubes.

Step 4: Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add oil to the pan; swirl to coat. Add sausage to the pan; cook 6 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble.

Step 5: Place the bread, sweet potato, half of the sausage, and half of the cheese in a large bowl. Combine milk and the next 4 ingredients (through eggs) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk; pour over the bread mixture and toss gently to combine. Let stand 20 minutes.

Step 6: Scoop the mixture into an 8-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with the remaining half of the sausage and the remaining half of cheese.

Step 7: Cover with foil lightly coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

Step 8: Remove foil; bake at 350° an additional 20 minutes or until done. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Step 9: Drizzle with maple syrup.