Favorite Recipe: Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Casserole

Since I am participating in The Biggest Loser Challenge, I thought that I would share one of my favorite Weight Watchers recipes. This casserole can be made ahead of time and still tastes great re-heated. At a Points Value of 5, this is a filling meal that is a great start to the day. You can also add vegetable fillings...I have added steamed spinach and mushrooms, and the result was very good. Enjoy!

Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Casserole

Ingredients:
6 slices turkey bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
1 (12-ounce) bag frozen hash brown potatoes
1 onion, finely chopped
3 large eggs
3 egg whites
3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray three 2-cup oval baking dishes, casseroles, or ramekins with cooking spray.
2) Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 4 minutes. Add the potatoes and onion and cook until potatoes are tender and golden, about 6 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and let cool slightly.
3) Beat the eggs and egg whites in a large bowl. Add the ricotta, 1/3 cup of the Swiss cheese, the Parmesan, flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne, stirring until blended. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining 1/3 cup of Swiss cheese.
4) Bake until the casseroles are slightly puffed and golden and the cheese is melted, approximately 20-25 minutes.

(*If you bake the casserole in a single dish, the cooking time should be increased.)

Yields 6 servings.

Nutritional Info (per serving): 220 Cal, 9g Fat, 4g Sat Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 134mg Chol, 445mg Sod, 17g Carb, 1g Fib, 18g Prot, 271mg Calc