Brunch Beef Strata

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs. Ground Beef

• 1 tsp. salt, divided

• ½ tsp. black pepper pepper, divided

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

• 4 oz. button mushrooms, sliced

• 1 cup chopped onion

• 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed

• 2 cups milk

• 5 large eggs

• 8 cups crustless bread cubes (¾-inch)

• 2 cups shredded Asiago or fontina cheese

• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half

• Thinly sliced fresh basil, optional