As much as we’re both creatures of habit and we love having a daily routine on the weekdays, we live for the freedom of weekends (but really, who doesn’t?)! One of our favorite things about the weekend is that we get to kick back and relax, break free from our weekday schedule and enjoy a satisfying, healthy breakfast. The weekday mornings don’t allow for much relaxation or much time to savor food—especially for me, Tammy–between trying to get my daughters dressed and fed and finishing packing their lunches, I’m lucky to get to school without a meltdown (and I’m talking about me, not the kids! 😉 ). So when the weekend rolls around, I (and Lyssie, too) long for a satisfying breakfast that we can savor and enjoy.  Of course, as registered dietitians and personal trainers we love to whip up new creations that fit the bill from both a nutritious and delicious perspective, as well!

Say hello to our latest creation! The good news about this is that you can keep it in the fridge for a couple days and pop it in the microwave for a quick weekday breakfast as well, or freeze it to make it last even longer! It’s insanely delish and the creatures of habit in us (who you may already know, have eaten an apple every day since we were in high school) are dying to make this daily–after all, it does include an apple to boot! 😉  We hope you love it as much as we do!

Cheesy Egg & Apple Breakfast Bake

Eggs are one of the most satisfying foods out there. Thanks to their protein, they can keep you satiated for hours. And the cheese makes this dish feel really rich and decadent, while the apples add the perfect sweetness while adding a boost of fiber and heart-healthy flavonoids. And for just over 200 calories and more than 20 grams of protein per serving, you can’t go wrong! This bake encompasses a lot of different flavors and textures and is perfect to serve for brunch.

Makes 7 servings

Ingredients
2 ½ large apples (use a sweeter variety like Fuji or Red Delicious)
2 ounces turkey bacon
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 ½ teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
4 eggs
1 ½ cups liquid egg whites
¼ cup 2% fat plain Greek yogurt
5 ounces light cheddar cheese, grated
4 ounces fat-free feta cheese, crumbled
Freshly ground pepper
Oil in a spray container

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Core and thinly slice two of the apples. Repeat for the remaining half apple, but set it aside to layer on top.
In a large nonstick pan over medium heat, cook the turkey bacon until slightly crisp. Transfer the turkey bacon to a cutting board and roughly chop.

Place on a small plate and set aside.

In the same pan, add the olive oil and turn the heat to medium. Add the onion and apple. Sauté for 10 minutes or until the ingredients are soft and translucent.

Stir in the rosemary and thyme. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, and Greek yogurt. Add the cheeses, turkey bacon, and apple/onion mixture. Season with pepper and mix well.

Spritz a casserole dish with oil from spray container and pour in egg mixture. Place in the oven and cook for about 30-35 minutes or until the center is set. About 20 minutes into the cooking time, take out the casserole and arrange the remaining apple slices on top. Place the dish back in the oven and continue to bake for the remaining time. Allow the casserole to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 203 Calories, 7 g Fat, 2 g Saturated Fat, 135 mg Cholesterol, 499 mg Sodium, 15 g Carbohydrate, 2 g Fiber, 10 g Sugar, 21 g Protein