Hot Brown Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups toasted bread cubes, ideally from a high-quality bakery-style bread
2 cups diced cooked turkey breast
Sauce
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
2/3 cup flour
salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup milk
1 1/4 cups shredded parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Topping
1/2 cup cooked bacon, chopped
1/2 cup diced tomato
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Place bread cubes in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole.
Top with diced turkey and set aside.
To make sauce: Melt butter in a large stockpot set over medium-low heat.
Whisk in the flour, salt and pepper.
Whisk hard to create a smooth, lump-free paste.
Continue to cook and stir for about 5 minutes, or until flour barely begins to brown.
Slowly whisk in half-and-half.
Slowly whisk in heavy whipping cream.
Slowly whisk in milk.
Continue to cook and stir until mixture bubbles.
Add cheese; remove from heat and stir until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
Pour sauce over bread and turkey.
Add topping before baking.
To make topping: Sprinkle bacon and tomatoes on top of sauce.
Top with shredded Parmesan cheese.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.