Italian Strata
Elevate your next brunch gathering with this Italian Strata, a hearty, flavor-packed breakfast casserole that's perfect for feeding a crowd. This layered dish combines cubes of crusty Italian bread, savory Italian sausage, sautéed vegetables like spinach, onions, and sweet red bell peppers, and two luxurious cheeses—grated Parmesan and gooey mozzarella—all soaked in a rich custard of eggs, whole milk, and heavy cream. Infused with garlic and a hint of oregano, every bite bursts with authentic Italian flavors. Easy to prepare ahead of time, this baked strata emerges golden and bubbling from the oven, making it an irresistible centerpiece for holidays or lazy weekend mornings. Serve it with a fresh green salad and a glass of orange juice for a complete and indulgent meal. Keywords: Italian Strata, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, egg bake, Italian bread recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 cups (cubed) Italian bread
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 cloves (minced) Garlic
- 1 medium (diced) Red bell pepper
- 1 medium (diced) Yellow onion
- 4 cups (fresh) Spinach
- 10 large Eggs
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups (shredded) Mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon (for greasing the pan) Butter
Instructions
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter and set aside.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the garlic, onion, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
Add the spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and oregano.
Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the greased baking dish.
Layer half of the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture on top of the bread cubes.
Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese over the sausage and vegetables.
Repeat the layering process with the remaining bread cubes, sausage and vegetables, and cheeses.
Slowly pour the egg mixture over the entire dish, ensuring that it is evenly distributed.
Press down lightly on the layers to help the bread soak up the egg mixture.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the egg mixture is set in the center.
Remove the strata from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Slice into portions and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
735 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.5 g | 61% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.0 g | 110% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 351 mg | 117% | |
| Sodium | 1446 mg | 63% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.8 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.7 g | ||
| Protein | 37.2 g | 74% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.8 mcg | 14% | |
| Calcium | 478 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 5.3 mg | 30% | |
| Potassium | 753 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
