Italian Style Strata Brunch Casserole Recipes

ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PEPPER STRATA

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up any clumps with a wooden spoon, until brown, about 5 minutes; transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the bell peppers to the skillet with 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 minutes. Set aside.
• Whisk together the half-and-half, Parmesan, parsley, eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl.
• Layer half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella, followed by the sausage and peppers. Cover with the remaining bread cubes and pour the custard evenly over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let soak at room temperature 30 minutes to 1 hour. (To make ahead, after adding the custard, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight and then let the strata sit at room temperature while the oven preheats.)
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Remove the plastic and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella. Bake until slightly puffed and no longer jiggly in the center, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN STRATA

Steps:

• In large skillet, cook sausage, drain.
• Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
• Cut bread into 1/2 inch cubes.
• In a large bowl, combine sausage, bread and mushrooms.
• Put in prepared pan.
• In same large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and seasonings.
• Pour over bread mixture.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• In the morning, preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake uncovered 1 hour. Sprinkle evenly with cheeses.
• Bake 15 minutes longer.
• Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN-STYLE STRATA BRUNCH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Grease a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish.
• Spread half of the bread cubes in the bottom of the baking dish.
• Top evenly with the prosciutto or ham cubes, then the chopped roasted red peppers, then green onions and then sprinkle with about 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Spread the remaining bread cubes on top, then tomatoes, then olives and the the mozzarella cheese.
• In a bowl whisk together the eggs, full-fat milk, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, seasoned salt and black pepper.
• Pour over the layered ingredients.
• Sprinkle about 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (or to taste) over the top.
• Cover and chill for a minimum of 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
• When ready to bake set oven to 325°F.
• Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until the center is set and the top is lightly browned.
• Sprinkle with capers (if using) and parsley.
• Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting into squares.
• Serve warm or room temperature.