HappyCook80's Recipe

Spicy Italian American Strata

Category: Recipes

Spicy Italian American Strata

1 8 oz. loaf frech bread cut into 1 inch cubes
1 3 1/2 oz. pkg. sliced pepperoni, coarsely choped
1/2 cup pepperoncini salad peppers, drained, stemmed, and chopped
1 10 oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1/2 cup oil-packed dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 8 oz. pkg. shredded italian blend cheeses
6 eggs, slightly beaten
3 cups milk
2 tsps. dried italian seasoning, crushed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place bread cubes in a 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring once.

In a greased 3 quart rectangular baking dish place half of the
bread cubes. Top with half of the pepperoni, half of the pepperonici
peppers, all of the spinach, and all of the tomatoes. Sprinkle with
1 cup of the italian blend cheeses.

Repeat layers with remaining bread, pepperoni, pepperoncini peppers, and italian blend cheeses.

In a large bowl whisk together eggs, milk, italian seasoning, salt an dcayenne pepper. Slowly pour over layers in dish; press down lightly on top layer using th eback of a large spoon. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Serves 10 to 12.