Spicy Sausage and Vegetable Strata

Wake up to the irresistible aroma of Spicy Sausage and Vegetable Strata, a hearty breakfast casserole that combines bold flavors with wholesome ingredients. Featuring spicy Italian sausage, vibrant bell peppers, fresh spinach, and a medley of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, this layered dish is soaked in a rich custard of eggs, milk, and a touch of hot sauce for a zesty kick. Perfect for brunch gatherings or meal prep, this strata uses day-old crusty bread to soak up all the savory goodness, resulting in a golden, puffed bake that’s as satisfying as it is versatile. Ready in just over an hour, this make-ahead-friendly recipe ensures a stress-free morning with its balance of protein-packed ingredients and colorful vegetables. Whether served on its own or paired with a fresh fruit salad, this dish will quickly become your go-to for crowd-pleasing comfort food that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage (hot or spicy)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 Red bell pepper, diced
• 1 Green bell pepper, diced
• 1 Yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 cups Fresh spinach
• 6 cups Day-old crusty bread, cubed
• 1.5 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 Eggs
• 2 cups Milk
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons Hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spicy Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced red and green bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Add the spinach and cook for 1-2 additional minutes, until wilted. Remove from heat.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 5

Layer half of the cubed bread in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the cooked sausage, half of the vegetable mixture, and half of the shredded cheeses (cheddar and mozzarella). Repeat the layers with the remaining bread, sausage, vegetables, and cheeses.

Step 6

Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the entire dish, making sure the bread is fully soaked. Let the strata sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid.

Step 7

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the strata is puffed, golden brown, and the center is set.

Step 8

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2913.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5710.8

Total Fat 314.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 136.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 2155.8mg	0%
Sodium 12422.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 431.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.4g	0%
Total Sugars 62.0g
Protein 275.2g	0%

Vitamin D 542.7IU	0%
Calcium 3578.4mg	0%
Iron 27.4mg	0%
Potassium 3626.1mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.1%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 30.5%