Sausage and Cheese Strata

1/2 lb seasoned sausage links
8 slices white bread
3/4 lb (3 c) shredded Mozzarella cheese
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley
8-10 large mushrooms (1/4 lb)
3 TBSP butter, melted

Cut sausage links into thirds, brown in small skillet, drain on paper towels. Butter 1 quart soufflé dish or 9x9x2 casserole dish. Cut the crusts from the bread, cut in 1/2 inch cubes. Prepare the mushrooms, sliced and sautéed in 1 TBSP butter.

Arrange a third of the  bread cubes in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle with a third of the cheese, then arrange the sausage pieces over this. Add a layer of the mushrooms. Top with 1/2 of the remaining bread, sprinkle with 1/2 of the remaining cheese. Top with the rest of the bread, pressing down slightly, add the rest of the cheese on top.

Combine eggs, milk, salt, and parsley, pour mixture slowly over the layers. Drizzle with 2 TBSP melted butter, chill, covered, for several hours or overnight. Allow casserole to stand at room temperature for 45 minutes to 1 hour before baking. Set casserole inside a 9x13 cake pan, pour water around the outside of the casserole to come up about half way up the sides. Bake at 350 F for 1 to 1/4 hours, or until golden brown. Makes 9 servings.

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