Italian Pumpkin Strata - 9/10/04

Italian Pumpkin Strata
This vegetable-filled strata employs bread, cheese, milk, pumpkin and eggs to create a moist and delicious casserole you can cut into squares or wedges and serve with a platter of fresh fruit for a smashing brunch!

1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
1 cup (1 small) chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
12 cups (about 1-pound loaf) 1 1/2-inch cubes Italian or French bread
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups (two 12 fluid-ounce cans) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1 3/4 cups (15-ounce can) LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
4 large eggs
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1/2 tsp dried basil, crushed
1/2 tsp dried marjoram, crushed

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

  2. Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion, bell peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring to break up sausage, for 7 to 10 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink; drain.

  3. Combine bread cubes, cheese and sausage mixture in large bowl. Beat evaporated milk, pumpkin, eggs, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and marjoram in medium bowl. Pour over bread mixture, pressing bread into milk mixture. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Serve warm.

Servings: 12
Preparation time: 18 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes

Source: Nestlé