Italian Apricot-Pancetta Strata

Total Time Prep: 35 min. + chilling Bake: 35 min.
Yield 12 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
For me, the combination of sweet and savory along with easy preparation make this Italian-inspired strata a winning dish for home cooks everywhere! It can be served for breakfast, brunch, or as a late afternoon meal.—Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

Ingredients

  • 1/3 pound pancetta, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1-1/3 cups finely chopped sweet onion
  • 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped
  • 5 cups cubed multigrain bread
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds, optional
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 carton (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese
  • 1 cup apricot preserves
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil

Directions

  1. In large skillet, cook pancetta until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 1 tablespoon in pan.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon butter to drippings; heat over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir 4-6 minutes or until tender. Transfer onion to a large bowl.
  3. Heat remaining butter in pan. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until tender. Stir in spinach; cook 30-45 seconds or until wilted.
  4. Add bread cubes, mushroom mixture, pancetta and almonds if desired to onion; toss to combine. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.
  5. In a large bowl, beat eggs, cream, salt and pepper until blended. Beat in mascarpone cheese just until blended; pour over bread. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Asiago cheese; spoon preserves over top. Refrigerate, covered, several hours or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove strata from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, uncovered, 35-45 minutes or until golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with basil. Let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 440 calories, 30g fat (15g saturated fat), 165mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein.

For me, the combination of sweet and savory along with easy preparation make this Italian-inspired strata a winning dish for home cooks everywhere! It can be served for breakfast, brunch, or as a late afternoon meal.—Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
Recipe Creator

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