Veggie-Packed Strata

Name: Veggie-Packed Strata
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 2 medium sweet red peppers, julienned; 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, julienned; 1 large red onion, sliced; 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 medium yellow summer squash, thinly sliced; 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced; 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 6 large eggs, room temperature; 8 slices bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups), divided; 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 1 hour 20 minutes + standing YIELD: 8 servings.

This is a wonderful, colorful casserole that everyone enjoys. I'm sure you'll be hooked on it after one bite, too. —Jennifer Unsell, Vance, Alabama

Ingredients

2 medium sweet red peppers, julienned
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, julienned
1 large red onion, sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium yellow summer squash, thinly sliced
2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
6 large eggs, room temperature
8 slices bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups), divided
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Directions

1. In a large skillet, saute peppers and onion in 1 Tbsp. oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain; pat dry and set aside. In the same skillet, saute the yellow squash, zucchini and mushrooms in remaining 2 Tbsp. oil until tender. Drain; pat dry and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, cream, salt and pepper until smooth. Beat in eggs. Stir in vegetables, half of the bread cubes and Swiss cheese. Arrange the remaining bread cubes in a greased 10-in. springform pan. Place on a baking sheet. Pour egg mixture into pan.
3. Bake, uncovered, until set and a thermometer reads 160°, 80-95 minutes. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving. Run a knife around side of pan to loosen; remove side. Cut into wedges.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 453 calories, 31g fat (15g saturated fat), 202mg cholesterol, 938mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.