Cheesy Sausage Strata

We usually do a big breakfast on Saturday mornings when everyone is here,and since today we had a full house + 1 (our niece), I decided that I'd try to make something new, other than sausage, pancakes and eggs. The number one reason being: Big Breakfast = Big Mess!
Almost everytime at MOPS, someone brings a strata, and it is always good, so I've been wanting to make one myself for awhile. I cracked open my BHG Cookbook, and found a recipe that seemed easy enough, and as a bonus, it had the option to premake it the night before!
We had it this morning, and it was a success. The only one who didn't like it was Taylor, but she is the most picky eater I've ever met, even more than I am ;-)

Cheesy Sausage Strata

Ingredients
8 ounces bulk Italian or pork sausage
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped red sweet pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups French or Italian bread cubes (5 ounces)
1-1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (6 ounces)
4 beaten eggs
2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro or parsley


Directions
1. In a large skillet cook sausage, onion, sweet pepper, and garlic until sausage is cooked and vegetables are tender. Drain off fat. Set aside.

2. Place bread cubes in 2-quart square baking dish. Spoon sausage mixture over bread cubes. Sprinkle with 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese.

3. In medium bowl combine eggs, milk, salt, and cilantro. Pour evenly over bread in baking dish to moisten. Using back of spoon, gently press bread down. Let stand for 15 minutes.

4. Bake in a 325 degree F oven, uncovered, about 45 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

5. Makes 6 servings

6. Overnight Strata: Assemble as above through Step 3. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours. Before serving, bake in a 325 degree F oven about 1 hour or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand and serve as above.

Nutrition Facts
Calories 375, Total Fat (g) 23, Saturated Fat (g) 11, Cholesterol (mg) 198, Sodium (mg) 684, Carbohydrate (g) 18, Fiber (g) 1, Protein (g) 21, Vitamin A (DV%) 0, Vitamin C (DV%) 0, Calcium (DV%) 34, Iron (DV%) 10, Starch (d.e.) 1, Medium-fat Meat (d.e.) .5, High-fat Meat (d.e.) 2, Fat (d.e.) 1, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet