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Test Kitchen Approved

Cetta Strata

Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Yield: 12 servings

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About

Cetta Strata brings the best of Italian home cooking and American casseroles... sounds like a heart-warming dish to us! Fatty, crispy pancetta melds with savory mushrooms and fresh spinach before being topped with a layer of creamy cheese and sweet, floral apricot preserves. The result is a cheesy, hearty, meaty bake that has something for everyone. Cetta Strata is a layered meal that can feed everyone at the dinner party with a flavor that's out of the stratosphere.

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Ingredients

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

Directions

Step 1 -Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2 -In a large skillet, cook the pancetta, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 5 minutes.

Step 3 -Transfer the pancetta using a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

Step 4 -Reserve 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan, discarding the rest.

Step 5 -Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the drippings and heat over medium-high heat.

Step 6 -Add the onion, cooking until tender, about 4-6 minutes.

Step 7 -Transfer the onion to a large bowl.

Step 8 -Heat the remaining butter in the pan.

Step 9 -Add the mushrooms to the pan, cooking until tender, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 10 -Stir in the spinach to the mushrooms and cook until wilted, about 30-45 seconds.

Step 11 -Add the bread cubes, the mushroom mixture, the pancetta, and the almonds to the onions, tossing to combine everything.

Step 12 -Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Step 13 -In a large bowl, beat the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper until blended.

Step 14 -Beat in the mascarpone cheese into the egg mixture until just blended.

Step 15 -Pour the mascarpone cheese mixture into the baking dish.

Step 16 -Sprinkle the top of the dish with the mozzarella cheese and the Asiago cheese.

Step 17 -Spoon the apricot preserves over the top of the cheese layer.

Step 18 -Cover and refrigerate the dish for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.

Step 19 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 20 -While the oven heats, transfer the strata from the fridge.

Step 21 -Bake until golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35-45 minutes.

Step 22 -Sprinkle the strata with the basil.

Step 23 -Let the strata stand for at least 5 minutes.

Step 24 -Serve.

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