Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper, and Spinach Torta Rustica

A savory Italian-style layered dish featuring crusty baguette slices filled with Italian sausage, wilted spinach, roasted red peppers, and melty Fontina cheese in a rich egg custard base.

8 servings
1 hr 30 min

Ingredients

  • 16 slices baguette slices
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 12 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
  • cups grated Fontina cheese
  • ¾ cup roasted red peppers
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 8x8x2-inch baking dish. Place 8 baguette slices in bottom of dish; press 2 baguette slices onto each side. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add spinach; toss until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer spinach to strainer; cool. Squeeze spinach dry. Transfer to medium bowl.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Heat same pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage. Sauté until cooked through, breaking up, about 7 minutes. Mix into spinach; mix in 1 cup cheese and peppers. Spread atop baguette slices in bottom of dish. Whisk eggs in medium bowl to blend.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Whisk in last 4 ingredients. Pour over spinach mixture and stir lightly with fork to distribute evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over. Bake torta until puffed and golden and center is set, about 55 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes before serving.

    70 min

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