Bread and Cheese Casserole / Timballo di Pane e Formaggio

This unusual timballo uses whole wheat bread. I am particularly fond of it because it is so filling and can also double as a side dish instead of a main dish. The mixture of cheeses creates a creamy texture. Use a tomato knife to cut through the soft cheeses.

SERVES 8

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3 large leeks, white part only, thinly sliced (About 3 cups)
  • 1 large whole bay leaf
  • 1 pound thin-sliced whole wheat bread
  • 1/2 pound Asiago cheese, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 pound Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 pound Fontina cheese, cut into small pieces
  • 4 tolarge plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Fresh ground nutmeg to taste
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan and cook the leeks with the bay leaf over medium heat until the leeks soften.  Discard the bay leaf and spread the leeks in the bottom of a 9 x 1 1/2 to 3-inch deep spring form pan or use a casserole dish.
  3. Make a single layer of bread slices on top of the leeks.  Top with a layer of mixed cheese slices.  Top the cheese with a layer of tomatoes.  Sprinkle the layer with salt, cinnamon and nutmeg
  4. Continue making layers of bread, cheese and tomato, and end with a bread layer.  You should have six to seven layers, depending on the pan size.
  5. Pour the wine over the casserole and drizzle the top with olive oil.
  6. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is browned and crusty looking.  Allow the timballo to sit for 5 minutes before releasing the spring form pan or cutting into pieces if using a casserole.

This recipe was featured on Season 18 - Episode 1824.

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Comments

Lorraine LaSalle

Hello, I just happened to see your show on PBS after moving I remember watching you in Philly my husband is 1/2 italian and loves when I make you recipes this looks great Thank you Mary anne for making me a better cook in my younger days

Roy Asbury

I would like to get the recipe to make Italian Bread…….Thank You

Roy Asbury

I would like to get the recipes for Italian bread shown on WFLA TV August 15,2012 about 3PM Thanks, Roy Asbury 850 Ashton Oaks Circle, Lakeland, Florida 33813

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