Bread and Sausage Pudding - Test 2

http://www.food.com/recipe/sausage-gruyere-and-onion-strata-100415

1 - A new comfort food! I've made substantial changes to the original recipe.

2 - So yummy! The bread I used this time was more dense, so going by weight I couldn't make the same number of layers, but they expanded well with the broth and I think I got a similar result. Used one of the 4quart dishes I use to make bread in.

3 - Just in assembling it, the way I have it worded is wonky. I think it would be better if I cubed the bread. Since I've made the bread in different shapes, just calling for 'slices' is not an accurate measure. With cubes I should be able to more easily spread and divide the stuff. It looks like the original recipe is meant to be baked uncovered, but I'm trying covered and then uncovered to see.

5 large eggs
2 1⁄2 cups milk
6-8 slices (6 to 8oz/ 168 to 224g) of day-old crusty bread cut 1⁄2 - 1⁄4  inch-thick 

1 tsp salt
fresh ground black pepper

8oz Italian sausage, casings removed
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped (6oz/170g)
2 Tbsps fresh flat-leaf parsley,chopped (optional)
6 oz gruyère cheese, grated

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk eggs and milk together. Add the salt and pepper.
2. In a flat container layer the bread and pour the egg and milk mixture as evenly as possible over this. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Once the egg and bread has finished soaking, cook the sausage by heating the oil in a large pan, break up the sausage and fry, until it starts to brown. 
4. Add onion and cook, until soft.
5. Stir in parsley (if using). 
6. When ready to assemble the dish, preheat oven to 350°F.
7. Grease a 2 quart shallow baking dish
8. Layer the ingredients as follows:
1. divide the bread and cheese into 4 equal portions
2. divide the meat into 3 equal portions
3. start my creating a layer of bread at the bottom, followed by meat, then cheese. You should end up with a top layer of cheese. 
9. Pour any remaining egg-and-milk mixture over all and put in the oven Bake 30 minutes covered, then the last 15 minutes uncovered to get a good browning. The internal temperature should be 170°F for complete doneness.