Description
Savory bread pudding is a versatile, comforting dish made with eggs, bread, cheese, and vegetables. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish for dinner, and can be adapted to suit various tastes and dietary preferences.
Ingredients
- 6 slices of day-old bread (sourdough, baguette, or French bread work well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 cup spinach or kale, chopped (optional)
- 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole milk, almond milk, or any milk of your choice)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cut the bread into cubes, about 1-inch in size. If the bread is not already stale, lightly toast the cubes in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to dry them out. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. If using bell pepper and spinach or kale, add them and sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes until tender.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish and layer the toasted bread cubes. Pour the sautéed vegetables and garlic over the bread. Sprinkle half of the grated cheese on top. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring it’s fully soaked. Press down gently on the bread with a spatula to ensure even coverage. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for more flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated, bake the bread pudding for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden and the center is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let it cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley or chives before serving. Serve warm as a main dish or as a side.
Notes
- For a meat option, add cooked beef or sausage. Sauté the meat with the vegetables or layer it between the bread and cheese.
- For a vegan version, replace the eggs with a flax egg and use plant-based milk and vegan cheese. Sauté mushrooms or tofu for extra protein.
- Experiment with fresh or dried herbs such as basil, oregano, or thyme to customize the flavor.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or tomatoes to the mix for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
