This dish is always a hit at events—it’s the one everyone finishes first.

This Savory Bread Pudding is a wonderful twist on a classic dessert, transforming it into a rich, hearty, and flavorful main course. With a base of day-old bread, savory Italian sausage, and aromatic fresh herbs, all baked in a creamy custard with Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a weekend brunch or dinner.

Savory Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prep Oven & Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a rectangular baking pan (e.g., a 9×13-inch dish).
2. Cook Sausage & Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the 1 pound of Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add the 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook until the onion is translucent and fragrant. Stir in the 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, and ¼ cup fresh parsley, cooking for an additional minute until the herbs are fragrant.
3. Prepare Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, and 1 cup heavy cream. Whisk in ½ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, and season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine Ingredients: Add the 8 cups of cubed day-old bread to the egg custard mixture, stirring until all the bread is well coated. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the bread to fully absorb the liquid. Gently fold in the cooked sausage and the sautéed onion mixture until everything is evenly distributed.
5. Bake: Pour the bread pudding mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is a golden brown and a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Rest & Serve: Allow the bread pudding to cool for a few minutes before serving. It will be very hot and will slice more cleanly after a short rest.