🥓 Savory Bread Pudding with Sausage & Herbs: A Flavorful Main-Course Twist
This Savory Bread Pudding turns a sweet breakfast classic into a hearty, Italian-inspired main dish. Featuring day-old bread soaked in a creamy custard, Italian sausage, fragrant herbs, and Parmesan cheese—it’s rich, comforting, and ideal for brunch or family dinners. Minimal effort, maximum savory satisfaction!
Why You’ll Love This Hearty Savory Bake
This dish combines the comforting custardy texture of bread pudding with bold savory flavors—Italian sausage, fresh herbs, creamy cheeses—together baked until golden and crispy on top. It’s elegant yet approachable, perfect for entertaining or feeding the family with minimal fuss.
Chef Bobby Flay’s Flavor Tip
Chef Bobby Flay recommends adding a pinch of crushed red pepper or finishing with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon zest—“It brightens the richness and adds a little zing.”
Ree Drummond’s Comfort-Style Serving
Ree Drummond suggests pairing the bread pudding with a simple mixed-green salad and dried cranberries tossed in vinaigrette—“The sweet-tart salad balances the savory richness beautifully.”
Gordon Ramsay’s Safety & Texture Reminder
Chef Gordon Ramsay emphasizes letting the custard rest so the bread fully absorbs the liquid—“That soak time is key for even, custardy texture throughout.”
Ina Garten’s Lightened-Up Adjustment
Ina Garten suggests using low-fat milk or reducing cream and swapping half the sausage with sautéed mushrooms to lighten while retaining depth—“You’ll still get savory richness without overdoing it.”
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 8)
- Cubed day‑old bread – 8 cups
- Italian sausage (casing removed) – 1 lb (approx. 450 g)
- Olive oil – 1 Tbsp
- Medium onion, diced – 1
- Garlic cloves, minced – 2
- Fresh thyme leaves – 1 Tbsp
- Fresh rosemary, chopped – 1 Tbsp
- Fresh parsley, chopped – ¼ cup
- Large eggs – 6
- Whole milk – 2 cups
- Heavy cream – 1 cup
- Grated Parmesan cheese – 1 cup (½ cup for custard + ½ cup topping)
- Salt & black pepper – to taste
🍽️ Step‑By‑Step Instructions
1. Prep Oven & Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13‑inch (or similar) rectangular baking dish.
2. Cook Sausage & Aromatics
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion and minced garlic until translucent. Stir in fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley for about 1 minute.
3. Whisk the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, and half the grated Parmesan. Season generously with salt and pepper.
4. Combine Bread & Custard
Add cubed day‑old bread to the custard mixture and stir until bread is fully coated. Let stand for 10 minutes so the bread absorbs the custard.
5. Fold in Sausage & Onion Mix
Gently fold in the cooked sausage and sautéed onion-herb mixture until evenly distributed throughout the soaked bread.
6. Assemble & Bake
Transfer mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over the top. Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden and a knife comes out clean.
7. Rest & Serve
Let the bread pudding rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing—this helps it hold shape. Serve warm, optionally garnished with extra chopped parsley.
🩺 Nutrition & Health Benefits (Per Serving, ~8 servings)
| Nutrient | Approx. Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~450–500 kcal | Depends on sausage fat and cream content |
| Protein | 20–25 g | From eggs, sausage, and cheese |
| Fat | 20–25 g | Olive oil, sausage, cream, cheese |
| Carbohydrates | 35–40 g | From bread; higher if whole‑grain is used |
| Fiber | ~2–3 g | More if whole‑grain or added vegetables |
| Sodium | ~700–800 mg | Adjust by reducing added salt or choosing low‑sodium sausage |
| Calcium | ~150 mg | From Parmesan cheese |
Health tips: Trim visible fat from sausage, choose whole‑grain bread to boost fiber, reduce cream, and consider lower-fat dairy substitutions.
⚠️ Safety & Storage Suggestions
- Cook sausage thoroughly, and drain excess fat before combining.
- Cool uncovered at room temperature for up to 2 hours, then refrigerate in airtight container.
- Consume within 3–4 days or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in oven at 350 °F (175 °C) until heated through to maintain texture.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I make it vegetarian? Substitute Italian sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or plant‑based sausage.
- What type of bread works best? Day‑old rustic, country loaf, or sourdough hold up well—but soaked white bread also works.
- Can I prepare ahead? Yes—assemble and refrigerate 4–6 hours before baking; increase bake time slightly.
- Can I add veggies? Definitely—try bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach folded in.
- How do I adjust herbs? Swap thyme or rosemary with oregano, basil, or sage as preferred.
- Can I use half‑and‑half instead of cream? Yes—substitute cream with half‑and‑half for a lighter custard.
- Is it freezer-friendly? Yes—freeze baked portions or unbaked assembled pudding (wrapped) up to 3 months.
- How do I make it gluten‑free? Use gluten‑free bread and ensure all other ingredients are compliant.
- Should I toast the bread first? Optional—lightly toasting cubes can add crunch, but soak time should be adjusted.
- How do I get a crisp top? Broil for 1–2 minutes at end, watching closely to prevent burning.
🔗 More Hearty Brunch & Dinner Ideas on FreshTonerHungar
- Savory Soufflé & Bread-Based Savories — elegant brunch bakes.
- Sausage-Centric Main Courses — inspiration for flavorful comfort cooking.
- Hearty Brunch Fiesta Recipes — crowd-pleasing brunch ideas.
- Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly Recipes — prep smart and save time.
🌟 Final Thoughts
This Savory Bread Pudding turns humble bread into a luxurious, herb-scented entrée with minimal fuss and maximum warmth. Ideal for brunch gatherings or cozy comfort meals, it’s flexible, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying.
Whip it up ahead, serve it warm with crisp salad or veggies, and savor the creamy, savory goodness in every bite. Enjoy every cozy, flavorful forkful! 🥂
