Savory Bread Pudding with Cheddar and Herbs Recipe

Introduction

Savory bread pudding is a comforting and versatile dish that transforms stale bread into a rich, cheese-filled casserole. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dinner, it’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (454 g) stale, hearty and buttery bread
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pour a tablespoon (15 ml) of melted butter into the bottom of a 9 or 10 inch deep dish pie plate, or an 11 x 7 or 9 x 13 casserole dish. Evenly coat the bottom and sides of the dish with the melted butter.
2. Step 2: Cube pieces of brioche, croissant, challah, or French bread and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until well combined. Add the milk, heavy cream, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper, and whisk until smooth.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese until well mixed. Fold in the bread cubes, ensuring each piece is fully coated in the cheese custard. Let the mixture rest while the oven preheats.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 30 minutes. Once fully preheated, pour the bread pudding mixture evenly into the prepared dish.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the center is puffed and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
7. Step 7: If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil after 30 to 35 minutes of baking.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired. Serve warm for the best flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or cooked bacon to the custard mixture before baking.
• Use a mix of cheeses like Gruyère or fontina alongside cheddar for a richer taste.
• Allowing the bread to soak for 10 minutes helps it absorb the custard fully, resulting in a creamier pudding.

Storage

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to retain texture and flavor. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh bread instead of stale bread?

Yes, but lightly toast the bread cubes first to help them absorb the custard better without becoming too mushy.

Can I prepare the bread pudding ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the pudding and refrigerate it overnight, then bake fresh before serving for convenience and enhanced flavors.

Savory Bread Pudding with Cheddar and Herbs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 664 reviews

This Savory Bread Pudding is a comforting and hearty dish made with cubes of buttery, stale bread soaked in a rich custard of eggs, milk, cream, fresh herbs, and sharp cheddar cheese. Baked until puffed and golden, this casserole makes a perfect brunch, side dish, or light meal, bursting with cheesy, herbaceous flavor and a satisfying custard texture.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Bread Pudding

• 1 pound (454 g) stale, hearty and buttery bread (such as brioche, croissant, challah, or French bread)
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (for greasing the baking dish)

Instructions

1. Prep the Baking Dish: Pour a tablespoon (15 ml) of melted butter into the bottom of a 9- or 10-inch deep dish pie plate, or an 11 x 7 or 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Tilt and rotate the dish to evenly coat the bottom and sides with the butter to prevent sticking.
2. Cube the Bread: Cut the stale bread into cubes. Using bread like brioche, croissant, challah, or French bread helps ensure a rich and buttery flavor. Set the cubes aside for now.
3. Make the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until well combined. Add the milk, heavy cream, fresh herbs (thyme or rosemary), salt, and pepper; whisk again until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
4. Add Cheese and Coat Bread: Stir in 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese into the custard mixture. Gently fold in the bread cubes, making sure every piece is fully coated in the cheesy custard. Allow the mixture to rest for a few minutes so the bread absorbs the custard while the oven preheats.
5. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it’s at the right temperature once the bread pudding is ready to bake.
6. Assemble the Bread Pudding: Evenly pour the bread and custard mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
7. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. The bread pudding is done when it is fully puffed up, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. To prevent the top from browning too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil after 30 to 35 minutes if necessary.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Optionally, garnish with additional fresh herbs before serving. Enjoy warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Use stale bread for best results because it soaks up the custard better without becoming mushy.
• You can swap cheddar for other semi-hard cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for different flavor profiles.
• Letting the bread soak in the custard before baking ensures a creamy interior.
• If the top browns quickly, cover with foil to prevent burning while the center finishes cooking.
• This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.

Keywords: savory bread pudding, cheesy bread casserole, brunch recipe, baked custard, comfort food, cheddar bread pudding, herb bread pudding