Stuffing (or dressing) is one of my favourite parts of a Thanksgiving meal and this recipe is inspired by combining the flavours of stuffing in bread pudding form! Stuffing and bread pudding are very similar, using day-old bread and other ingredients, with the main difference being that bread pudding uses a custard (a mixture of eggs and cream) to make everything set in a more solid or cake-like fashion. This recipe (optionally) starts with Italian sausage before continuing on with the flavours of stuffing including: butter, onions, celery, garlic, sage, rosemary, and thyme. The custard is made with eggs, cream, milk and cheese. The sausage, veggies and herbs are mixed with the bread and the custard before placing in a baking dish, topping with more cheese and baking. The aromas of this stuffing bread pudding are simply amazing and it makes for a fabulous alternative to stuffing for your next holiday dinner! Cut off a slice, set it next to the roast turkey and smother it with gravy! Yum!
Savory Italian Sausage Bread Pudding
All of the flavours of a turkey dinner stuffing/dressing in a super moist savoury bread pudding with sausage and cheese!
ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (optional)
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sage, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 5 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups cream
- 2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded (or swiss, gouda, cheddar, mozzarella, etc.)
- 1 pound Italian loaf (or French loaf), (day old) cut into 1 inch cubes (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese), grated
directions
- Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat, add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart as it cooks, about 10 minutes, before setting aside.
- Add the onion and celery and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic,sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper, cook until fragrant, about a minute before turning off the heat and letting it cool.
- Mix the eggs, milk, cream, and half of the cheese.
- Mix the bread, sausage, onions and celery mixture, and egg mixture well and place into a 9×13 inch (greased) baking pan before sprinkling on the remaining cheese.
- Bake, covered, in a preheated 375F/190C oven until a knife pushed into the center comes out clean, about 45-55 minutes.
Option: Add 2 large apples, peeled, cored and diced.
Option: Serve topped with gravy!
Wow — this savory bread pudding looks incredible! The combo of sausage, herbs and creamy custard is chef’s kiss. Thanks for sharing — definitely giving this one a try!