Savory Bread Pudding Casserole

Savory Bread Pudding Casserole Recipe - Vegetarian USA Dish

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour and 10 minutes | Servings: 6-8 |

Vegetarian diet

Introduction

Savory Bread Pudding Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish that combines the comforting flavors of bread pudding with savory ingredients like spinach, corn, and cheese. This dish is perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

History

Bread pudding has been a popular dish for centuries, with sweet versions dating back to ancient times. The savory version of bread pudding, like this casserole, has gained popularity in recent years as a versatile and delicious way to use up stale bread and incorporate a variety of ingredients.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
3 large eggs
1.5 cups milk
1 tsp hot sauce
0.5 tsp salt
4 cups diced stale bread
1 lb (454 g) spinach, well rinsed and wilted
1 cup corn kernels, preferably scraped from cob
1 cup chopped scallions
0.5 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

How to prepare

Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a high-sided 9x13 pan or soufflé dish.
In a bowl, beat the eggs until they become light and fluffy.
Add the milk, hot sauce, and salt to the eggs, and mix well.
Depending on the size of the dish, pour 0.33 to 0.5 of the milk mixture into the pan. Add 0.33 to 0.5 of the bread cubes and press them down into the milk mixture.
Layer in about 0.33 to 0.5 of the spinach, followed by the corn, scallions, bell pepper, and 1 cup of cheese.
Repeat the layering process, reserving 1 cup of cheese and some milk mixture.
Once complete, pour the remaining milk mixture over the top, ensuring that it soaks all of the bread.
Bake for 1 hour.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and return to the oven to brown for approximately 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve while hot.

Variations

Add cooked bacon or sausage for a meatier version of this casserole.
Swap out the cheddar cheese for a different variety, such as mozzarella or Gruyere.
Experiment with different vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to use stale bread for this recipe, as fresh bread will become too soggy when mixed with the milk and eggs.

- Wilt the spinach before adding it to the casserole to remove excess moisture and prevent the dish from becoming too watery.

- Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite vegetables, meats, or cheeses to suit your taste preferences.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Savory Bread Pudding Casserole with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Layering the ingredients in the casserole dish ensures that each bite is packed with flavor and texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

Feel free to substitute any of the vegetables or cheeses in this recipe with your favorites.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight before baking.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the casserole with fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, before serving.

Pairing Recommendations

This casserole pairs well with a crisp white wine or a light beer.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of this Savory Bread Pudding Casserole contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of this Savory Bread Pudding Casserole contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of this Savory Bread Pudding Casserole contains approximately 20 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of this Savory Bread Pudding Casserole contains approximately 15 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

This casserole is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (milk, cheese) and eggs.

Summary

This Savory Bread Pudding Casserole is a balanced dish that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Savory Bread Pudding Casserole is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for any meal of the day. With a mix of bread, vegetables, and cheese, this casserole is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.

How did I get this recipe?

I have a strong memory of the first time I saw this recipe for Savory Bread Pudding Casserole. It was a sunny day in the early spring, and I was visiting my dear friend Margaret in her cozy little cottage by the countryside. Margaret was an amazing cook, and I always looked forward to the delicious meals she would prepare whenever I visited her.

On that particular day, Margaret had decided to make something special for our lunch together. She told me that she had recently discovered a new recipe for a savory bread pudding casserole, and she was excited to try it out. As she gathered the ingredients and began to mix them together, I watched in fascination, taking mental notes of every step she took.

The smell of garlic and herbs filled the air as Margaret sautéed onions and mushrooms in a pan, adding in chopped spinach and sundried tomatoes for extra flavor. She then whisked together eggs, milk, and a generous amount of grated cheese, creating a creamy custard mixture that would bind everything together.

Next, Margaret tore up slices of day-old crusty bread and mixed them with the sautéed vegetables, pouring the custard over the top and gently stirring everything to ensure that the bread soaked up all the delicious flavors. She poured the mixture into a baking dish and sprinkled more cheese on top before popping it into the oven to bake.

As the casserole baked, filling the cottage with a mouthwatering aroma, Margaret and I sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea and chatting about old times. I couldn't wait to taste the finished dish, and when Margaret finally pulled it out of the oven, golden and bubbling, I knew it was going to be something truly special.

The first bite was pure heaven. The bread had soaked up all the flavors of the vegetables and custard, creating a rich and creamy texture that melted in my mouth. The combination of savory and cheesy flavors was a revelation, and I couldn't believe how delicious it was.

I asked Margaret where she had learned to make such a wonderful dish, and she told me that she had picked up the recipe from an old cookbook she had found at a flea market years ago. The recipe had been passed down through generations of cooks, each one adding their own twist to make it their own.

From that day on, I was determined to master the art of making savory bread pudding casserole myself. I asked Margaret for the recipe, and she gladly shared it with me, along with some tips and tricks to make it even better. I practiced making the dish over and over again, tweaking the ingredients and cooking times until I had perfected my own version of the recipe.

Now, whenever I make savory bread pudding casserole for my family and friends, I think back to that sunny day at Margaret's cottage and the joy of discovering a new and delicious recipe. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, and I am grateful for all the wonderful recipes I have learned over the years from the amazing cooks in my life.

I may have acquired this recipe from Margaret, but I have put my own spin on it, adding in new ingredients and techniques to make it truly my own. Cooking is a creative process, and I love experimenting with new flavors and combinations to create dishes that bring joy and comfort to those I love.

So the next time you're looking for a delicious and comforting meal to share with your family, why not give savory bread pudding casserole a try? It's a recipe that has stood the test of time, passed down through generations of cooks who have put their own unique stamp on it. I hope it brings as much joy and satisfaction to you as it has to me. Happy cooking!