Savory Bread Pudding | Breakfast Bread Pudding Recipe

This Savory Bread Pudding recipe is the perfect breakfast casserole recipe for breakfast, dinner, or just about any meal of the day. Breakfast Bread Pudding is super easy to make, has just five ingredients, and you can even make it the night before.

Why You'll Love This Brilliant Breakfast

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and unbelievably delicious breakfast/brunch recipe, you've come to the right place. This Savory Bread Pudding takes all the things you love about a good breakfast casserole and packs it all into one deliciously savory dish.

It's packed full of eggs, ham, cheese and sourdough bread and is baked to absolute perfection.

I don't know about you, but when it comes to breakfast, the easier the recipe the better. Simplicity is exactly what I had in mind when I came up with this Savory Bread Pudding recipe, and it's truly one of the easiest breakfast bakes I've ever made.

The hardest part of the recipe is whisking the eggs, and then you just dump the eggs along with the rest of the ingredients into a pan, give it a quick stir and throw it in the oven.

Is It Good For Meal Prep?

If you're not a morning person and don't feel like having to mix everything for breakfast, you can just prepare the dish the night before.

Simply prepare the mixture the day before, refrigerate overnight and throw it in the oven the next morning. I find this particularly helpful for Thanksgiving or Christmas Breakfasts when there is so much real cooking going on that I really don't think people should be asking for breakfast at all!

This Savory Bread Pudding is a lazy breakfast at its best without compromising on taste. Now let's get to cooking this delicious egg bake!

Ingredients You'll Need For Breakfast Bread Pudding

The best part about this breakfast casserole is that it can be thrown together with just a few simple kitchen staples. Here's what you'll need to make this tasty family-friendly meal:

• 4 slices Sourdough Bread- The base of the dish. Sourdough adds a slightly tangy flavor and sturdy texture that holds up well to the custard mixture without becoming mushy. Cubing it ensures even soaking and baking.
• 6 Eggs- The key binding ingredient that forms the custard. Eggs create structure and richness, helping the bread pudding set while keeping it tender and moist.
• 1 cup Half and Half- Combines with the eggs to make the custard mixture. It provides creaminess and a luscious texture without being too heavy.
• 1 cup Shredded Cheese- Adds savory flavor, richness, and gooey texture throughout the pudding. You can use cheddar, Swiss, or Gruyère depending on your flavor preference.
• 1 teaspoon Salt- Enhances all the other flavors and balances the richness of the eggs, cheese, and ham.
• 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper- Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor, complementing the savory ingredients perfectly.
• ½ pound Diced Ham, or Canadian Bacon- Provides a salty, smoky protein element that transforms the bread pudding into a hearty, satisfying main dish. It also adds contrast to the soft custard and bread with a bit of chewiness.

How To Make Savory Bread Pudding

1. Grease a 12-inch heatproof skillet and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350F.
3. Whisk together the eggs, half and half (or milk), salt and pepper. Stir in bread, ham, and cheese.
4. Pour the mixture into the greased pan and set it in the oven.
5. Bake for 40 minutes until a knife inserted comes out clean.
6. Serve with hot sauce.

Tips And Tricks

Making a Savory Bread Pudding is all about balancing texture and flavor so each bite is rich, cheesy, and satisfying. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure it turns out perfectly every time:

• You can save time by preparing the dish the night before you plan on eating it. Simply prepare the mixture the day before, refrigerate overnight and throw it in the oven the next morning.
• You can freeze the uncooked, assembled savory bread pudding ingredients and cook them another day, making it a great meal prep recipe.
• Make sure you've greased the skillet well, otherwise you'll have trouble getting the slices out of the skillet.
• Just because this is a "breakfast" recipe doesn't mean you can't enjoy it for dinner as well!

Other Tasty Variations

Savory Bread Pudding is wonderfully versatile, making it easy to customize with different mix-ins and flavor combinations to suit any occasion. Here are some delicious variations to try:

• Switch up the meats. I opted for ham in this recipe because it seems like I always have some leftover in the fridge or freezer. Feel free to use any other precooked meat of your choice to this dish. I love it with sausage crumbles and bacon, too.
• Make it vegetarian. Whether you're on a budget or just live a meat-free lifestyle, this is a great filling breakfast even without the added animal protein. Cook as directed, just omit the precooked ham.
• Add veggies. Trying to get your daily serving of greens in? Add spinach, bell peppers, onions, jalapenos, or even broccoli for a boost in vitamins and fiber. Careful not to go overboard, the additional water the veggies release can make the texture of this breakfast bread pudding a little more dense.
• Make it sweet with fruit. Love your breakfast on the sweet side? Add in finely chopped apples, peaches, or berries with a pinch of sugar or sugar alternative for a delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert.

What To Eat With Savory Bread Pudding

Savory Bread Pudding is a comforting, versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of sides and accompaniments. Here's a list of delicious options to enjoy with it:

• Breakfast Proteins- Pair with bacon, sausage, or poached eggs for a hearty brunch spread.
• Spreads and Sauces- Complement with a dollop of herbed butter, pesto, or hollandaise sauce.
• Fresh Fruit or Compote- Add a sweet contrast with berries, citrus slices, or a light fruit compote.

How Long Does It Last?

Savory Bread Pudding will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when stored properly in an airtight container. Allow it to cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation from making it soggy.

To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or reheat larger portions in a 350°F oven until heated through, which helps maintain its crispy top and soft, custardy center.

Can You Freeze It?

For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Wrap the bread pudding tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container.

When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as desired for a freshly baked flavor and texture.

Make Ahead And Storage

If you're looking for a tasty make-ahead breakfast for the weekend, this is exactly what you're craving. Like to sleep in a little on your day off but hate the idea of crawling out of bed just to get to work in the kitchen?

Feel free to make this the night before and pop it in the oven when you're trying to peel your eyes open for the day.

Looking For More Great Breakfast Recipes?

• Air Fried Herb and Cheese Frittata - Simply delicious and comes together so easily!
• Asparagus Cheese Frittata - A creamy and tasty keto frittata that comes together with little effort.
• Broccoli Frittata with Ham and Peppers - A fabulous breakfast, brunch, or a light one-pot meal.
• Poblano Cheese Frittata - Another incredible frittata recipe for your IP that's a little more light than the Ham & Pepper version.
• Pressure Cooker Vietnamese Yogurt - The most delicious and foolproof Instant Pot yogurt recipe you'll make!
• Instant Pot Cranberry Millet Porridge - Deliciously spiced and super simple.
• Cheese Grits - A delicious breakfast southern classic.
• Keto Granola - Just perfect with a little almond milk when you're craving crunchy cereal.

Whether you make this Savory Bread Pudding for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a midnight snack (not that I would do that or anything...), you're sure to love this simple and delicious breakfast bread pudding!