This Savory Bread Pudding recipe is filled with fresh herbs and spices. It’s studded with melted Monterey jack cheese and bacon bits throughout.

It costs approximately $12.46 to make this recipe. The recipe makes eight servings for about $1.56 per serving.

A close up of the finished Savory Bread Pudding recipe in a casserole dish.

This versatile dish transforms humble bread into a culinary delight with creamy, cheesy, savory goodness.

Imagine tender chunks of bread infused with a rich, creamy custard, cheese, and little gems of bacon. You will cook the savory bread pudding until the exposed bread cubes are golden and crisp.

The next time you have leftover bread, make this recipe. Do not let the bread go to waste. Instead, use it to make this Bread Pudding. Your family, friends, and taste buds will thank you.

What You’ll Love About Savory Bread Pudding:

  • It’s a great way to use up leftover bread. 
  • It’s a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. 
  • It’s a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for breakfast or as a side dish. 
Some bread pudding left in the baking dish so you can see the interior texture of the pudding.

Ingredients and Estimated Cost:

Per Serving Cost: $1.56

Recipe Cost: $12.46

  • 5 eggs – $1.80
  • 5 yolks – $0.90
  • 2 cups milk – $0.48
  • ½ cup heavy cream – $0.78
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil – $0.14
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary – $0.36
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt – $0.01
  • 1 ½ teaspoon black pepper – $0.15
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme – $0.03
  • 7 ½ cups day-old bread – $2.85
  • 1 ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese – $1.87
  • ⅔ cup bacon bits – $3.09

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in November 2023.

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How To Make Savory Bread Pudding:

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Whisk eggs and yolks until smooth, then whisk in milk, cream, oil, rosemary, salt, pepper, and thyme.
  3. Arrange bread in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
  4. Sprinkle ¾ of the cheese and ¾ of the bacon bits over the bread.
  5. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and press it down slightly to ensure it’s saturated.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon bits over the top.
  7. Bake for 45 minutes or until set and golden.
  8. Serve immediately.

A picture collage showing how to make this recipe.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations:

  • Meats (no more than 1 cup): ham, crumbled breakfast sausage, or pancetta.
  • Cheese (no more than 1 cup): sharp cheddar, gruyere, or Parmesan.
  • Veggies (no more than 1 cup): sautéed mushrooms, kale, leek, artichoke, or spinach.
  • Heavy cream: Half & half may be used instead. I recommend using heavy cream, as it adds to the richness and creaminess of this recipe.
  • Fresh rosemary: Dried rosemary may be used instead. If used, only add 1 tsp to the recipe.
  • Fresh thyme: Dried thyme may be used instead. If used, only add ⅓ tsp to the recipe.

Storage Tips:

STORE: You can leave the bread pudding out for no longer than two hours before it needs to be covered and refrigerated. Place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

FREEZE: To freeze, securely wrap the dish in two layers of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

THAW: Thaw the dish for 24 hours in the refrigerator before removing it 1 hour before baking to allow it to come to room temperature.

REHEAT: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated.

A scoop of Savory Bread Pudding on a white plate.

Savory Bread Pudding Recipe FAQs:

What are the ingredients in bread pudding?

Here is what you need to make this savory bread pudding recipe: butter, olive oil, shallots, Holland House Sherry Cooking Wine, half-and-half, eggs, chives, thyme, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and French Bread.

Why is my bread pudding mushy?

Make sure you cook the pudding uncovered. If it is covered, it can keep the pudding from setting correctly, resulting in mushy pudding.

Do you eat bread pudding hot or cold?

Another reason this recipe is so great is because it is flexible. You can serve the dish hot, cold, or at room temperature. 

More Side Dishes:

Some bread pudding left in the baking dish so you can see the interior texture of the pudding.
5 from 8 votes

Savory Bread Pudding

Recipe Cost $ $12.46
Serving Cost $ $1.56
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
8 people
This Savory Bread Pudding recipe is filled with fresh herbs and spices. It’s studded with melted Monterey jack cheese and bacon bits throughout.

Ingredients
 
 

  • 5 eggs
  • 5 yolks
  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary minced
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme minced
  • 7 ½ cups day old bread cubed
  • 1 ½ cup Monterey jack cheese shredded
  • cup bacon bits

Instructions

PREP OVEN AND PAN:

  • Move the oven rack to the middle position.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

MAKE EGG MIXTURE:

  • In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and yolks until smooth.
  • Add the milk, heavy cream, and oil and whisk until combined.
  • Whisk in rosemary, salt, pepper, and thyme.

ASSEMBLE:

  • In the prepared baking dish, arrange the bread in a single layer.
  • Sprinkle about ¾ of the cheese and ¾ of the bacon bits over the bread.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the bread and press the bread down slightly into the egg mixture to make sure all of it is saturated.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon bits over the top.

BAKE:

  • Bake for 45 minutes, until set and golden.
  • Once baked, remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Notes

  • To prevent the bread pudding from getting too crisp on top, you may bake it with a water bath.
    • Adjust the racks to where one is below the middle rack.
    • Fill a baking dish with 1” of water and place it on the bottom rack after you have set the bread pudding into the oven. 
  • If the top of the bread pudding starts to burn before the baking time is up, loosely cover it with tin foil. This will prevent it from burning while it finishes baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 953kcal | Carbohydrates: 115g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 264mg | Sodium: 2038mg | Potassium: 514mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 778IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 570mg | Iron: 9mg

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20 Comments

  1. I love bread pudding, but have never tried a savory version before. This would make a great holiday side dish!

    1. Yes, exactly! Perfect for the holidays! 🙂

  2. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

    Caramelized shallots are incredible! Meanwhile, this bread pudding will have my stomach growling for days! Haha. What yummy-looking pics too!

  3. Patty K-P says:

    Bread pudding is an absolute MUST in our household this time of year. I cannot wait to give your savory recipe a try…it sounds intriguing!

    1. I hope you enjoy! 🙂

  4. I love the ide aof making bread pudding savory! I need to make this soon!

    1. I hope you enjoy! 🙂

  5. I’ve never thought of making a savory bread pudding, but this sounds absolutely irresistible!

  6. Brian Jones says:

    Such great flavours, I’ve never tried a savoury bred pudding but it looks fab.

  7. Jessica Fasano Formicola says:

    A savory bread pudding sounds like pure bliss. This is the perfect comfort food!

  8. I have actually never made a savory bread pudding, but this looks like the perfect place to start! I love the pairing with the sherry cooking wine. Perfect for holiday get-togethers.

  9. This looks delicious! My family would love it!

  10. I am so happy to find another bread pudding addict! I make it all the time, mostly because it’s *thisclose* to stuffing, and who doesn’t love stuffing? Such great comfort food. And nutmeg with caramelized shallots? Such a great combo.

    1. I agree, bread pudding is some serious comfort food!