Savory Sausage, Spinach & Artichoke Bread Pudding
By: Angela LeMoine
Published: Sunday, December 9, 2012 - 6:57pm

Ingredients




1 lb loaf crusty bread, day old and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 lb sweet Italian sausage meat (no casing)
1 small onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
10 oz spinach, rough chopped
14 oz can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and cut in half
6 eggs
3 1/2 cups light cream
8 oz Six Cheese Italian Blend
1/4 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
salt and pepper
olive oil

Preparation

1 Quick note, the key to getting a bread pudding that isn't mush is to use day old bread, cut it into cube and let them sit for a couple hours to dry out. This prevents the bread from soaking up too much liquid and falling apart. 2 In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add in a few drizzles of olive oil and the sausage. Using a wooden spoon or potato masher break up the meat into crumbles. Once the sausage is cooked through remove and place in a bowl. 3 To the same sauté pan add a couple more drizzles of olive oil, the onion, garlic and bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened. 4 Add in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted.  Add in the artichoke hearts. 5 Stir in the sausage and cook for a few minutes to meld the flavors.  Allow to cool slightly. 6 In a large bowl whisk together the eggs and cream. Add in the bread, sausage and veggie mixture and the Italian blend of cheeses. Stir until well combined. 7 Pour the mixture into a 13x9 baking pan. Sprinkle the grated pecorino over top. Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the base (eggs and cream) has set and the top is golden brown. 8 *cook on the lower half of the oven for first half of time then move to upper half for remaining time*

About

I know, you read "bread pudding" and were thinking wait isn't that a dessert? Bread pudding happens to be one of my favorite desserts actually but I'm also a big fan of the savory versions as well! Its a very basic concept with endless possibilities and is a hearty budget friendly meal! You can get your meat, starch and veg all in one dish!
This Sausage, Spinach & Artichoke Bread Pudding was inspired by the spinach artichoke soufflé at Panera. Every Thursday after dropping Jack off at Pre School I take Ryan to Panera and we share one of the soufflés. So this past Thursday it popped into my head that this same idea would make for a very yummy bread pudding and it is!! While I do use sausage in mine you can certainly leave it out and just add a bit more spinach and artichokes.
Besides the fact that this is delicious, it is really pretty too!!! This dish would definitely be perfect for a weekend brunch or for the holidays! Heck, the colors of this are even festive! This one is a winner!