eat up >> sausage & spinach bread pudding

Oooooh, bread pudding. I pretty much love it in all forms. A sweet version is automatically what you think of and are familiar with. But let me tell you--savory is just as amazing.

We had an Easter Brunch this year instead of the traditional dinner. I immediately knew that this dish would be my contribution. I had made this for dinner a few times with my little family and always thought to myself what a great brunch meal this would make.

And it did.

This particular recipe calls for ground sausage, spinach, onions, and garlic...but please don't let that stop you. The possibilities are virtually endless. I have seen savory bread puddings with cherry tomatoes and mushrooms or ham, broccoli and cheddar... anything you've got in your fridge. That's why they are so fantastic. Stale bread, produce on it's last leg, left over meat from last nights meal...add the base for the pudding with some bread and you've got dinner! Easy-peasy.

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Sausage & Spinach Bread Pudding

Makes 9x13 inch baking dish 1 lb. ground sausage 1/2 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 bunch of spinach 7 lg eggs, lightly beaten 1 loaf french bread or baguette (stale bread is fine) cut into cubes 2 1/2 c. milk (not skim) 1 c. shredded white cheese of your choice 1 >> Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown sausage.  Transfer sausage to bowl, reserving fat in the pan. Cook onion until  translucent. Add spinach. Cook until wilted. Add garlic. Season with  salt and pepper. 2 >> Spread half of the sausage and half of the spinach mix in the  bottom of a 9x13" baking dish. Top with bread. Top bread with remaining sausage and then spinach mix. 3 >> In a large bowl, whisk together milk and eggs. Season with salt  and pepper. Pour into baking dish evenly. Cover and let sit for at least  10 minutes or covered over night in the fridge (yay!). 4 >> Bake at 375 degrees, covered with foil, for 45 minutes. Add cheese to the top and bake uncovered for an additional 6-10 minutes until cheese  is melted, eggs mixture is mostly absorbed and set in the center. ............................................................................................................. Enjoy!!