Easy Ham and Asparagus Bread Pudding
Here is a recipe for savory asparagus bread pudding with smoked ham and cheddar cheese that makes an easy dinner or Easter Brunch!
Table of contents
Why We Love This Asparagus Bread Pudding Recipe
If you loved my Greek Yogurt Banana Maple Bread Pudding but want a savory version, you’re going to love this asparagus bread pudding. It is so easy and is absolutely perfect for brunch. The best part is that you can do a lot of it ahead. I love making it for Easter brunch or on weekends when I feel like making something special. You could also serve it as a dinner alongside a fresh green salad.
Recipe Highlights
- You can make this recipe the night before for an easy morning brunch or breakfast main dish
- Each serving has 19 grams of protein!
- A hands-off way to make eggs for a crowd
- Its a great alternative to traditional veggie quiche
Recipe Video
In this video, you can see me in action and see just how easy it is.
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
- Eggs: You’ll need 4 whole eggs and 3 separated egg whites
- Low-Fat Milk: Use reduced-fat or full-fat milk if desired
- Seasonings: Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, ground black pepper and garlic powder
- Day-old bread: Preferably whole-wheat bread with the crusts removed, if desired
- Smoked Ham Steak: Make sure to buy one without any additives
- Asparagus: Try to buy organic asparagus if possible
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: I’m a big fan of Cabot cheddar. Use any cheddar you’d like, but you could also swap out for something like Swiss, Monterey jack or Parmesan instead.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make This Asparagus Bread Pudding
Step 1: Prepare baking dish
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Alternatively, lightly grease with olive oil or butter.
Step 2: Assemble asparagus and ham bread pudding
Whisk together the whole eggs, egg whites, milk, Dijon, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a large bowl. Add the bread, ham, asparagus and ¾ cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese and stir to combine. Transfer the bread and custard mixture to the prepared dish and cover it with parchment and foil.
Step 3: Bake bread pudding
Bake the asparagus and ham bread pudding until it’s almost set-up in the center and is steaming hot, 32 to 36 minutes. Remove the foil, top with the remaining ½ cup cheese and bake until it’s puffed and golden on the top, 15 to 20 minutes longer.
FAQs and Expert Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure it’s fully cooled before placing it in the refrigerator.
Warm the bread pudding in a 350-degree F oven, covered with aluminum foil, for 10 to 15 minutes until just warmed through. Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through.
I use this same formula to make all kinds of variations on the savory bread pudding theme. Just mix up the add-ins with whatever is in season. I use other cheeses, vegetables, and meat. This will be a recipe you use over and over.
To make this bread pudding ahead, just prepare it through step two a day ahead, and refrigerate it until about an hour and a half before serving.
Yes! Feel free to double this recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch baking dish if you have a crowd to feed.
Additional Asparagus Recipes to Try
At Healthy Seasonal Recipes, we specialize in cooking with fresh veggies and creating weeknight meals. Sign up HERE to get more produce-forward dinner ideas for FREE! If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought! Happy Cooking! ~Katie
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Easy Ham and Asparagus Bread Pudding
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A savory asparagus bread pudding recipe with ham and asparagus perfect for an easy Easter brunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 3 egg whites
- 3/4 cup low-fat milk
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chopped minced thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups cubed day-old bread, preferably whole-wheat, crusts removed if desired (5 1/2 ounces)
- 1 cup diced smoked ham steak
- 1 cup sliced asparagus (1/2 bunch)
- 1 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8 X 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Whisk eggs, egg whites, milk, Dijon, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a large bowl. Add bread, ham, asparagus and ¾ cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese. Stir to combine. Transfer the bread mixture and custard to the prepared dish. Cover with parchment and foil.
- Bake until almost set-up in the center and steaming hot, 32 to 36 minutes. Remove foil, top with the remaining ½ cup cheese and bake until puffed and golden on top, 15 to 20 minutes longer.
Notes
Cooking Tip: I use this same formula to make all kinds of variations on the savory bread pudding theme. I just mix up the add-ins with whatever is in season. I use other cheeses, vegetables, and meat. Also, feel free to double it, and bake it in a 9×13-inch baking dish if you have a crowd to feed. This will be a recipe you use over and over.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 247
- Fat: 12
it really really awesome! and tasty . everybody should test it . i cant wait to make it .
Thanks Dorothy.
Delicious! I love this recipe. I use turkey sausage instead of ham, and Italian seasoning instead of thyme. I’ve made it twice in two weeks!
I’ve yet to try making a bread pudding… but I really have always wanted to. Now I’m wondering why I haven’t. You make it look so easy in the video! Thinking I may have to give this a try for our Easter brunch!
Really? You simply must try it Chris! My husband I and I skipped having the wedding cake at our wedding, and had bread puddings instead. They were sweet ones of course, but still…
Asparagus and ham, delicious recipe!
It is a great combo that I keep returning to. Thanks for coming by 🙂
I always prefer savory bread puddings over sweet ones and this one so got my attention, Katie! Ham and asparagus? What’s not to love! I loved watching the video. It’s always fun to see someone live that you’ve only known online. And…big congrats on getting an agent!!
Thank you and thank you. I agree about watching videos of online friends. I hope to start adding more videos to posts soon. It is too fun!
that is SO exciting re: Lisa Ekus, congrats girrrl!! What a wonderful thing to celebrate 🙂 absolutely love that you added asparagus to the mix here, this recipe looks divine. Lots of incredible stuff happening with you right now, so go get it chica!
Thanks so much Christine. I am pretty excited. 🙂