Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Name: Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2- to 2-inch cubes; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided; 8 thick-cut bacon slices; 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion; 1 (5-oz.) pkg. baby spinach; 1 (8-oz.) French bread loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes; 6 large eggs; 2 1/2 cups half-and-half; 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)

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Cubes of French bread are baked in a rich Parmesan custard with smoky bacon, spinach, and chunks of roasted sweet potatoes. Serve this comforting casserole with a green salad for dinner or as a company-worthy brunch. One of the South's prized crops, sweet potatoes have dozens of varieties from white to deep orange. Look for smooth, unblemished medium-size potatoes. Store in a cool, dark place, but do not refrigerate as that will cause them to harden in the center. To prevent the flesh from browning, rinse cut sweet potatoes in cold water before cooking.

By Southern Living Editors

Published on July 10, 2018

Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding — Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Total Time:

1 hrs 30 mins

Yield:

Serves 8 (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2- to 2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
8 thick-cut bacon slices
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1 (5-oz.) pkg. baby spinach
1 (8-oz.) French bread loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes
6 large eggs
2 1/2 cups half-and-half
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss together sweet potatoes, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until sweet potatoes are just tender, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Meanwhile, cook bacon, in batches, in a large skillet over medium until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon.
Remove potatoes from oven, and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
Cook onion in hot drippings over medium until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add spinach, and cook until spinach begins to wilt, about 1 minute. Add bread cubes and crumbled bacon to spinach mixture, stirring to completely incorporate.
Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, Parmesan, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Stir in bread cube mixture, stirring gently to completely incorporate. Gently stir in roasted potatoes. Lightly coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray; spoon mixture into prepared dish.
Bake at 350°F until golden brown and set in the middle, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.