Sausage, Apple and Cheddar Cheese Bread Pudding

This dish can be served as a side dish like stuffing, or as a main dish served with a salad. 

• ¾ lb sweet Italian sausage

• 3 cups Granny Smith apples seeded, peeled and diced

• 1 onion diced

• 2 cups milk

• 4 eggs

• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated

• ¼ cup parsley chopped

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon pepper

• 9 cups day old sourdough bread crusts removed and cut into cubes

Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up as it browns. Add onions and apples. Cook until onions are translucent and apples are lightly browned. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

In a large bowl whisk together milk, eggs, ½ cup cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir in sausage mixture. Add bread and gently toss to combine. Let stand 10 minutes so the bread can absorb the liquid.

Spoon mixture into a greased 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes or until pudding is set and lightly browned.

Serves 6 as a main dish or 10 to 12 as a side dish.