Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding

A rich, savory bread pudding layered with earthy mushrooms, tender leeks, custardy goodness, and enough substance to stand proudly beside a turkey.

From One Dame to Another

This recipe comes to the Dames’ table by way of Lori Burns, who took inspiration from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa herself — and then did what good home cooks have always done: adapted it, tweaked it, and made it her own.

Lori doesn’t just cook a dish; she composes a table. Her version of this savory bread pudding anchors a generous winter meal — the kind that invites people to linger, refill their glasses, and loosen their expectations along with their belts.

Consider this less a recipe and more a blueprint for togetherness. This is comfort food with posture.

Prep Time

30-40 Min

BAKE TIME

40-45 Min | REST: 10 Min

Total Time

1 Hour 20 Min

Servings

8

Ingredients

  • 1 pound crusty bread (country loaf or sourdough), cut into 1-inch cubes
    (about 8–10 cups; day-old preferred)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned well and sliced
  • 1½ pounds mushrooms, sliced
    (cremini work beautifully; a mix adds depth)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2½ cups whole milk or half-and-half
    (use half-and-half for a richer, celebration-ready version)
  • 1½ cups grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese
    (or a combination)

Optional Enhancements (Very Ina, Very Forgiving)

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for finish)
  • A pinch of nutmeg in the custard
  • A small splash of dry white wine or sherry when sautéing mushrooms

 

Preparation

How It Comes Together

  1. Coat the bottom and sides of the 9×13-inch dish with butter from the recipe. This prevents sticking and adds flavor, especially around the edges where everyone secretly hopes for a little extra crispness.
  2. In a saucepan, sauté with intention. Leeks: Cook gently in the butter and olive oil for 8–10 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until they’re soft, silky, and just beginning to sweeten. You’re not browning here — you’re coaxing. Mushrooms: Add the mushrooms and thyme, raise the heat slightly to medium, and cook for 10–12 minutes more. The mushrooms will first release their liquid, then that liquid will cook off, and finally the mixture will deepen in color and flavor.
  3. Build the base.
    Layer bread cubes in a buttered baking dish. Spoon the leek-mushroom mixture over the top and scatter with cheese.
  4. Pour and pause.
    Whisk eggs with milk or cream, season well, and pour over the bread mixture. Press gently so everything gets acquainted.
  5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes.

You’re looking for:

  • A puffed, lightly set center (a knife inserted should come out mostly clean)
  • A deeply golden top with crisp edges
  • No visible liquid when you gently shake the pan

Helpful Dame tip:
If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the last 10 minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving — the custard will finish setting and slice beautifully.

 How Lori Serves It (The Wintry Feast)

This savory bread pudding pairs beautifully with:

  • Spatchcock turkey, roasted over sliced onions, lemons, and halved heads of garlic
  • Root vegetables, roasted separately at 425°F until caramelized and tender
  • A green salad, lightly tossed with a bright orange vinaigrette to cut through the richness

The result?
A winter table that feels abundant, balanced, and quietly impressive.

Advanced Baker Tip (Dame Edition)

This is a dish that wants to be made ahead. Assemble earlier in the day, refrigerate, and bake when guests arrive. It frees you to enjoy the conversation — which, after all, is the point.

 

Tea & Trivia

Not all battles in history were fought with raised voices. Many influential women learned to reshape tense moments by elevating the conversation instead.

Women like Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, who addressed mixed-race audiences in 1866 with calm resolve, and Frances Willard, known for listening fully before responding, understood something timeless: you don’t have to match someone’s volume to meet their argument. Their steady voices proved more enduring than shouted demands — a lesson that still travels well from history into everyday conversation.

TEA PAIRING:  During the suffrage era, women often gathered over brisk Ceylon black tea — prized for its clarity and steadiness. A sturdy tea for sturdy women.