Cornbread Pudding is a delicious way to use up leftover skillet cornbread! Cornbread cubes are spread in a baking dish, sprinkled with green onions, fresh herbs and cheese, then covered in a mixture of eggs and milk and baked until bubbly and lightly browned on the outside, delicate and custard-like in the center.
Cornbread pudding is delicious any time of year and makes a perfect side dish for a holiday meal. It’s also incredibly versatile! Swap in your favorite cheese; I’m thinking of using smoked mozzarella next. Add bacon and serve it with a side salad for an easy lunch or dinner or top it with a fried egg for a knock-out breakfast. In the summer, add fresh corn cut from the cob for extra sweetness and crunch. You could even serve it on Thanksgiving or Christmas in place of traditional stuffing / dressing, adding fresh sage, roasted chestnuts and sausage.
Delicious Options for Leftover Cornbread
I love to make Cornbread Salad with leftover Skillet Cornbread (My go-to cornbread recipe, made with whole grain cornmeal, sweet corn, and melted butter for all of those crispy edges) or Mexican Cornbread (with jalapeños and cheddar cheese). But it’s always fun to have options and this savory and moist corn casserole, similar to a Southern spoonbread, is irresistible. A riff on the one served at Etta’s restaurant in Seattle – this Cornbread Pudding recipe is just lightened up a bit with a few ingredient twists.
How to Make Cornbread Pudding
Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish (or coat with cooking spray); set aside. Whisk together milk, eggs, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
Step 2: Arrange cubes of leftover cornbread in prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with green onions, fresh herbs and shredded cheese.
Step 3: Pour milk mixture over and let stand 10 minutes before baking.
Step 4: Bake until bubbling and set, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve hot!
Cornbread Pudding Recipe Video
Cornbread Pudding
Ingredients
- 10 ounces leftover Skillet Cornbread or other leftover cornbread, ~3 1/2 cups
- butter for greasing baking dish
- 2 cups whole milk (see recipe note)
- 4 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 green onions finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried
- 3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, salt and pepper until smooth.
- Cut leftover cornbread into 1-inch cubes and arrange in a single layer in the bottom of prepared baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with green onions, parsley, rosemary, thyme and cheese. Pour milk mixture evenly over and let stand 10 minutes to soak into cornbread.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and set. Serve hot.
Notes
- For an even more decadent version, substitute half and half or heavy cream for some of the milk.
I was just about to throw my ‘just baked’ dry crumbly cornbread
away and then found your recipe. You saved the day, this recipe
is delicious! Thank you, I will make it often now.
I love to hear this, Michele! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know!
Last night I tried a new cornbread recipe (from another site) that turned out to be pretty dry and too savory for us. So this morning I searched for a recipe to use up old cornbread and came across Marissa’s recipe for cornbread pudding. It turned out well, but I made some adjustments… First, I increased the eggs to 5, eliminated the rosemary and thyme, and added about 2 t of diced canned jalepanos (that were languishing in the fridge) and a dash of onion powder. Fortunately, I checked on the casserole at the 15 minute mark and it was done — if I had left it in another 15+ minutes it would have been bone dry and ruined. 425 degrees seems too high and/or the time is too long, at least in our dry climate in Colorado. Next time I’ll try 400 degrees (or 375?) and check it at 14 minutes, just to be safe. Marissa, I wonder if you should note that the cornbread must be savory in case others start — as I did — with cornbread that was not from your recipe. A sweet cornbread definitely would not be good. Thank you for a good recipe!
I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe and adjusted it to your tastes and climate, CH. I typically make this with my skillet cornbread, which is savory, but it works with sweet cornbread as well. Similar to other sweet/savory or sweet/herbaceous foods like honey glazed ham or turkey or rosemary and/or thyme in scones and sugar cookies that can be quite delicious.
I’m loving all of your comforting brunch-y dishes, Marissa. This one is calling to me. I love skillet cornbread and this recipes is so great for those delicious pieces with “crust.” Yum! ~Valentina
Yes, I love the crispy parts too! Thank you, Valentina.
Cornbread, corn pudding, corn casserole….I love them all! And your version looks outstanding!
Thanks so much, Liz!
This cornbread pudding sounds amazing! (And your idea of smoked mozzarella is making me crave this recipe like you wouldn’t believe.) We make a cornbread stuffing recipe for Thanksgiving each year. There are never any leftovers of that one, but I think I could make a batch of skillet cornbread just for the sole purpose of making this recipe. It sounds amazing!
Thank you! I’ve done the very same thing, David! It’s worth making a batch just to make this with the leftovers.
Had some stale cornbread and googled “what to do with stale cornbread” and this recipe popped up. Wow! It was so yummy that I can imagine making cornbread and letting it stale a bit just to make this recipe again. Thank you! I will definitely be making this again…and again!
That’s wonderful to hear, Sue! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
Wonderful recipe. Trying to use up some things so made a few additions: a couple handfuls of fresh, chopped spinach, 1 ear of cut, cooked corn, several slices cooked chopped bacon, & some chopped ham. Also, I had 12 oz of cornbread so I added 2 more eggs and more milk so it would not be dry. Used fresh herbs and added more cheese. This was a big hit! Had it for dinner with fresh grapes and a sliced fresh pear. Hubby loved it. Luckily we have leftovers! Never used cornbread like this before. I’ll be making it just so I can make this.
So glad you enjoyed this, Linda and that you made it your own!! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
Absolutely Delicious. I made this tonight and it was a Big Hit in my house. I will be incorporating this dish into our sides rotation. The only thing I did different was, I toasted my broken up cornbread pieces on a sheet pan In the oven to make it extra crispy so when I poured the wet ingredients it did not become too mushy. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed it, Donna! Toasting the cornbread is a great way to add some extra texture!
This is a keeper recipe. Easy to remember too.
I made corn muffins with chives cheddar and ham the other day. They are delicious when they are fresh but the next day not so much. I was searching for what to do with the leftovers and your recipe came up. I did not ad any of the fresh herbs just the cheese, milk and eggs. it came out prefect i served it with Colorado green chili over the pudding. My family loved it!!
Thank you.
I love to hear this, Anna! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
This looks delicious! I’d love to try it for our Easter breakfast. Can you make it the night before then heat it up in the morning? If so, what would you recommend for reheating instructions?
Thanks!
Hi Alyssa! I haven’t made it a day in advance, but I think that would work just fine. I would reheat it, covered in foil, in a 375˚F oven for 30-35 minutes until heated through. Hope you have a wonderful Easter!
Great, will do, thank you! I hope you have a wonderful Easter as well!
I’ve made bread pudding so many times and have never thought to substitute corn bread. Awesome idea Marissa. This looks totally delicious!
Thanks so much, Mary Ann! It’s a fun twist on your standard savory bread pudding. 🙂
I had to send this to my friend the second I saw this recipe – she was complaining the other day that she LOVES cornbread but she’s the only in her house that eats it! She’ll love this way to use the leftovers!! Genius!
That’s perfect, Katherine! Thank you.
I think this cornbread pudding would be a perfect side for Easter. Looks delicious!
Thank you so much, Kevin!
Wow this looks so good! Pure comfort here. And I love how cornbread gets a new lease on life with this 😀
Yes! Well said, Lorraine. 🙂
I can count the number of times I’ve eaten cornbread in my life on one hand, but I’ve always loved every mouthful.
What a unique idea to turn leftovers into this delicious dish.
The only problem is, I don’t think I’d have any leftovers!
Wait, what!? You’ve only had cornbread a few times? 😉 I know what you mean about leftovers – sometimes I make it just for the leftovers!
I’ve never even thought of making a savory bread pudding, and this truly looks and sounds amazing, Marissa! Also, smoked mozzarella would be a nice touch.
So good, Ben! I hope you give it a try. 🙂
I believe I’ve already told you my love of cornbread, so I am absolutely drooling over this pudding!! I’ve had bread pudding many times, and made with many different breads, but never cornbread! I’ve been missing out! I definitely need this in my life! Cheers, doll!
Sweet! I know you’ll give it your own little twist so I’m staying tuned.. 🙂
Love cornbread and often make it, portion it up and vacuum seal is for a quick side to soup or chili! Love how you repurposed it here for bread pudding, but I would honestly make a batch just to make this! Yum!!!
I do the same thing – it freezes perfectly! I’d love to hear what you think if you give this a try! xoxo
Oh, I love cornbread! As a southern boy, cornbread practically runs in my veins. This cornbread pudding recipe totally reminds me of something similar that my mom used to make when I was younger. I haven’t had that in ages, and I’m craving it now. Thanks for sharing and reminding me about the wonders of cornbread pudding!!
I actually thought of you writing this post and thought, “I bet David and Laura love cornbread – they’d love this too!” I love it that your mom made it, pure nostalgia.
This is a dangerous recipe for me to have on hand. I have such a deep love of all things corn – cornbread, corn pudding, etc – that I literally want to eat my weight in them. Something about that combo of sweet and earthy. Luckily I’m small I guess! This looks absolutely wonderful.
I’m the same way, Jessie! Can’t. Get. Enough! 🙂
Oooh I love your idea of using smoked mozzarella in here. LOVE that stuff! I’m totally trying that!
awesome! Thanks, Kelsie! xoxo
Hi Marissa. I could happily make a meal out of this. Although I might have to throw in a little bacon 🙂
I love how you think, Dorothy! You can really never go wrong with adding bacon… 🙂