If there’s one dish that smells like pure nostalgia, it’s stuffing fresh out of the oven.
Every Thanksgiving, the moment I open the oven door and that buttery, herby aroma fills the kitchen, I’m instantly transported to my grandmother’s cozy dining room, apron on, turkey resting, cousins laughing in the background.
Stuffing isn’t just a side dish; it’s the heartbeat of a holiday meal. But I’ll admit, I don’t wait for November to make it anymore.
A pan of golden, savory stuffing can transform an ordinary Sunday chicken dinner into something worth celebrating.
This recipe is everything I love about old-fashioned stuffing: cubes of crusty bread toasted just right, softened onions and celery for that signature flavor base, plenty of butter, and a rich broth that keeps every bite moist without being soggy.
It’s the kind of dish that makes the house smell incredible and brings people into the kitchen “just to taste.”
Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, or just because, this foolproof recipe will remind you why homemade stuffing never goes out of style.
Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Prep the Bread: Spread the bread cubes on two baking sheets and bake at 300°F for 20–25 minutes until lightly crisp and dry. Cool completely.
- Cook the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery. Cook for 8–10 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring often. Add garlic, sage, thyme, and parsley; cook another minute until fragrant.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine toasted bread cubes and the butter-vegetable mixture. Pour in about 2 cups of broth, tossing gently until evenly moistened. The mixture should feel damp but not soggy.
- Add Eggs and Seasoning: Stir in the beaten eggs, salt, and pepper. If the mixture seems dry, add a bit more broth, a few tablespoons at a time.
- Bake: Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Serve Warm: Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. The flavor deepens as it sits, so don’t rush this step.
About the Recipe
This easy stuffing recipe combines the best of both worlds: classic flavor and simple, reliable steps. You’ll start with hearty cubes of day-old bread, French or sourdough work beautifully.
Then we build layers of flavor with onions, celery, and fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley, all sautéed in butter until fragrant.
The secret is in the broth ratio: just enough to keep the stuffing moist and tender, but not so much that it turns mushy.
It serves 6–8 people generously, making it perfect for a holiday spread or a comforting weeknight meal alongside roasted chicken or pork chops.
You can bake it in a casserole dish for a crisp top, or stuff it inside the turkey if you love that traditional flavor.
This stuffing reheats beautifully, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself sneaking bites cold from the fridge the next day, it’s that good.
Ingredients
- 10 cups day-old bread, cut into ¾-inch cubes (French or sourdough preferred)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1½ cups celery, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2½ cups chicken or vegetable broth (plus more as needed)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 cup cooked sausage or bacon crumbles
- ½ cup chopped apples or dried cranberries for sweetness
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
Instructions
- Prep the Bread:
Spread the bread cubes on two baking sheets and bake at 300°F for 20–25 minutes until lightly crisp and dry. This helps them absorb the broth without turning mushy. Cool completely. - Cook the Vegetables:
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery. Cook for 8–10 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring often. Add garlic, sage, thyme, and parsley; cook another minute until fragrant. - Combine the Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine toasted bread cubes and the butter-vegetable mixture. Pour in about 2 cups of broth, tossing gently until evenly moistened. The mixture should feel damp but not soggy. - Add Eggs and Seasoning:
Stir in the beaten eggs, salt, and pepper. If the mixture seems dry, add a bit more broth, a few tablespoons at a time. - Bake:
Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp. - Serve Warm:
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. The flavor deepens as it sits, so don’t rush this step.
Tips for Success
The best stuffing starts with the bread. Day-old bread works perfectly because it’s dry enough to soak up broth without falling apart.
If you only have fresh bread, toast it in the oven as directed—this step makes all the difference in achieving the perfect texture.
Another tip: don’t drown your stuffing. Add broth gradually while mixing, and stop when the cubes feel evenly moistened but not soggy.
The eggs will help bind everything together and give it that perfect “scoopable” texture once baked.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of herbs. Fresh sage and thyme make the flavor pop, but if you only have dried herbs, use them sparingly, dried herbs are more concentrated.
Taste as you go; a little salt and butter can rescue almost any stuffing. And if you love a crispy top, uncover the pan for the final 20 minutes to let it brown beautifully.
What Goes Well With It
This easy stuffing recipe pairs perfectly with roasted meats, turkey, chicken, or even pork loin.
For a classic holiday table, serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and a drizzle of homemade gravy.
The buttery herbs in the stuffing complement savory dishes beautifully, adding warmth and texture to every bite.
On non-holiday nights, I love serving a scoop of stuffing with roasted vegetables and a simple salad. It turns humble ingredients into a cozy, complete meal.
And here’s a secret: leftover stuffing reheated in a skillet with a fried egg on top is heavenly for breakfast. The crisp edges and soft interior are comfort in every bite.
Nutrition & Health Benefits
While stuffing is comfort food at heart, it’s also made from real, simple ingredients. Bread provides satisfying carbohydrates for energy, while the celery and onions add fiber and natural antioxidants.
The herbs, especially sage and thyme, are rich in essential oils that have calming and digestive properties, which might explain why this dish feels so comforting.
If you want to lighten things up, use whole-grain bread for extra fiber or reduce the butter slightly and add more broth.
You can also make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. No matter how you adapt it, this best stuffing recipe nourishes more than just the body, it feeds the soul.
How to Store & Reheat
Stuffing stores beautifully, which makes it a lifesaver during busy holidays. Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To reheat, sprinkle with a few tablespoons of broth to keep it moist, then warm in a 350°F oven for about 15–20 minutes. For smaller portions, the microwave works just fine, heat in 30-second bursts, stirring occasionally.
If you want to make it ahead, assemble the stuffing a day before and refrigerate it unbaked. Bring to room temperature before baking as directed.
You can also freeze cooked stuffing in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven until warmed through. It’s a great make-ahead option for meal prep or family gatherings.
Closing Personal Touch
Every family has their “signature” stuffing, and this one has become ours. My kids call it “Mom’s magic bread,” and honestly, that might be the best compliment I’ve ever received in the kitchen.
I love watching everyone gather around the table, each person reaching for just one more spoonful. The aroma alone feels like a warm hug.
What I love most is how versatile this recipe is, it’s simple enough for a weeknight and special enough for Thanksgiving.
Whether you bake it for a big holiday crowd or a cozy dinner for two, it brings that same sense of comfort and connection every time.
Give it a try, make it your own, and let your home fill with the buttery, herby scent of pure happiness.
There’s nothing quite like the first bite of warm stuffing, soft in the center, crisp on the edges, and full of love.
