Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing: 6 Amazing Benefits

The Taste of Home, Faster Than Ever

There is something truly magical about the aroma of stuffing wafting from the kitchen. It brings memories of cozy gatherings, celebratory feasts, and the comforting embrace of home. But, traditional stuffing recipes can feel like an all-day job, daunting even the most seasoned home cooks. What if you could get all that amazing flavor, that main taste of tradition, in just 30 minutes? Prepare to have your stuffing game changed, because today, we are going into the delightful world of Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing – a recipe that promises all the warmth, flavor, and memories without the long preparation. Get ready to impress your family and friends (and your taste buds!) with this unbelievably simple, yet incredibly delicious, dish.

Why Make This Recipe

This Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing is designed for speed. You can make a delicious side dish in under an hour. Do not let “quick” fool you – this stuffing is full of rich, savory flavors that will taste like it cooked all day. While a holiday favorite, this stuffing is good enough for Sunday dinners, weeknight meals, or whenever you want that comforting taste. This recipe is a great base for all your favorite additions and changes. Everyone loves good stuffing, and this recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone.

How to Make Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing

Making Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing is simple. First, you prepare your bread by cubing it. Then, you chop your onions, celery, and garlic. Next, you cook the vegetables in butter until soft. Add herbs and spices. Combine the cooked vegetables with your bread cubes. Gradually add broth until the mixture is moist but not wet. If using an egg, mix it in. Finally, transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake until golden and crispy. Let it rest before serving.

Ingredients of Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing

• Bread: 8 cups stale bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (sourdough, French bread, or ciabatta work well. You can use good quality sandwich bread, but dry it out first by leaving it out for a few hours or toasting lightly.)
• Aromatics: 1 large yellow onion, diced; 2 stalks celery, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Broth: 1.5 – 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Fats: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Herbs & Spices: 1 tablespoon dried sage; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• Optional: 1 large egg, lightly beaten (for binding and texture)

Directions of Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing

Preparation is Key

1. Prepare Your Bread: Cut your stale bread into 1/2-inch cubes. If your bread is not stale, you can lightly toast it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes until dry but not colored.
2. Chop Your Aromatics: Dice the onion and celery finely. Mince the garlic.

Culinary Magic: Combining Flavors

1. Sauté the aromatics: Melt the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until they are soft and smelling good. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Add Herbs and Spices: Stir in the dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper with the cooked vegetables. Cook for 1 minute more to release their flavors.
3. Combine Wet and Dry: Transfer the sautéed vegetable mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the bread cubes and chopped fresh parsley. Gently toss everything together until the bread is coated.
4. Gradually Add Broth: Slowly pour in 1.5 cups of the broth, tossing gently as you go. You want the bread cubes to be moist but not soggy. Add more broth, a little at a time, if the mixture seems too dry.
5. Optional Egg Integration: If you are using it, gently fold in the lightly beaten egg. This helps the stuffing bind together.

Bake to Perfection

1. Transfer to Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the stuffing mixture evenly into the dish.
2. Baking Instructions: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. If you prefer a moister stuffing, you can cover it with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking, then remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes to crisp the top.
3. Resting Period: Let the stuffing rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to serve.

How to Serve Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing

This stuffing is great with many meals. Serve it with roasted chicken, or use it as a hearty side for lunch with poached eggs and breakfast sausages. It also makes a comforting side dish for weeknight meals like baked fish. You can even use this stuffing to fill bell peppers for a tasty meal.

How to Store Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing

Store leftover Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Tips to Make Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing

• Stale Bread is Best: Use slightly stale bread. It absorbs the liquid better and keeps its shape, preventing soggy stuffing. If your bread is fresh, cube it and leave it out overnight, or bake it in a low oven for a short time to dry it.
• Do Not Overcrowd: Make sure your baking dish is not too full. This helps the stuffing bake evenly and get crispy on top.
• Taste and Adjust: Taste the mixture before baking and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
• Moisture Control: Add broth slowly. You want the stuffing moist, not wet. The exact amount of broth can change based on your bread type.

Variation

• Sausage & Apple: Brown 1/2 pound of ground turkey sausage before sautéing the aromatics. Add 1 diced apple along with the celery and onion.
• Mushroom & Cranberry: Sauté 1 cup sliced mushrooms with the onion and celery. Stir in 1/2 cup dried cranberries with the bread cubes.
• Cornbread Stuffing: Use stale cornbread cubes instead of traditional bread.
• Nutty Crunch: Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture.
• Aromatic Boost: Add 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary or marjoram, chopped, along with the other herbs.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make this **Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing** ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare much of this stuffing in advance! You can chop your onions, celery, and garlic and cube your bread the day before. You can even mix all the ingredients (except for the broth) and store it in the fridge. When you are ready to bake, add the broth and follow the baking instructions.

Q2: What kind of bread is best for **Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing**?

The best bread for this Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing is a slightly stale, sturdy bread like sourdough, French bread, or ciabatta. Stale bread takes in the liquid better without becoming soft. You can also use good quality sandwich bread, just make sure to dry it out first.

Q3: How do I store and reheat leftover **Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing**?

Store any leftover Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm it in the microwave, or for a crispier texture, cover it loosely with foil and reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. Add a splash of broth if it seems dry.

Hearty Herb Quick 30-Minute Homemade Stuffing

This quick and flavorful homemade stuffing combines stale sourdough with sautéed aromatics, herbs, and broth, then baked until golden brown and crispy. It’s perfect as a hearty side dish for any meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

• Skillet
• Large Mixing Bowl
• 9x13 inch Baking Dish
• Knife
• Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Spatula

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 8 cups sourdough bread stale, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 large yellow onion diced
• 2 stalks celery diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 tablespoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large egg lightly beaten

Instructions

 

Preparation Steps

• Cut stale sourdough bread into 1/2-inch cubes; if not stale, lightly toast until dry.
• Finely dice the yellow onion and celery, then mince the garlic.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté diced onion and celery for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Stir in dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper, cooking for another minute to release their flavors.
• Transfer the sautéed vegetable mixture to a large mixing bowl, then add the bread cubes and chopped fresh parsley and gently toss.
• Slowly pour in 1.5 cups of chicken broth, gently tossing until the bread is moist but not soggy.
• Optionally, gently fold in the lightly beaten egg.
• Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread the stuffing evenly into the dish.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on top.
• Let the stuffing rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider toasting the bread cubes with a drizzle of olive oil before adding them to the mixture. Adjust the amount of chicken broth to your preferred level of moisture; you want it moist but not soggy.