Hi there,
When I was a young mother, Thanksgiving dinner was always prepared by me. The guest list could number anywhere from 12 to 20 people. The Italian American side of the family always wanted a pasta course, but that meant limiting the traditional side dishes that would be served with Turkey.
As my children got older and found their voice at the table, they vehemently expressed their displeasure at being deprived of their favorite side dishes. And the one they missed the most was the traditional turkey “stuffing.”
These days our guest list is a lot smaller, but the demand for the “stuffing” hasn’t changed. As a follow-up to Ronit Penso’s smaller, non-traditional menu for Thanksgiving, I offer up this addition to that menu. The individual servings will give those gathered around the table a small portion of traditional ” stuffing.”
Ingredients
- 2 bags of Pepperidge Farm’s Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing
- 1 lb. Jimmy Dean’s breakfast sausage with sage
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) salted butter
- 2 cups diced onion (1 large onion)
- 1 cup diced celery (about 3 stalks)
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced or crushed
- 1 crisp apple, diced
- 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 2 eggs
- 2 ½-3 cups chicken stock
- 1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
- 2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Preparation
- Preheat oven temperature to 350 degrees.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sauté sausage until browned.
- Using a large spoon or meat chopper, break up the sausage into crumbles.
- Remove the sausage and add it to the mixing bowl with the cubes.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in the same skillet and sauté the onion, celery, red pepper, apple, and garlic until softened about 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with a layer of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Add the softened veggies to the mixing bowl with the cubes and sausage.
- Pour into the mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with 2 cups of broth. Add the egg and broth mixture to the bowl.
- Fold in the pecans, dried cranberries, parsley, sage, and thyme. Add another layer of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
- The bread mixture should be moist all the way through but not wringing wet. Add more stock as necessary to reach the right consistency (between 2-3 cups).
- Working with a heaping handful at a time, pack and shape the stuffing mixture into a firm ball, then press it into a 12-cup non-stick muffin tin that has been liberally sprayed with cooking oil. Make sure the mixture is firmly packed.
- Continue until you’ve run out of the mixture.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until the tops of the muffins are crispy and browned.
COOKS NOTE: This recipe will make 24 muffins. If you have a small group, it can easily be halved. Or alternatively, freeze some of the muffins for a future Roast Chicken Sunday Dinner.
34 responses to “SAVORY MUFFINS – nothin says lovin like something from the oven”
Although we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here, these muffins sound delicious enough for any time of year.
Thanks Viv. A Laganella Family favorite. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks Viv, that is my thought too. Have a wonderful week.
It’s a smart idea to make the stuffings in muffin tins, all the more crispy top for everyone!
You got it, Dorothy! Sending you hugs.
Thanksgiving celebration is the tradition here, but these muffins are more than just for the holidays…I think they would make an excellent breakfast or mid-day pick-me-up!
I am right there with you Angie. And with all the wonderful breads you make, you could really get creative with your leftover bread items.
Oh my, little stuffing muffins!! What a great idea and perfect for enjoying with leftovers. 😋
Thanks Terrie. And aren’t the leftovers the best part of the Thanksgiving meal?
The very best!
A wonderful idea. Especially if you don’t make a whole turkey to stuff.
Also, a little bit of stuffing is good with just about anything, right? Have a wonderful week Darlene.
Love all the ingredients and seasonings you’ve used in these tasty muffins.
Stuffing is indeed one side dish that is a must!
Thanks Ronit. I piggy backed on your post with trepedation since you are such a wonderful chef.
What a great idea! I’ll have to try this one:)
Thanks so much. Let me know how you make out my friend. Have a wonderful week.
The stuffing recipe–with Pepperidge Farm–excellent!
You know me Jacqui, I am always open to a short cut. Have a wonderful week.
Bern, I love this idea! Such a great way to exercise portion control with hungry teenage boys who will gobble (no pun intended) up all the stuffing if left unsupervised. And it makes it easier to thaw frozen leftovers.
Sausage stuffing is a tradition in my family as well, although our recipe is not as fancy as this one. Time to up my game!
As always, Bern, thank you for sharing your family traditions with us.
Thanks so much Elizabeth. Have a wonderful week. Are you cooking this Thanksgiving?
An absolutely genius idea, Bernadette! Stuffing was always the favorite at my Mom’s and it still is now! What a great way to enjoy stuffing. . . Thank you 🙂
Thanks so much. I think stuffing is everyone’s favorite. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks so much. It is a great way to have a little taste of stuffing. Have a wonderful week.
i do love a savoury muffin. I used to make them with cheese and bacon and herbs. Sadly we no longer eat bacon 🙁 but anyway these sound great.
Thanks Sherry. Cheese and herbs alone sound mouth watering.
What a great idea of using the stuffing 😋 I have no doubt everyone loves them 😉
I grew up eating Pepperidge Farm stuffing, my mother would always add celery, onions and pecans, and to this day, it is a Thanksgiving must! What a nice idea to turn it into muffins!
Great idea stuffing is my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner!
This is such a great idea — I just may try this with our Christmas Dinner. 😀
Let me know if you do Donna. Thanks for stopping by.
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Oh my goodness, what a what surprise. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!! Have a great week.
My pleasure