Stuffing is one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving dinner. My mom makes it every year just like this and this is my favorite boxed stuffing recipe! It's so easy to doctor up boxed stuffing, and here's how.
You'll love this upgraded boxed stuffing recipe
It's easy to make. This upgraded boxed stuffing recipe is so easy to make, and everyone will love this Thanksgiving recipe.
It's flavorful. With a few simple ingredients, this stuffing comes together in no time, and you barely have to add anything to really amplify the flavor!
Ingredients
With just a few extra ingredients, you can take boxed stuffing and completely upgrade it! Everyone will love this stuffing, and it's the perfect side dish for the holiday season.
Boxed Stuffing. You can use whatever boxed stuffing you prefer! Stove Top stuffing mix is a very well-known one, you can use traditional or cornbread stuffing, too!
Italian Sausage. I love adding crumbled Italian sausage to boxed stovetop stuffing. It's one of the best ways to add flavor to your stuffing mixture.
Butter. Boxed stuffing will call for butter, and typically people use unsalted butter in recipes. However, I always use salted butter in this boxed stuffing recipe!
Garlic. Always, always, always add fresh garlic to your boxed stuffing! I recommend using 2-3 cloves of minced garlic.
Fresh Thyme + Rosemary. Boxed stuffing is flavorful, but adding extra fresh herbs is one of my favorite ways to really elevate the flavor and make boxed stuffing taste homemade.
Onion. Onion is typically called for in any boxed stuffing recipe, and I use the recommended amount of onion, which is about half a sweet onion!
Celery. Like onion, celery is typically used in any boxed stuffing recipe.
Chicken Broth. Boxed stuffing typically calls for water, but the easiest way to add so much flavor to this boxed stuffing recipe is by using chicken stock!
How to make this upgraded boxed stuffing
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, crumble and brown your Italian sausage over medium heat.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and add in 4 tablespoon of butter, 2-3 cloves of garlic, 1 cup of onion, and 1 cup of celery.
- Saute your sausage, butter, garlic, onion, and celery until the onions are translucent and fragrant. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
- Add 2.5 cups of chicken stock and bring it to a boil.
- Once the chicken stock is boiling, remove from heat and pour in your 12 oz. bag, or box, of stuffing mix.
- Cover for 5 minutes.
- Gently mix well and fluff with a fork.
- Serve immediately, or set aside to reheat for dinner.
How to reheat stuffing
You very well could find yourself bringing stuffing to Thanksgiving and having to reheat it before setting it on the holiday table! Here are the different ways you can reheat this boxed stuffing recipe.
Reheating stuffing in the oven
Add an additional ¼ cup of broth to your stuffing and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350F until heated all the way through, which will take roughly 30-40 minutes. If you want a bit of a crunch, you can remove the aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
Reheating stuffing in the microwave
To reheat stuffing in the microwave, cover it with a damp paper towel, and microwave in 1 minute increments until heated through. Be sure to stir in between every minute increment.
Other ways to make boxed stuffing taste better
There are absolutely other ways you can upgrade boxed stuffing, here are some other options!
- Add a tablespoon of poultry seasoning
- Fresh sage
- Fresh apples, I love the sweet apple flavor and the bit of crunch is such a great addition for this delicious stuffing.
- Brown butter. If you take the bit of time and brown butter, it adds a little sweetness to the stuffing.
Substitutions and variations
Italian Sausage. If you want to sub out Italian sausage, you can use beyond sausage for the vegetarian option, or omit the Italian sausage all together.
Chicken Broth. You are a vegetarian, feel free to use vegetable broth for that added flavor!
FAQs
What to add to stuffing from a box?
You can add Italian sausage, fresh herbs, or chicken stock to a store-bought box of stuffing.
Pin it for later!
Want more Thanksgiving sides?
- Air Fryer Crispy Garlic Bread
- Roasted Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes
Upgraded Boxed Stuffing Recipe
Stuffing is one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving dinner. My mom makes it every year just like this and this is my favorite boxed stuffing recipe! It's so easy to doctor up boxed stuffing, and here's how.
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz bag or box of stuffing
- 1 cup celery, about 6 stalks
- 1 cu onion, about half an onion
- 2 Italian sausage links, casing removed and crumbled
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 2.5 cups chicken stock
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, crumble and brown your Italian sausage over medium heat.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and add in 4 tablespoon of butter, 2-3 cloves of garlic, 1 cup of onion, and 1 cup of celery.
- Saute your sausage, butter, garlic, onion, and celery until the onions are translucent and fragrant. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
- Add 2.5 cups of chicken stock and bring it to a boil.
- Once the chicken stock is boiling, remove from heat and pour in your 12 oz. bag, or box, of stuffing mix.
- Cover for 5 minutes.
- Gently mix well and fluff with a fork.
- Serve immediately, or set aside to reheat for dinner
Notes
How to reheat stuffing
You very well could find yourself bringing stuffing to Thanksgiving and having to reheat it before setting it on the holiday table! Here are the different ways you can reheat this boxed stuffing recipe.
Reheating stuffing in the oven
Add an additional ¼ cup of broth to your stuffing and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350F until heated all the way through, which will take roughly 30-40 minutes. If you want a bit of a crunch, you can remove the aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
Reheating stuffing in the microwave
To reheat stuffing in the microwave, cover it with a damp paper towel, and microwave in 1 minute increments until heated through. Be sure to stir in between every minute increment.
Other ways to make boxed stuffing taste better
There are absolutely other ways you can upgrade boxed stuffing, here are some other options!
- Add a tablespoon of poultry seasoning
- Fresh sage
- Fresh apples, I love the sweet apple flavor and the bit of crunch is such a great addition for this delicious stuffing.
- Brown butter. If you take the bit of time and brown butter, it adds a little sweetness to the stuffing.
Substitutions and variations
Italian Sausage. If you want to sub out Italian sausage, you can use beyond sausage for the vegetarian option, or omit the Italian sausage all together.
Chicken Broth. You are vegetarian, feel free to use vegetable broth for that added flavor!
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