Hosting holidays can feel like a beautiful, chaotic symphony, right? You want all those comforting, traditional flavors, but sometimes the sheer number of dishes feels overwhelming. That’s exactly why I fell in love with these 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss). I still vividly remember my first Thanksgiving as a host. My tiny apartment felt like a whirlwind, and the stuffing recipe I’d chosen seemed way too complicated. Just when I thought I’d have to serve store-bought, a friend swooped in with this incredibly simple, yet delicious, stuffing. It was a game-changer! It reminded me that true comfort food doesn’t need a mile-long ingredient list. As Michael Davis, MS, RD, Senior Meal Planning Specialist, I believe in making delicious meals accessible for everyone, and this recipe is pure proof! Check out more about our philosophy on simplifying meals.
Why You’ll Love These 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss)
There are so many reasons to adore this super simple stuffing, especially when you’re juggling a million things for the holidays:
- Minimal Ingredients: Seriously, just 7 main players! It makes grocery shopping a dream and keeps your counter clutter-free.
- Speedy Prep: You can whip this up super quickly. Forget lengthy chopping or complicated steps – it’s all about saving you time.
- Classic Flavor: Don’t let the ‘no fuss’ fool you! This recipe delivers all those warm, comforting, traditional stuffing tastes you crave.
- Beginner-Friendly: If you’re new to holiday cooking or just want something reliable, this recipe is a total winner. It’s practically foolproof!
Essential Ingredients for Your 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipe
Okay, let’s get down to the good stuff – what you’ll actually need! Trust me, this list is short and sweet, which is exactly what we want when things get hectic. The beauty of these 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss) is that they rely on quality ingredients that do all the heavy lifting for flavor.
First up, you’ll need 1 loaf of country bread. Make sure it’s about 12 cups worth, once you cube it up into roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces. The most important part? Leave these cubes out overnight to dry out. Seriously, don’t skip this; it’s the secret to avoiding soggy stuffing! Next, grab 1/4 cup of butter, plus a little extra for greasing your dish. You’ll also need 1 large shallot, minced nice and fine. Then, grab 2 stalks of celery, also minced, and 3 cloves of garlic, minced up too. For that fresh, herby goodness that screams Thanksgiving, we’re using a lovely mix: 1/2 cup of fresh parsley (chopped), 1 tablespoon of fresh sage (chopped), 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves (minced), 1 tablespoon of fresh savory leaves (chopped), and 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary leaves (chopped). And to tie it all together, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1 to taste of freshly ground black pepper. Finally, you’ll want 2 1/4 cups of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth to bring it all to life.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making 7-Ingredient Stuffing (No Fuss)
Alright, let’s get this delicious stuffing into the oven! Making these 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss) is honestly so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you ever stressed about it before. We’re just going to walk through it step-by-step, and you’ll see how easy it is to get that perfect, comforting side dish. For more great ideas like this, check out our recipes page.
Preparing the Bread for Perfect Stuffing
First things first, tackle that bread! This is super important for great stuffing texture. Take your crusty country bread cubes and spread them out on a baking sheet. Give them a good night to air dry in your kitchen. If you’re in a pinch, you can pop them in a 450°F (230°C) oven for a few minutes until they’re lightly golden and feel a bit firmer. This drying step is what stops your stuffing from turning into a mushy mess and gives it that lovely, slightly chewy texture everyone loves.
Sautéing Aromatics for Flavor
Now, let’s build some flavor! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and give a 9×13 inch baking dish a good buttery coating. Grab a big skillet and melt that 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Toss in your minced shallots and celery and let them get nice and soft, about 6 minutes. They’ll start smelling so good! Then, add your minced garlic along with all those lovely fresh chopped herbs – parsley, sage, thyme, savory, and rosemary. Stir them around for just about another minute until they’re really fragrant. This little sauté step makes a world of difference, infusing those yummy flavors right into the base of your stuffing.
Combining and Seasoning Your Stuffing
Time to bring it all together! Gently put your toasted bread cubes into a large bowl. Pour that fragrant, sautéed veggie and herb mixture right over the top. Now, give it a good, gentle toss. You want everything to be well-distributed. Next, drizzle in the chicken or vegetable broth. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – don’t be shy here, stuffing needs a good amount of seasoning! Toss everything just until the bread cubes are nicely moistened. It’s amazing how quickly this comes together, right?
Baking Your No Fuss Stuffing to Golden Perfection
This is the home stretch! Transfer all that lovely stuffing mixture into your buttered baking dish and spread it out evenly. Now, cover it really well with foil. This helps steam the stuffing and make sure the inside is perfectly tender. Pop it into your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 45 minutes. Once that time is up, carefully remove the foil. You want that gorgeous golden-brown, slightly crispy top, so let it bake for another 15 to 20 minutes uncovered. You’ll know it’s ready when the top looks beautifully toasted and smells absolutely divine. It’s really that simple, especially with these 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss)! You can find more make-ahead tips on other sites too.
Tips for Success with Your Stuffing Recipe
Even with these simple 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss), a couple of little tricks can take it from good to absolutely amazing. You know, the kind of stuffing everyone asks for the recipe for! For instance, the bread really does matter. While country bread is fantastic, if yours is super fresh, just give it a bit longer to dry out. Sometimes I even pop it under the broiler for a minute or two on each side (watch it closely!) to get that perfect firmness if I forgot to leave it out overnight. Also, don’t be afraid of those fresh herbs! They bring such a vibrant flavor that dried herbs just can’t match. If you are using dried herbs, definitely reduce the amount – maybe start with a teaspoon total and taste. For more great herb ideas, check out my herbed popcorn post!
Storing and Reheating Your 7-Ingredient Stuffing
One of the best things about this 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipe (No Fuss) is that it’s totally make-ahead friendly! If you’ve got leftovers, or you’re planning ahead for a busy holiday, just pop the cooled stuffing into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 4 to 6 days. Pretty great, right?
When it’s time to reheat, I always recommend giving it a little love in the oven. Transfer your chilled stuffing back into its baking dish (or another oven-safe dish) and cover it tightly with foil. Pop it into a 350°F (175°C) oven until it’s warmed all the way through. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on how cold it is. If you want that lovely crispy top back, just remove the foil for the last 10 minutes or so. It’s the perfect way to bring that delicious, comforting flavor back to life!
Frequently Asked Questions About 7-Ingredient Stuffing
We get it, holiday cooking can bring up a bunch of questions! These 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss) are pretty straightforward, but I always like to cover the bases. Here are some common things people ask. If you need anything else, feel free to reach out!
Can I Use Different Types of Bread for Stuffing?
Absolutely! While country bread gives fantastic texture, you can totally swap it. A good challah, brioche, or even a sturdy sourdough works well. Just make sure it’s not too soft or sweet. The key is still drying it out really well, no matter the bread type you pick!
How to Make This Stuffing Ahead of Time
This stuffing is a make-ahead dream! You can totally prep everything up to the point of adding the broth and seasoning. Store the bread cubes and the sautéed veggie/herb mixture separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, combine them in your baking dish, add the broth and seasonings, cover, and bake as directed. Or, you can even assemble the whole thing, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
What Are Good Substitutions for Fresh Herbs?
No fresh herbs? No problem! You can definitely use dried herbs. Just remember that dried herbs are more potent, so you’ll need less. A good rule of thumb is about 1/3 the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. So, for the amounts in this recipe, try about 1 teaspoon total of dried herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary. You can still add fresh parsley for color if you have it, or just use dried parsley too if that’s easier!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Here’s a little peek at the nutrition for our hearty 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipe (No Fuss). Keep in mind these numbers are estimates and can wiggle a bit depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. Generally, one serving packs about 398 calories, 61g of carbohydrates, 13g of protein, and 12g of fat. You can learn more about our commitment to transparency by checking out our privacy policy.
Share Your Thoughts on This Easy Stuffing Recipe
So, what did you think? I’d absolutely LOVE to hear if you give these 7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss) a try! Did your family love it? Did it make your holiday prep a breeze? Drop a comment below and let me know, and don’t forget to share your experience! You can also sign up for our newsletter for more simple, delicious recipes.
7-Ingredient Stuffing Recipes (No Fuss)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut the bread into 1/4-1/2 inch cubes. Leave the bread cubes out overnight to dry out. This step is crucial for the stuffing’s texture.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place the dried bread cubes on a baking sheet. You can optionally drizzle a little oil over the bread. Bake for a few minutes until the bread is lightly golden. Set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the 1/4 cup of butter. Add the minced shallots and celery. Cook until they are soft and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, chopped parsley, sage, thyme, savory, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Place the toasted bread cubes in a large bowl. Add the cooked vegetable and herb mixture. Toss gently to combine.
- Gently stir in the chicken or vegetable broth. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss everything until the bread cubes are completely coated.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to the buttered baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top of the stuffing is golden brown.
- Serve hot, garnished with a fresh chop of parsley if desired.
