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If the holidays leave you scrambling, this easy boxed stuffing recipe is a game-changer! Starting with a simple box of stuffing mix, I elevate it with fresh, wholesome ingredients like sautéed onion, crisp celery, sweet apples, and tart-dried cranberries. The result? A dish that tastes homemade, bursting with rich, comforting flavors, and no one will guess it came from a box!
This healthy boxed stuffing recipe is versatile too. Choose gluten-free or cornbread stuffing, keep it vegetarian, or go vegan with a few easy swaps. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, a family dinner, or a quick weeknight meal, this recipe is your go-to for a crowd-pleasing side that’s both effortless and delicious.
For other delicious recipes with stuffing, try our viral turkey stuffing meatballs, turkey stuffing meatloaf, and stuffing waffles! Or, if you’re cooking for a smaller group and want just the right amount, check out our small batch stuffing recipe!
Table of Contents
- 🔎 Quick Look: Easy Boxed Stuffing Recipe
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- Best Add-Ins to Elevate Boxed Stuffing
- How to Make This Easy Boxed Stuffing Recipe
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Instructions
- Boxed Stuffing Recipe FAQs
- More Recipes to Try Next!
- Easy Boxed Stuffing Recipe
🔎 Quick Look: Easy Boxed Stuffing Recipe
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 20 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 30 minutes
- 🍽 Calories: ~205 kcal per serving
- 👥 Servings: 8
- 💙 WW: 3 points per serving
- 🥣 Key Ingredients: Boxed stuffing mix, celery, onion, apples, dried cranberries, low-sodium chicken broth
- 👩🍳 Cook Method: Stovetop (Dutch oven)
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: Made with your favorite boxed stuffing mix, it’s much faster than traditional stuffing from scratch. It’s ready in about 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy holiday moments!
- Elevated Flavor: We’ve up-leveled it with delicious add-ins like cranberries, apples, onions, and celery.
- Lighter Option: This stuffing elevates the traditional recipe while keeping it light and healthy.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of savory and sweet ingredients creates a perfectly balanced and flavorful stuffing.
- Perfect for the Holidays: It’s ideal for Thanksgiving or any festive gathering.
- Versatile: This stuffing can be made gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
Key Ingredients
- Boxed Stuffing Mix: Use one box of your favorite seasoned stuffing mix.
- Butter: You can use butter or light butter.
- Celery: Chop the celery and sauté it in the pan.
- Onion: Dice the onion and sauté.
- Apple: Peel and dice about 2 medium apples. Use a Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apple.
- Cranberries: Roughly chop the dried cranberries to disperse the flavor evenly throughout.
- Chicken Broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to soften the dried stuffing mix.
Find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- What Boxed Stuffing to Use: Use your favorite 12-ounce boxed seasoned stuffing mix. You can use a regular stuffing mix for the perfect classic stuffing flavor. Or, use cornbread stuffing mix for a sweet and savory stuffing.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute the stuffing mix with a gluten-free version.
- Vegan Option: To make this stuffing vegan, swap the butter for olive oil and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Best Add-Ins to Elevate Boxed Stuffing
- What Kind of Apple to Use: I recommend using a Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Gala apple for a sweet flavor profile. Or, use a Granny Smith apple for a hint of tart flavor.
- Type of Onion to Use: I used a sweet onion for this recipe. A white or yellow onion will also work.
- Add Protein: Add cooked sausage or diced cooked bacon to this stuffing for a savory, meaty element.
- Cranberries Substitution: If you don’t have dried cranberries, substitute them with raisins, dried cherries, or dried apricots.
- Nuts: Toasted nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds add crunch and richness to this stuffing!
How to Make This Easy Boxed Stuffing Recipe
- Roughly chop the dried cranberries. Then, peel and chop the apples. Also, dice the onion and chop the celery.
- Add the butter to a Dutch oven over medium heat on the stovetop. After that, add the diced onion, chopped celery, salt, and pepper. Next, sauté these ingredients for about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the chopped apples and dried cranberries to the Dutch oven and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Pour the chicken broth into the Dutch oven and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Once simmering, add the seasoned stuffing mix. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Then, place the lid on the Dutch oven, remove it from the heat, and let the stuffing sit for about 10-15 minutes, allowing it to absorb the liquid. Then, mix the stuffing, transfer it to a serving dish, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Roughly Chop: Roughly chop the dried cranberries. This allows them to be distributed evenly, and you won’t need as many to achieve that perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Finely Chop: Finely chopping the celery, onion, and apple ensures that their flavors are evenly distributed throughout the stuffing.
- Let it Sit: After adding the broth to your stuffing mixture, cover the Dutch oven and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the bread to absorb the liquid, giving the stuffing time to thicken and achieve the perfect texture.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some of our favorite ways to serve this boxed stuffing!
- With Roasted Turkey or Chicken: Serve this stuffing as a side dish with roasted brined turkey breast, air fryer turkey breast, slow cooker turkey breast with gravy, or roasted brined chicken for a classic and comforting combination. Serve with roasted vegetables like air fryer carrots, roasted Brussels sprouts, and potatoes for a well-rounded meal.
- Gravy: Pour rich, homemade gravy without drippings over the stuffing for added flavor and moisture.
- Vegetables: Serve the stuffing with grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for a lighter option.
- With Salad: A mixed greens salad with apple slices and pomegranate seeds would add a refreshing contrast. Or, try our fall harvest salad!
- Mashed Potatoes: Serve this stuffing with creamy homemade cauliflower mashed potatoes for a classic comfort-food meal. This combination is especially perfect for holiday meals or family dinners.
- Cranberry Sauce: Serve the stuffing with a side of homemade cranberry sauce to complement the flavors with a touch of sweetness.
- Casserole: This stuffing is delicious alongside a green bean casserole or sweet potato casserole.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat this stuffing gently on the stovetop or the microwave.
Boxed Stuffing Recipe FAQs
How Can I Make Boxed Stuffing Taste Better?
This is the perfect recipe to up-level boxed stuffing and make it taste incredible. First, we added flavor by swapping the water for chicken broth. Also, we added celery, onions, apples, and dried cranberries for the ultimate burst of sweet and savory deliciousness. This is truly the recipe to make if you want to take boxed stuffing to the next level.
Can I Freeze Leftover Stuffing?
You can freeze leftover stuffing in an airtight freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. When ready to serve, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in the oven until warm.
More Recipes to Try Next!
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
Easy Boxed Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box of your favorite seasoned stuffing mix (12 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon butter or light butter
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup diced sweet onion or white onion
- 1 ½ cups diced peeled apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Roughly chop the dried cranberries. Then, peel and chop the apples. Also, dice the onion and chop the celery.
- Add the butter to a Dutch oven over medium heat on the stovetop. After that, add the diced onion, chopped celery, salt, and pepper. Next, sauté these ingredients for about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the chopped apples and dried cranberries to the Dutch oven and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Pour the chicken broth into the Dutch oven and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Once simmering, add the seasoned stuffing mix. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Then, place the lid on the Dutch oven, remove it from the heat, and let the stuffing sit for about 10-15 minutes, allowing it to absorb the liquid. Then, mix the stuffing, transfer it to a serving dish, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute the stuffing mix with a gluten-free version.
- Vegan Option: To make this stuffing vegan, swap the butter for olive oil and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat this stuffing gently on the stovetop or the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love how we’ve taken boxed stuffing and completely elevated it! It’s effortless to make, but it tastes like something you’d spend hours preparing. With just a few simple upgrades, this stuffing is flavorful, comforting, and perfect for the holidays. It’s one of those recipes that feels indulgent without any of the stress definitely a go-to when I want a crowd-pleasing side in minutes!