This Thanksgiving Stuffing Bread Is Unlike Anything You've Had Before

stuffing loaf (Photo: Jeremy Paige)
stuffing loaf (Photo: Jeremy Paige)

I grew up eating the traditional stovetop stuffing. You know, the kind in the bag where you add some onions and celery, and call it a day. It wasn’t until my late teens that I realized stuffing could actually be made from scratch. Then I later went to culinary school and started making my own homemade version and thought it was pretty damn good.

But then, a few years ago, my wife’s best friend came over and delivered us literally the most perfect stuffing I had ever had. It was all the things a stuffing should be ― crispy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside and packed full of flavor. But there was a twist ― it was in the shape of a loaf. I was intrigued and immediately had a million questions.

First off, it’s made with only six ingredients. How could a dish with only six ingredients have so much flavor? The answer is chicken stock. The success or failure of this dish lies in the quality of broth you use. You’ll want to make your own or invest in a stock that you know tastes great. The bread absorbs all of the seasonings of the broth and becomes the main flavor of the dish, so go big or go home. A stick of butter doesn’t hurt the flavor, either.

The other trick to this stuffing is that it’s cooked in a water bath, also known as a bain-marie. The pan is nestled inside a larger pan of hot water in the oven, insulating the bread and keeping the oven moist, therefore keeping your stuffing moist. It also helps to cook it evenly, so the outer edge of your stuffing won’t bake faster than the center.

If you’re in the market for a new stuffing this year, look no further than this stuffing loaf. It tastes even better the next stay for breakfast slathered with butter.

stuffing loaf (Photo: Jeremy Paige)
stuffing loaf (Photo: Jeremy Paige)

Thanksgiving Stuffing Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 (1-pound) white bread loaf, cut into 1-inch chunks and left out to dry overnight

  • 1 (4-ounce) stick salted butter

  • 1 small yellow onion, minced

  • 2 stalks celery, minced

  • 2 cups good quality chicken stock

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • Kosher salt, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9x5 loaf pan with nonstick spray.

2. Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat.

3. Add onion and celery. Sauté until onion is translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes.

4. Transfer to a large bowl and mix with stale bread, chicken stock and egg. Season with salt.

5. Firmly press mixture into loaf pan and cover with aluminum foil.

6. Place loaf pan in large casserole dish. Pour hot water in bottom of casserole dish until it reaches about 1 1/2inches up the side of the loaf pan.

7. Place in oven and bake for 45 minutes.

8. Remove cover and bake additional 15 minutes.

9. Let cool for 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Then slice and serve.

Related...

Maple Harissa Hasselback Sweet Potatoes With Candied Pecans

Keto Thanksgiving Recipes That Everyone Will Love

11 Regional Thanksgiving Recipes That Food Bloggers Swear By

Also on HuffPost

Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Sage Dressing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://boulderlocavore.com/2013/11/spicy-chorizo-cornbread-sage-dressing.html" target="_blank">Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Sage Dressing recipe</a> from Boulder Locavore</strong>
Get the Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Sage Dressing recipe from Boulder Locavore

Kale, Dried Porcini Mushroom And Pine Nut Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://cafejohnsonia.com/2012/11/kale-dried-porcini-mushroom-pine-nut-stuffing-dressing.html" target="_blank">Kale, Dried Porcini Mushroom and Pine Nut Stuffing recipe</a> from Cafe Johnsonia</strong>

Traditional Bread Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/bread-stuffing-recipe/" target="_blank">Traditional Bread Stuffing recipe</a> from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>
Get the Traditional Bread Stuffing recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Challah, Mushroom And Celery

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/1452-what-we-call-stuffing-challah-mushroom-and-celery" target="_blank">Challah, Mushroom, and Celery recipe</a> from MrsWheelbarrow via Food52</strong>
Get the Challah, Mushroom, and Celery recipe from MrsWheelbarrow via Food52

Buffalo Cheddar Beer Bread Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/buffalo-cheddar-beer-bread-stuffing/" target="_blank">Buffalo Cheddar Beer Bread Stuffing recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>
Get the Buffalo Cheddar Beer Bread Stuffing recipe from Half Baked Harvest

Cornbread Sausage Stuffing With Leeks, Pecans And Dried Cranberries (Gluten-Free)

<strong>Get the <a href="http://cafejohnsonia.com/2013/11/gluten-free-cornbread-sausage-stuffing-leeks-pecans-cranberries.html" target="_blank">Cornbread Sausage Stuffing with Leeks, Pecans, and Dried Cranberries recipe</a> from Cafe Johnsonia</strong>

Pretzel Bread Quinoa Stuffing With Garlic Butter Mushrooms

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/11/pretzel-bread-quinoa-stuffing-with-garlic-butter-mushrooms/" target="_blank">Pretzel Bread Quinoa Stuffing with Garlic Butter Mushrooms recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Sheet Pan Stuffing With Brussels Sprouts And Pancetta

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/32049-sheet-pan-stuffing-with-brussels-sprouts-and-pancetta" target="_blank">Sheet Pan Stuffing with Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta recipe</a> from Alexandra Stafford via Food52</strong>

Southwest Cornbread Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.aspicyperspective.com/southwest-cornbread-stuffing.html" target="_blank">Southwest Cornbread Stuffing recipe</a> from A Spicy Perspective</strong>
Get the Southwest Cornbread Stuffing recipe from A Spicy Perspective

Stuffing In A Bundt Pan

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.aspicyperspective.com/stuffing-in-a-bundt-pan.html" target="_blank">Stuffing in a Bundt Pan recipe</a> from A Spicy Perspective</strong>
Get the Stuffing in a Bundt Pan recipe from A Spicy Perspective

Bacon And Bourbon Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/11/bacon-and-bourbon-stuffing-1.html" target="_blank">Bacon And Bourbon Stuffing recipe</a> from A Beautiful Mess</strong>
Get the Bacon And Bourbon Stuffing recipe from A Beautiful Mess

Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.feastingathome.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-stuffing-muffins.html" target="_blank">Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins recipe</a> from Feasting At Home</strong>
Get the Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins recipe from Feasting At Home

Pumpkin Cornbread Stuffing With Country Sausage And Sage

<strong>Get the <a href="http://theviewfromgreatisland.com/2012/11/pumpkin-cornbread-stuffing-with-country-sausage-and-sage.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin Cornbread Stuffing with Country Sausage and Sage recipe</a> from The View From The Great Island</strong>

Prune And Apple Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/2559-prune-and-apple-stuffing" target="_blank">Prune and Apple Stuffing recipe</a> from Amanda Hesser via Food52</strong>
Get the Prune and Apple Stuffing recipe from Amanda Hesser via Food52

Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprout, And Bread Stuffing With Apples

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/19730-butternut-squash-brussels-sprout-and-bread-stuffing-with-apples" target="_blank">Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprout, And Bread Stuffing With Apples recipe</a> from Food52</strong>

Stuffing Muffins With Apple And Pancetta

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.aspicyperspective.com/2011/11/cornbread-stuffing-muffins-with-apple-and-pancetta.html" target="_blank">Stuffing Muffins with Apple and Pancetta recipe</a> from A Spicy Perspective</strong>

Wild Rice Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/wild_rice_dressing/" target="_blank">Wild Rice Stuffing recipe</a> from Simply Recipes</strong>
Get the Wild Rice Stuffing recipe from Simply Recipes

Cornbread Stuffing With Green Chiles

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bellaeats.com/blog/2011/9/19/a-meal-for-summers-end.html">Cornbread Stuffing with Green Chiles recipe </a>from Bella Eats</strong>

Savory Leek Bread Pudding

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.feastingathome.com/2011/12/savory-leek-bread-pudding.html">Savory Leek Bread Pudding recipe</a> from Feasting At Home</strong>
Get the Savory Leek Bread Pudding recipe from Feasting At Home

Quinoa, Sweet Potato And Dried Cranberry Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://withstyleandgraceblog.com/2011/11/16/quinoa-sweet-potato-and-dried-cranberry-stuffing-thanksgiving/">Quinoa, Sweet Potato and Dried Cranberry Stuffing recipe</a> from With Style & Grace</strong>

Sourdough Parmesan Artichoke Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://tsgcookin.com/2010/11/artichoke-parmesan-sourdough-stuffing/">Sourdough Parmesan Artichoke Stuffing recipe</a> from That's Some Good Cookin'</strong>
Get the Sourdough Parmesan Artichoke Stuffing recipe from That's Some Good Cookin'

Pancetta And Sage Stuffing Muffins

<strong>Get the <a href="http://acozykitchen.com/pancetta-sage-stuffing-muffins/">Pancetta and Sage Stuffing Muffins recipe</a> from A Cozy Kitchen</strong>
Get the Pancetta and Sage Stuffing Muffins recipe from A Cozy Kitchen

Sausage And Bread Stuffing

<strong>Get the Recipe for <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/sausage-and-bread-stuffin_n_1059606.html" target="_hplink">Sausage and Bread Stuffing</a> from Food & Wine</strong>
Get the Recipe for Sausage and Bread Stuffing from Food & Wine

Sticky Rice Dressing

<strong>Get the Recipe for <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/sticky-rice-dressing_n_1059624.html" target="_hplink">Sticky Rice Dressing</a> from Food & Wine</strong>
Get the Recipe for Sticky Rice Dressing from Food & Wine

Grandy's Sausage Stuffing

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/32021-grandy-s-sausage-stuffing" target="_blank">Grandy's Sausage Stuffing recipe</a> from Cara Nicoletti  via Food52</strong>
Get the Grandy's Sausage Stuffing recipe from Cara Nicoletti via Food52

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.