Thanksgiving stuffing is one of those classic holiday dishes that everyone looks forward to. Whether you prefer traditional herb stuffing, sausage stuffing, cornbread stuffing, apple stuffing, mushroom stuffing, or cheesy variations, these easy recipes make it simple to prepare a delicious side dish for your Thanksgiving table.

These 21 Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes are designed to be approachable, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners, Friendsgiving, or a large holiday gathering.

1. Easy Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing 🍞🌿

This classic stuffing combines toasted bread, onion, celery, butter, and traditional Thanksgiving herbs. It is simple, comforting, and pairs beautifully with turkey and gravy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 10 cups cubed day-old bread
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1½ tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet.
3. Toast for 10–12 minutes until lightly crisp.
4. Melt butter in a large skillet.
5. Add onion and celery.
6. Cook for 6–8 minutes until tender.
7. Stir in sage, thyme, and rosemary.
8. Place the toasted bread in a large bowl.
9. Add the cooked vegetables and herbs.
10. Pour in the broth gradually, tossing as you go.
11. Season with salt and pepper.
12. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
13. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
14. Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until golden.

Tip: Use day-old bread for stuffing with a soft center and crispy edges.

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2. Easy Sausage Stuffing 🥩🌿

Savory sausage makes this stuffing extra hearty and flavorful without requiring complicated ingredients.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 1 lb mild Italian sausage
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast bread cubes at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
2. Brown the sausage in a skillet.
3. Break it into small pieces as it cooks.
4. Remove sausage from the skillet.
5. Add butter.
6. Sauté onion and celery until soft.
7. Add sage and thyme.
8. Combine bread, sausage, and vegetables.
9. Pour in broth gradually.
10. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Transfer to a casserole dish.
12. Cover and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
13. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes.

Easy variation: Use breakfast sausage for a slightly different flavor.

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3. Easy Cornbread Stuffing 🌽

Sweet, tender cornbread gives this stuffing a delicious Southern-inspired flavor.

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Ingredients

• 8 cups cubed cornbread
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 cups broth
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cut cornbread into cubes.
2. Toast lightly in the oven.
3. Melt butter in a skillet.
4. Cook onion and celery until tender.
5. Add sage and thyme.
6. Place cornbread in a bowl.
7. Add vegetables.
8. Whisk eggs with broth.
9. Pour over the cornbread mixture.
10. Toss gently.
11. Transfer to a baking dish.
12. Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes until golden.

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4. Easy Apple Sage Stuffing 🍎

Sweet apples and earthy sage create one of the most delicious fall flavor combinations.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 2 apples, diced
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1½ tsp sage
• ½ tsp thyme
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast the bread cubes.
2. Melt butter in a skillet.
3. Add onion and celery.
4. Cook until softened.
5. Add diced apples.
6. Cook for 2–3 minutes.
7. Stir in sage and thyme.
8. Combine the mixture with bread.
9. Add cranberries.
10. Pour in broth gradually.
11. Transfer to a baking dish.
12. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.

Tip: Use a firm apple such as Granny Smith so the pieces don’t completely fall apart during baking.

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5. Easy Mushroom Stuffing 🍄

Mushrooms add an earthy, savory flavor and make this a wonderful vegetarian Thanksgiving stuffing.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 12 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 3 garlic cloves
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast the bread.
2. Melt butter in a skillet.
3. Add onion and celery.
4. Cook until softened.
5. Add mushrooms.
6. Cook until their moisture evaporates.
7. Stir in garlic and herbs.
8. Combine with bread.
9. Add vegetable broth.
10. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Transfer to a baking dish.
12. Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.

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6. Easy Cranberry Pecan Stuffing 🍒🥜

Cranberries provide tart sweetness while pecans add a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast bread cubes.
2. Sauté onion and celery in butter.
3. Add sage and thyme.
4. Combine the vegetables with bread.
5. Stir in cranberries and pecans.
6. Pour broth over the mixture.
7. Toss gently.
8. Transfer to a baking dish.
9. Cover and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
10. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes.

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7. Easy Garlic Herb Stuffing 🧄🌿

Garlic and fresh herbs give this simple stuffing a wonderful aroma.

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Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast bread cubes.
2. Melt butter.
3. Sauté onion and celery.
4. Add minced garlic.
5. Cook for 30 seconds.
6. Stir in herbs.
7. Add bread.
8. Pour in broth.
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Transfer to a casserole.
11. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.
12. Garnish with parsley.

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8. Easy Bacon Stuffing 🥓

Crispy bacon adds smoky flavor and makes this stuffing especially satisfying.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 8 bacon slices
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• 3 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook bacon until crisp.
2. Remove and crumble.
3. Reserve about 1 tablespoon bacon fat.
4. Cook onion and celery in the skillet.
5. Add butter if needed.
6. Stir in herbs.
7. Combine bread with vegetables.
8. Add bacon.
9. Pour in broth.
10. Transfer to a baking dish.
11. Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.
12. Sprinkle extra bacon over the top before serving.

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9. Easy Caramelized Onion Stuffing 🧅

Slow-cooked onions add incredible sweetness and depth to this easy stuffing.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 3 large onions
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• ½ cup Parmesan
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Slice onions thinly.
2. Melt butter in a skillet.
3. Cook onions over medium-low heat.
4. Stir occasionally for 25–30 minutes.
5. Continue until deeply golden.
6. Toast bread cubes.
7. Combine bread and onions.
8. Add thyme and Parmesan.
9. Pour in broth.
10. Transfer to a baking dish.
11. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.

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10. Easy Sausage Apple Stuffing 🍎🥩

Sausage and apples make this stuffing both savory and slightly sweet.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 1 lb sausage
• 2 apples
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage.
2. Transfer it to a bowl.
3. Cook onion and celery in butter.
4. Add diced apples.
5. Cook for 2–3 minutes.
6. Add sage and thyme.
7. Combine bread and vegetables.
8. Add sausage.
9. Pour in broth.
10. Toss gently.
11. Transfer to a baking dish.
12. Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.

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11. Easy Wild Rice Stuffing 🌾

Wild rice adds a hearty, nutty texture to traditional bread stuffing.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked wild rice
• 6 cups bread cubes
• 1 onion
• 2 celery stalks
• ½ cup cranberries
• ½ cup pecans
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp sage
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook wild rice ahead of time.
2. Toast bread cubes.
3. Sauté onion and celery in butter.
4. Add sage.
5. Combine bread and wild rice.
6. Add cranberries and pecans.
7. Pour in broth.
8. Season to taste.
9. Transfer to a casserole.
10. Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes.

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12. Easy Sausage Cornbread Stuffing 🌽

Cornbread and sausage are a delicious combination for a hearty holiday side.

Ingredients

• 8 cups cornbread cubes
• 1 lb sausage
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast cornbread cubes.
2. Brown sausage.
3. Cook onion and celery.
4. Add herbs.
5. Combine cornbread, sausage, and vegetables.
6. Whisk eggs with broth.
7. Pour over the stuffing.
8. Mix gently.
9. Transfer to a baking dish.
10. Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes.

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13. Easy Chestnut Stuffing 🌰

Chestnuts bring a naturally sweet and nutty flavor to Thanksgiving stuffing.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 1 cup cooked chestnuts, chopped
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• Parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast the bread cubes.
2. Sauté onion and celery.
3. Add sage and thyme.
4. Stir in chopped chestnuts.
5. Combine with bread.
6. Add broth gradually.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Transfer to a casserole.
9. Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
10. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes.

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14. Easy Parmesan Herb Stuffing 🧀🌿

Parmesan adds a savory, cheesy finish to this simple herb stuffing.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• ½ cup Parmesan
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast bread.
2. Cook onion and celery in butter.
3. Add thyme and rosemary.
4. Combine vegetables with bread.
5. Add Parmesan.
6. Pour in broth.
7. Toss gently.
8. Transfer to a baking dish.
9. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.
10. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan before serving.

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15. Easy Pear Walnut Stuffing 🍐🌰

Pears and walnuts create a beautiful fall-inspired stuffing with contrasting textures.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 2 pears, diced
• ¾ cup walnuts
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Toast the bread.
2. Sauté onion and celery.
3. Add diced pears.
4. Cook briefly.
5. Stir in herbs.
6. Combine with bread.
7. Add walnuts.
8. Pour in broth.
9. Transfer to a baking dish.
10. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.

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16. Easy Butternut Squash Stuffing 🎃

Roasted butternut squash gives this stuffing a beautiful golden color and subtle sweetness.

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Ingredients

• 8 cups bread cubes
• 3 cups cubed butternut squash
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2 cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• ½ cup pecans

Instructions

1. Roast butternut squash at 400°F until tender.
2. Toast bread cubes.
3. Sauté onion and celery.
4. Add sage and thyme.
5. Combine bread and vegetables.
6. Add roasted squash and pecans.
7. Pour in broth.
8. Mix gently.
9. Transfer to a baking dish.
10. Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes.

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17. Easy Mushroom and Herb Stuffing 🍄🌿

A simple combination of mushrooms and herbs makes a flavorful vegetarian Thanksgiving side.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 12 oz mushrooms
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 3 garlic cloves
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast bread cubes.
2. Sauté onion and celery.
3. Add mushrooms.
4. Cook until browned.
5. Add garlic.
6. Stir in herbs.
7. Combine with bread.
8. Add broth.
9. Season well.
10. Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.

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18. Easy Cranberry Apple Stuffing 🍎🍒

This colorful stuffing is perfect if you enjoy sweet and savory Thanksgiving flavors.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 2 apples
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• ½ tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Toast the bread.
2. Cook onion and celery in butter.
3. Add apples.
4. Cook for a few minutes.
5. Stir in herbs.
6. Combine with bread.
7. Add cranberries.
8. Pour in broth.
9. Transfer to a baking dish.
10. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.

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19. Easy Rosemary Garlic Stuffing 🧄🌿

Garlic and rosemary make this stuffing particularly aromatic.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• 5 garlic cloves
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Toast the bread cubes.
2. Melt butter.
3. Add onion and celery.
4. Cook until tender.
5. Add garlic and rosemary.
6. Cook for 30–60 seconds.
7. Add thyme.
8. Combine with bread.
9. Pour in broth.
10. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.
11. Garnish with parsley.

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20. Easy Maple Pecan Stuffing 🍁🥜

Maple syrup gives this stuffing a subtle sweetness while pecans add crunch.

Ingredients

• 10 cups bread cubes
• ¾ cup pecans
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 5 tbsp butter
• 2½ cups broth
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Toast bread cubes.
2. Toast pecans lightly.
3. Sauté onion and celery in butter.
4. Add herbs.
5. Combine bread and vegetables.
6. Stir in pecans.
7. Drizzle with maple syrup.
8. Pour in broth.
9. Transfer to a baking dish.
10. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.

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21. Easy Ultimate Thanksgiving Stuffing 🦃🍞

This final recipe combines the best parts of classic stuffing with sausage, apples, cranberries, pecans, and plenty of herbs.

Ingredients

• 10 cups day-old bread cubes
• 1 lb mild sausage
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 2 apples, diced
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup pecans
• 6 tbsp butter
• 2½–3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Toast the bread cubes until dry and lightly golden.
3. Brown the sausage in a large skillet.
4. Break the sausage into small pieces while cooking.
5. Remove the sausage from the pan.
6. Melt the butter in the same skillet.
7. Add onion and celery.
8. Cook until tender.
9. Add apples and cook for 2–3 minutes.
10. Stir in sage, thyme, and rosemary.
11. Place the bread in a large mixing bowl.
12. Add sausage, vegetables, apples, cranberries, and pecans.
13. Pour broth over the mixture gradually.
14. Toss gently until evenly moistened.
15. Season with salt and pepper.
16. Transfer to a buttered baking dish.
17. Cover with foil.
18. Bake for 25 minutes.
19. Remove the foil.
20. Bake for another 15–20 minutes until the top is crisp and golden.
21. Rest for 5–10 minutes.
22. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

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🍽️ What to Serve With Thanksgiving Stuffing

These stuffing recipes pair beautifully with:

• 🦃 Roast turkey
• 🍗 Turkey breast
• 🥩 Roast beef
• 🍖 Thanksgiving ham
• 🍗 Roast chicken
• 🥔 Creamy mashed potatoes
• 🍠 Sweet potato casserole
• 🥕 Roasted carrots
• 🥬 Green bean casserole
• 🌽 Creamed corn
• 🍒 Cranberry sauce
• 🥖 Homemade dinner rolls
• 🍄 Mushroom gravy
• 🥣 Turkey gravy

🗓️ Easy Make-Ahead Stuffing Tips

Thanksgiving can get hectic, so stuffing is a great dish to prepare ahead.

The Day Before

• Cube the bread.
• Toast or dry it.
• Chop onions and celery.
• Cook sausage if using.
• Prepare roasted vegetables.
• Mix the dry ingredients.

Thanksgiving Day

• Combine the stuffing ingredients.
• Add broth gradually.
• Transfer to the baking dish.
• Refrigerate until ready to bake if preparing ahead.
• Bake covered first.
• Remove the foil toward the end for crispy edges.

Pro tip: Keep the stuffing mixture refrigerated until you’re ready to cook it rather than leaving a prepared mixture containing perishable ingredients at room temperature.

❓ Thanksgiving Stuffing FAQs

What is the easiest stuffing recipe?

Classic bread stuffing is one of the simplest options. It needs only bread, onion, celery, butter, broth, and herbs.

Can I use fresh bread for stuffing?

You can, but drying or lightly toasting the bread first usually gives you a better texture because it absorbs the broth without becoming overly soft.

Can I make stuffing vegetarian?

Yes. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and use mushrooms, chestnuts, nuts, wild rice, or vegetables instead of meat.

Why is my stuffing dry?

You may not have added enough broth, or the bread may have been especially dry. Add broth gradually before baking until the bread is evenly moistened.

Why is my stuffing soggy?

Too much liquid can make stuffing soggy. Add broth gradually and remember that different types of bread absorb different amounts.

Can stuffing be made ahead of Thanksgiving?

Yes. You can prepare many stuffing recipes the day before and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake.

How do I make stuffing crispy on top?

Bake uncovered for the final 15–20 minutes. You can also place the casserole under the broiler briefly, watching it carefully.

🍂 Final Thoughts

These 21 Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes make it easy to add a delicious homemade side dish to your holiday table. From Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing and Sausage Stuffing to Apple Sage, Cornbread, Mushroom, Cranberry Pecan, Butternut Squash, and Maple Pecan Stuffing, there is a recipe for every Thanksgiving menu.

For the most traditional holiday dinner, pair classic stuffing with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, and warm dinner rolls. If you’re hosting a vegetarian Thanksgiving, the mushroom, wild rice, butternut squash, or cranberry pecan versions make excellent choices.