Stuffing Mix Recipes: 15 Easy Dinners Beyond the Side Dish, Plus the Stuffing Box Mystery Everyone Remembers Wrong

Stuffing mix recipes are trending this week for a funny reason. Thousands of people are searching for a famous stuffing box they are sure once carried a different brand name, and Google Trends shows Breakout searches about it. It never happened, but it got everyone talking about that cheap box in the pantry. And that box can do a lot more than sit next to the turkey. Here are easy dinners and party bites that start with one box of stuffing, from meatloaf and crockpot chicken to waffles and stuffed mushrooms. Each slide has a shopping list and simple steps. Grab a box..

Stuffing Mix Recipes Begin With Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Thousands of people are sure the famous stuffing box once said Stouffer’s. It never did. The boxed stovetop stuffing has been made by General Foods, now Kraft Heinz, since the early 1970s, while Stouffer’s is a frozen food brand. You can see the Breakout searches on Google Trends. Start with this cozy casserole..

You will need: 3 cups cooked chicken shredded, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup milk, 2 cups frozen peas and carrots, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix, 1 cup hot chicken broth, 1/4 cup butter melted, fresh sage

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F. 2. Mix chicken, soup, sour cream, milk and vegetables in a greased skillet or 9×13 dish. 3. Stir the stuffing mix with hot broth and butter. 4. Spoon it evenly over the chicken. 5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Stuffing Mix Recipes Start Here: Meatloaf, the Most Searched Idea

The number one thing people search with stuffing mix is meatloaf, and one bite explains it. The dry seasoned crumbs replace plain breadcrumbs and bring onion, herbs and a little salt, so you do not need to measure spices. Mix, shape, glaze and bake. It is one of the easiest stuffing mix recipes and it slices beautifully for sandwiches the next day. Ketchup glaze or gravy?

You will need: 2 lb ground beef, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix, 1 cup water or milk, 2 eggs. Glaze: 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp mustard

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Mix beef, stuffing mix, water and eggs with your hands just until combined. 3. Shape into a loaf in a 9×5 pan or on a lined sheet. 4. Stir the glaze together and spread on top. 5. Bake 1 hour, until 160 F inside, and rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Stuffing Mix Recipes for the Crockpot: Chicken and Stuffing

This is the dump dinner that tastes like a Sunday supper. Chicken breasts go in the slow cooker with a creamy soup and sour cream sauce, then a layer of buttered stuffing mix goes on top. Hours later you have tender chicken, rich gravy and soft, savory stuffing with almost no work. Add a bag of frozen green beans for the last hour and dinner is done. Busy families love stuffing mix recipes like this one. Would you come home to this?

You will need: 4 boneless chicken breasts, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup melted butter, 2 cups frozen green beans (optional)

How to make it: 1. Put the chicken in the slow cooker. 2. Stir soup and sour cream together and spread over it. 3. Mix the stuffing with broth and butter and sprinkle on top. 4. Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 to 4 hours. 5. Add green beans for the last hour if you like.

Stuffing Waffles With Gravy

Stuffing in a waffle iron is the fun trick people love to share in November. Moisten the stuffing mix with broth and an egg, press it in the waffle iron and it comes out crisp outside and soft inside. Top with gravy, a fried egg or a spoon of cranberry sauce. It is the most fun of all the stuffing mix recipes here. Would you try waffle stuffing?

You will need: 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix, 1 cup hot chicken broth, 2 tbsp butter melted, 1 egg beaten, cooking spray. Toppings: hot gravy, cranberry sauce or fried eggs

How to make it: 1. Stir the stuffing mix with hot broth and butter and let it sit 5 minutes. 2. Stir in the egg. 3. Heat and grease the waffle iron. 4. Press about 1 cup of stuffing into the iron and close it. 5. Cook 4 to 5 minutes until crisp and serve with your toppings.

Stuffing Mix Recipes for Parties: Sausage Cranberry Bites

These two bite stuffing balls are the party snack everyone grabs first. Mix stuffing with browned sausage, dried cranberries and an egg, roll into balls and bake until crisp. Serve them warm with a little cranberry sauce or gravy for dipping. They freeze well, so you can make them a week before the party, which makes them one of the best stuffing mix recipes for hosts. How many could you eat?

You will need: 1 lb pork sausage, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix, 1 cup hot chicken broth, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 egg, 2 tbsp butter melted

How to make it: 1. Brown the sausage and drain. 2. Stir the stuffing mix with hot broth and let it soak 5 minutes. 3. Mix in sausage, cranberries, egg and butter. 4. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a lined sheet. 5. Bake at 375 F for 20 to 25 minutes until golden.

Herb Stuffing Muffins

Stuffing muffins give everyone the best part: crispy edges all around. Mix the stuffing with sauteed celery and onion, scoop it into a muffin tin and bake. They are easy to serve at a buffet, easy to pack for lunch, and great next to roast chicken any night of the week. Make a double batch and freeze half. Stuffing mix recipes like this are budget friendly too. Crispy edges or soft middle?

You will need: 2 boxes (6 oz each) stuffing mix, 1 1/2 cups hot chicken broth, 1/2 cup butter, 1 onion diced, 2 celery stalks diced, 2 eggs, 1 tsp dried sage, cooking spray

How to make it: 1. Cook onion and celery in butter until soft. 2. Stir in the stuffing mix, broth and sage and cool 5 minutes. 3. Stir in the eggs. 4. Pack into a greased 12 cup muffin tin. 5. Bake at 375 F for 20 to 25 minutes until crisp on top.

Stuffing Crusted Chicken Tenders

Crush dry stuffing mix and use it as a breading. It is already seasoned with herbs and onion, so these chicken tenders taste like Thanksgiving in every bite. Bake them on a rack until crunchy, or use the air fryer. Kids love them with honey mustard or a little cranberry dipping sauce. Among quick stuffing mix recipes, this one wins weeknights. What is your favorite dip?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb chicken tenders, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix crushed fine, 2 eggs beaten, 1/2 cup flour, cooking spray. Dip: honey mustard or cranberry sauce

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F and set a rack on a sheet pan. 2. Dip each tender in flour, then egg, then crushed stuffing. 3. Lay on the rack and spray with oil. 4. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, turning once, until 165 F inside. 5. Serve with dipping sauce.

Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are a holiday party classic, and stuffing mix makes them fast. Pop out the stems, chop them, and mix them with stuffing, cream cheese and Parmesan. Fill the caps and bake until golden. They look fancy on a platter and take 30 minutes start to finish, and they are among the most popular stuffing mix recipes for parties. For more easy party food, see our make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers. Do you love mushrooms or pick them out?

You will need: 24 white or cremini mushrooms, 1 cup stuffing mix, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup chicken broth, chopped parsley

How to make it: 1. Remove and chop the mushroom stems. 2. Cook the stems in butter 3 minutes. 3. Mix with stuffing, broth, cream cheese and Parmesan. 4. Fill the caps and set on a baking sheet. 5. Bake at 375 F for 18 to 20 minutes and top with parsley.

Pork Chop and Stuffing Bake

Pork chops and stuffing are a classic 1970s supper that still works today. Brown the chops, tuck them into a baking dish, cover them with stuffing mixed with apples and onion, and bake. The chops stay juicy under the stuffing blanket. Serve with applesauce for the full retro dinner. Old school stuffing mix recipes never go out of style. Did your mom make this?

You will need: 4 bone-in pork chops, salt and pepper, 1 tbsp oil, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix, 1 1/4 cups hot chicken broth, 1 apple diced, 1/2 onion diced, 2 tbsp butter

How to make it: 1. Season and brown the chops in oil 2 minutes per side. 2. Put them in a greased 9×13 dish. 3. Cook apple and onion in butter until soft, then stir in stuffing and broth. 4. Spoon the stuffing over the chops. 5. Cover and bake at 350 F for 30 minutes, then uncover for 10 minutes.

Stuffing Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Roll a spoon of moist stuffing inside thin chicken breasts and you have a dinner that looks like it came from a restaurant. Brush with butter, sprinkle a little crushed stuffing on top and bake. Slice each roll to show the spiral inside. It is a smart way to get a holiday flavor into a regular Tuesday dinner. Would you serve this to guests?

You will need: 4 boneless chicken breasts pounded thin, 1 1/2 cups prepared stuffing, 4 slices Swiss cheese (optional), 2 tbsp butter melted, 1/4 cup crushed dry stuffing mix, toothpicks

How to make it: 1. Lay out the chicken and add a slice of cheese to each. 2. Spoon stuffing on top and roll up tight. 3. Secure with toothpicks and set seam side down in a dish. 4. Brush with butter and sprinkle with crushed stuffing. 5. Bake at 375 F for 30 to 35 minutes until 165 F inside.

Turkey and Stuffing Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers get a cozy fall twist when you fill them with ground turkey and stuffing instead of rice. A little cranberry sauce and cheese on top make them sweet, savory and melty. Each pepper is a full dinner in a handy cup, and like most stuffing mix recipes, they reheat well for lunch. Green or red peppers?

You will need: 4 large bell peppers halved and seeded, 1 lb ground turkey, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix, 1 cup hot chicken broth, 1/2 onion diced, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 1/4 cup cranberry sauce

How to make it: 1. Brown the turkey with the onion. 2. Stir in stuffing mix and broth and let it soak 5 minutes. 3. Fill the pepper halves and set them in a baking dish with 1/4 cup water. 4. Cover and bake at 375 F for 30 minutes. 5. Top with cheese and a spoon of cranberry and bake 10 minutes more.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn squash halves make pretty edible bowls for a holiday table, and they are perfect for vegetarian guests. Roast the squash until tender, then fill it with stuffing mixed with apples, pecans and dried cranberries. A drizzle of maple syrup ties it all together. It is a side dish that can double as a main course, and one of the prettiest stuffing mix recipes. Have you ever cooked acorn squash?

You will need: 2 acorn squash halved and seeded, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix (use vegetable broth for vegetarian), 1 cup hot vegetable broth, 1 apple diced, 1/2 cup pecans, 1/3 cup dried cranberries, 2 tbsp maple syrup

How to make it: 1. Brush the squash with oil, season and roast cut side down at 400 F for 30 minutes. 2. Stir the stuffing mix with hot broth. 3. Mix in apple, pecans and cranberries. 4. Flip the squash and fill each half. 5. Drizzle with maple syrup and bake 15 minutes more.

Stuffing Mix Recipes for Breakfast: Sausage and Egg Strata

Turn stuffing mix into a make ahead breakfast casserole. Layer the dry mix with sausage and cheese, pour over eggs and milk, then chill overnight. In the morning, bake it while the coffee brews. It is perfect for Christmas morning or a house full of guests. Among breakfast stuffing mix recipes, this one feeds the most people. Sausage or bacon?

You will need: 1 lb breakfast sausage browned, 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 8 eggs, 2 1/2 cups milk, 1 tsp dry mustard, salt and pepper

How to make it: 1. Spread the stuffing mix in a greased 9×13 dish. 2. Top with sausage and cheese. 3. Whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper and pour over. 4. Cover and chill overnight. 5. Bake at 350 F for 45 to 50 minutes until set in the middle.

Turkey Pot Pie With a Stuffing Crust

Skip the pie crust and use stuffing instead. Press a layer of moist stuffing into a pie dish, fill it with a creamy turkey and vegetable filling, and top with more stuffing. It bakes into a golden, crispy shell that soaks up the gravy. It is a hearty winter dinner that uses one pot and one dish. Crust lovers, are you in?

You will need: 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix prepared, 3 cups cooked turkey or chicken diced, 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 tsp thyme, pepper

How to make it: 1. Press two thirds of the prepared stuffing into a greased deep pie dish. 2. Stir turkey, vegetables, soup, milk, thyme and pepper together. 3. Pour into the stuffing shell. 4. Crumble the rest of the stuffing on top. 5. Bake at 375 F for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbly.

How to Make Boxed Stuffing Taste Homemade

Here is the secret grandmas and restaurant cooks share: start with the box, then add real butter, real broth and fresh vegetables. Saute celery and onion in butter, use broth instead of water, and stir in fresh sage, thyme and parsley. Bake it in a dish for a crispy top. Nobody will ever guess it came from a box. What do you add to make it yours?

You will need: 2 boxes (6 oz each) stuffing mix, 1/2 cup butter, 2 celery stalks diced, 1 onion diced, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tbsp fresh sage chopped, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 2 tbsp parsley, 1 egg (optional, for a firmer bake)

How to make it: 1. Cook celery and onion in butter 6 minutes until soft. 2. Add broth and bring to a simmer. 3. Stir in the stuffing mix and fresh herbs. 4. Stir in the egg if using and spread in a buttered dish. 5. Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes until the top is crisp.