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grandma s family stuffing recipe

Grandma's Hearty Stuffing

This classic family stuffing recipe combines savory meats with perfectly textured bread for a dish that's crispy on top and moist in the middle. Versatile enough to serve inside a turkey or as a standalone side dish, it's the ultimate comfort food that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch celery chopped into small chunks
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 medium white onion chopped
  • 1 loaf white bread torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1-2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 pound sausage
  • 2 cups milk
  • sage dried or fresh, to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Casserole dish
  • Large mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Tear the white bread into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef (or turkey) and sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat when finished.
  4. While the meat cooks, chop the onion and celery into small chunks.
  5. Sauté the vegetables in the same skillet until just softened but still slightly crisp.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the torn bread pieces, cooked meats, and sautéed vegetables.
  7. Add the beaten egg and milk to the mixture, stirring gently until all bread is moistened but not soggy.
  8. Season generously with sage, salt, and pepper to taste.
  9. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until the top develops a golden-brown crust.

Notes

This stuffing can be cooked inside a turkey instead of a casserole dish. If stuffing a turkey, ensure the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and substitute with 2 cups of sautéed mushrooms or 1 cup of chopped chestnuts.
Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results to maintain the crispy top.