Let’s be honest, we’ve all got a box of Stove Top stuffing sitting in the pantry. It’s a classic for a reason, right? It’s dependable and tasty. But what if I told you that little red box holds the potential for something truly special? Something way beyond a simple side dish.
We are taking that humble box and turning it into the star of the show. Get ready for one of the most delicious Stove Top Stuffing Recipes you will ever try. We are making savory, juicy stuffing meatballs packed with turkey and sausage. They are amazing!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is incredibly easy to make. If you can make boxed stuffing, you can definitely make these. It’s a really fun way to get creative in the kitchen without a lot of stress. It’s a simple process that gives you a very impressive result.
It is also a super budget friendly meal. You are using a box of stuffing and some ground meat, which are both easy on the wallet. It’s a great way to stretch a meal and create something filling and satisfying for the whole family without breaking the bank. We love good stuffing recipes that are affordable.
The versatility is another huge plus. Are they an appetizer? Yes! Serve them on a platter with some toothpicks and a side of cranberry sauce for dipping. Are they a main course? Absolutely. Plate them up with mashed potatoes and green beans for a full meal. This is one of those Boxed Stuffing Recipes Ideas that works for any occasion.
And let’s talk about the flavor. The combination of the savory stuffing, the lean ground turkey, and the rich chicken sausage is just fantastic. Each bite is packed with that comforting, holiday taste we all love, but in a fun, new format. It is a real crowd pleaser for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
The beauty of these Stovetop Stuffing Recipes is how simple the ingredient list is. You probably have some of these items on hand already. Here is what you will need to gather.
- ½ cup yellow onion, minced
- 1 rib celery, very finely diced
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup water
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 (6 oz.) box turkey Stovetop stuffing
- 1 lb. ground turkey, 85% lean
- Salt/pepper, to taste
- ½ lb. ground chicken sausage
- 1 large egg, whisked
A quick note on a few key ingredients. Make sure you mince the onion and dice the celery very, very finely. This helps the texture of the meatballs stay smooth so they roll together easily. For the chicken sausage, a regular breakfast style sausage works wonderfully here, but a mild Italian chicken sausage would also be a great choice.
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make the best stuffing balls of your life? Let’s walk through it together. These instructions will guide you through one of my favorite Stove Top Stuffing Recipes.
Step 1: Prepare The Veggies And Stuffing Mix
First things first, preheat your oven to 400° F. This ensures it’s nice and hot when your meatballs are ready to bake.
Now, grab a medium saucepan and melt half of your butter, so that is two tablespoons, over medium heat. Add your minced onions and finely diced celery to the pan. You will want to soften them by stirring frequently for about five to six minutes. You’re not trying to brown them, just get them tender and fragrant.
Once the veggies are soft, add the rest of the butter, the chicken broth, and the water to the saucepan. Turn the heat up and bring the mixture to a boil. As soon as it boils, pour in the stuffing mix. Give it a good stir to combine everything, then reduce the heat to low. Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the stuffing mixture to a large bowl to cool for a couple of minutes.
Step 2: Combine The Meatball Mixture
While the stuffing is cooling slightly, season your ground turkey with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning! Add the seasoned turkey to the large bowl with the stuffing.
Next, add the ground chicken sausage and the whisked egg to the bowl. The egg is super important as it acts as a binder, helping your meatballs hold their shape beautifully.
Now it’s time to mix. You can use a spoon, but honestly, using your clean hands is the best way to get everything evenly combined. Just be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough. Mix just until everything is incorporated.
Step 3: Roll And Bake The Stuffing Balls
Lightly grease a light colored baking sheet. A lighter colored pan helps prevent the bottoms of the meatballs from browning too quickly.
Start rolling the mixture into meatballs. You are aiming for about one and three quarters inches in size. A cookie scoop can be a great tool here to get them all uniform. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, they should be cooked through. To get that lovely golden brown top, turn your broiler on to 450° F and broil for just two minutes. You have to watch them very carefully during this time. Broilers work fast, and they can go from golden to burnt in seconds!
Step 4: Serve And Enjoy
Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let them cool for just a minute before serving. These are fantastic served with all the traditional fixings. Think mashed potatoes, a savory gravy, green beans, and of course, cranberry sauce. This is one of those stuffing recipes that feels like a holiday feast.
They also make a wonderful appetizer. Just stick toothpicks in them, drizzle with a bit of gravy, and serve with a side of cranberry sauce for dipping. It is a festive and delicious bite perfect for any gathering. It’s one of the best Boxed Stuffing Recipes Ideas for parties.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is a breeze. First, let the stuffing meatballs cool completely to room temperature. This is important to prevent condensation from forming in the container, which can make them soggy.
Once cooled, place them in an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. When you are ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat them in a few ways. The microwave works in a pinch, but for the best texture, I recommend reheating them in the oven or an air fryer at 350° F until they are warmed through. This helps them crisp up a bit on the outside.
These also freeze beautifully! To freeze, arrange the cooled meatballs on a baking sheet in a single layer and place them in the freezer for about an hour, or until firm. This is called flash freezing and it prevents them from sticking together. Transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. You can reheat them directly from frozen in the oven.
Tips
Want to make these Stovetop Stuffing Recipes even better? Here are a few little tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.
First, as mentioned before, make sure your onions and celery are very finely diced. If the pieces are too big, it can be tricky to get the meatballs to roll smoothly and hold their shape.
Don’t overmix the meat mixture. When you combine the stuffing, turkey, sausage, and egg, mix just until everything comes together. Overworking ground meat can result in tough, dense meatballs instead of light and tender ones.
Feel free to experiment with the sausage. While I love a simple chicken sausage, you could easily use mild or even spicy Italian sausage for a different flavor profile. Pork sausage would also work well here, offering a richer taste.
You can easily prepare these ahead of time. Roll the meatballs and place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake them. This is a great time saver if you are prepping for a party or a big dinner.
Serving this with a great gravy is a must. A simple chicken gravy or a classic brown gravy both pair perfectly. And don’t forget the cranberry sauce! The sweetness is a wonderful contrast to the savory meatballs.
Conclusion
So there you have it! A truly fun and delicious way to use that box of stuffing. This is more than just a recipe; it is a whole new way to think about a pantry staple. It proves that with a little creativity, you can turn something simple into something really special.
These stuffing meatballs are perfect for a weeknight dinner, a holiday feast, or a party appetizer. I hope this becomes one of your new favorite Stove Top Stuffing Recipes. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Ground Meat?
Yes, you certainly can. While ground turkey keeps them a bit leaner, you could substitute ground chicken or even ground pork. Ground beef would also work, but it will create a much richer, bolder flavor, more like a traditional meatball.
Do I Have To Use Sausage?
The sausage adds a lot of flavor and moisture, so I highly recommend it. However, if you prefer not to use it, you can simply replace the half pound of sausage with an additional half pound of ground turkey. You might want to add a little extra seasoning, like some sage or thyme, to make up for the flavor from the sausage.
Can I Make This Gluten Free?
Absolutely. To make this recipe gluten free, you would need to use a gluten free boxed stuffing mix. Several brands offer this option. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten free, but always double check the labels on your chicken broth and sausage just to be sure.
What’s The Best Way To Serve These For A Party?
For a party, I love serving them warm in a slow cooker set to the ‘warm’ setting. You can pour a little bit of gravy or chicken broth in the bottom to keep them moist. Set out a bowl of cranberry sauce for dipping and some toothpicks, and you have the perfect self serve appetizer for your guests. This is one of the best Boxed Stuffing Recipes Ideas for easy entertaining.
Savory Stove Top Stuffing Meatballs
These savory, juicy stuffing meatballs, packed with turkey and chicken sausage, transform a simple box of Stove Top stuffing into a delicious main course or appetizer. This recipe is easy, budget-friendly, and a wonderful way to enjoy comforting flavors in a fun new format.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400° F. In a medium saucepan, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced onions and finely diced celery, stirring frequently for five to six minutes until softened.
- Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter, chicken broth, and water to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately pour in the stuffing mix. Stir to combine, reduce heat to low, remove from heat, and transfer to a large bowl to cool slightly.
- Season the ground turkey with salt and pepper. Add the seasoned turkey, ground chicken sausage, and whisked egg to the bowl with the stuffing mixture. Mix gently until all ingredients are just incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Lightly grease a light-colored baking sheet. Roll the mixture into meatballs, aiming for about one and three-quarters inches in size. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each.
- Bake for 15 minutes. To achieve a golden brown top, turn your broiler to 450° F and broil for exactly two minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the meatballs cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy with mashed potatoes, gravy, or cranberry sauce as a main dish or appetizer. For a party, stick toothpicks in them, drizzle with a bit of gravy, and serve with a side of cranberry sauce for dipping.
Notes
Make sure your onions and celery are very finely diced for the best meatball texture.
Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
You can substitute the chicken sausage with mild or spicy Italian sausage, or even pork sausage for a different flavor.
These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Serve with gravy and cranberry sauce for a complete, comforting meal or appetizer.
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