If there’s one holiday side dish my family looks forward to every year, it’s these RIDICULICIOUS homemade stuffing balls. The same savory flavor as traditional stuffing, just shaped into perfect golden portions that everyone loves. My kids actually check to make sure they’re on the table — it’s just not Thanksgiving or Christmas without them!
These stuffing balls use my easy homemade stuffing recipe with one small change — a bit more broth to make sure they hold together perfectly. Whether you bake them in a dish or roll them into balls, you’ll end up with soft centers and crisp edges that taste like pure holiday comfort.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect portion size: No scooping — just grab a golden stuffing ball!
- Same flavor as classic stuffing: Butter, onion, celery, poultry seasoning, and sage bring all the cozy notes.
- Crispy on the outside, soft inside: The texture in these homemade stuffing balls is exactly what makes everyone reach for seconds.
- Make-ahead friendly: Roll them, chill, and bake before serving. Great for saving oven space on busy holidays.
- Not just for Holidays!-Serve these all year long with chicken gravy right on top!
Ingredients For Homemade Stuffing Balls
- 8 cups bread cubes (day-old works best)
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- 1 tablespoon ground sage
- ¾ cup chicken broth (or turkey broth)
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- ½ cup finely diced celery
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep the veggies: Finely dice onion and celery — a food processor makes quick work of it.
- Cook: Melt butter in a saucepan, add celery and onion, and cook until tender and fragrant.
- Season the bread: In a large mixing bowl, toss bread cubes with poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: Pour the melted butter mixture over the bread cubes and toss well to coat.
- Moisten: Drizzle the chicken broth evenly, stirring as you go. The bread should be moist but not soggy.
- Form the balls: Roll mixture into 12 stuffing balls and place in the prepared dish or directly on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until lightly golden on top.
Family tip: These homemade stuffing balls can also be baked as a casserole if you prefer — just place the mixture into the dish instead of shaping into balls. Bake 25 minutes covered, 15 minutes uncovered.
Make It for a Crowd (or Just a Few)
This recipe makes about 12 stuffing balls, perfect for a family meal. But it’s easy to scale up or down depending on your gathering size!
Make-ahead tip: Form the stuffing balls a day before serving, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake just before mealtime for fresh, crispy edges and soft centers.
For a small dinner: Halve the recipe to make 6 stuffing balls. Use about ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken broth instead of ¾ cup.
For a large family gathering: Double the recipe for 24 stuffing balls. Bake them on two parchment-lined baking sheets or in a large buttered roasting pan. You may need to increase baking time by 5–10 minutes to ensure the centers are warmed through and golden.
What to Serve With Stuffing Balls
These pair perfectly with roast turkey, chicken, or pork tenderloin. Add mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole for a classic holiday meal everyone will rave about.
FAQ
Can I make stuffing balls ahead of time?
Yes! You can form the stuffing balls up to a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking cold from the fridge.
Can I freeze stuffing balls?
Absolutely. Bake, cool completely, and freeze in an airtight container. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 15–20 minutes.
What kind of bread works best?
A mix of white and wheat bread gives the best flavor and texture. Day-old bread is ideal because it absorbs the butter and broth beautifully.
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Homemade Stuffing Balls
Ingredients
- 8 cups bread cubes
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- 1 tablespoon ground sage
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup onion finely diced
- ½ cup celery finely diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 2-quart dish or line a baking sheet.
- Dice onion and celery (use a food processor if desired).
- Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté onion and celery until tender.
- In a large bowl, combine bread cubes with poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the butter mixture over the bread and toss to coat evenly.
- Drizzle chicken broth over the top and mix gently until moistened.
- Shape into 12 stuffing balls and place in the dish.
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until golden