My hands down favorite dish for Thanksgiving is stuffing. I could eat stuffing alone and be completely satisfied. One thing I have noticed over the years is that each member of my family has there own unique recipe and each one has a different, unique taste. Again, I have not developed my own recipe for stuffing but I have tried several different recipes trying to find a combination that suits me or one that I can expand to make my own.
There are few necessary characteristics. One is taste, really isn’t this what we look for in any dish. I enjoy unique, different flavors. However, if you veer too much from tradition on Thanksgiving, you may lose the interest of your guests. The next elements I look for are: ingredients and ease of preparation. These two really go hand and hand. Thanksgiving is a daunting meal, and if you are preparing the entire meal, you don’t what spend hours hunting down a large number of ingredients or preparing one dish. The following recipes have at least one of the elements and great flavor to boot!
Several years ago, I made Giada’s Italian Sausage Stuffing. This was my first attempt at stuffing. The preparation is fairly simple, and the ingredients are easy to find. This stuffing does have a unique flavor as a result of the Italian sausage. I was skeptical that my family would not be fond of this twist on a classic Thanksgiving dish but it was a hit. If you love Italian food, don’t hesitate to try this stuffing which combines the traditional flavor with hint of Italian notes. I paired this stuffing with Giada’s Stuffed Turkey Breast Recipe. If you are wanting a change from the traditional turkey, I highly recommend making a stuffed turkey breast. The turkey takes much less time to cook. In addition, a stuffed turkey has a more complex flavor with less complex preparation. Generally, the result is a more moist breast than a traditional whole turkey.
Another favorite ingredient of mine is cheese. I love cheese and the more cheese the better. If you are a fan of cheese and mushrooms, try this Cheesy Mushroom Stuffing. Again I was skeptical but this cheesy stuffing really was hit. One disclaimer, the ingredient list is longer and the prep is more involved. It is important to have that in mind before putting this dish on your Thanksgiving menu. The preparation is not complicated. Although this recipe has more involvement, it is well worth the effort. I don’t believe any of this stuffing was left over.
My latest attempt at stuffing is my favorite. I made this Bacon Parmesan Stuffing. Most of the ingredients you probably already have at home, but if you don’t, they are easy to find at any grocery store. This recipe takes very little time, and it easy to prepare. This stuffing can also been put together a few days ahead of time then cooked on Thanksgiving which is a great perk for cooking on a chaotic day. The flavor is amazing, and it does include one of my favorite all-time ingredients, bacon! Who doesn’t love bacon? This stuffing is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.
I really love all of these stuffing recipes. There are positive attributes to each of the recipes. I recommend trying any of these dishes if you are looking for a new twist on your stuffing without scary any guests away. Enjoy!
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