Stuffing balls are holiday legend around here. A favorite that make it onto every holiday table. Rolled into balls and baked (or put in the Air Fryer - check out our new Air Fryer version of this recipe), a classic stuffing gets golden brown and crisp on the outside. We think this recipe is so long overdue that we put it into our first video! Check it out here.
My husband's Mom discovered a version of this dish in a local recipe pamphlet in Norfolk, Virginia in the 80s. She made it, adapted it, and over the years it became a holiday staple. The stuffing balls come out of the oven crisp and delicious, but Frank swears that, like all the best holiday food, they are even better the next day.
If any make it to leftover status, he can be found the day after Thanksgiving eating them cold straight out of the fridge.
The great news is that stuffing balls are not only easy but really fun to make. The recipe is simple and uses any store-bought mix as a base. Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing Mix has always been a go-to, but we tested it with others with great success. (Trader Joe's Herbed Cornbread Stuffing Mix was also a hit.) Any dried breadcrumbs or cubes will work.
It's an easy enough holiday recipe to delegate to little kitchen helpers or other visitors who want to lend a hand. But if making them for a crowd, it would be best to double (or triple) the recipe. It's nearly impossible to eat just one.
We were so excited to share this long overdue family favorite, that we decided it was just the right thing for the very first Inquiring Chef video. Check it out below!
More Holiday Recipes
- How to Roast a Turkey Ahead
- Focaccia and Bacon Stuffing
- Creamy Butternut Squash and Spinach Casserole
- Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
- Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Ham and Cheese Rolls with Honey Mustard Glaze
- The Simplest Way to Roast a Turkey
- Turkey Gravy with White Wine and Sage
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Brie and Balsamic Honey
Favorite Tools
📖 Recipe
Stuffing Balls
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- Half Sheet Pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup Butter
- 2 stalks Celery, chopped
- 1 Onion, chopped
- ½ cup Parsley, chopped
- 1 Egg
- 8 oz Herb Stuffing Mix or Dried Bread Cubes (we use Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing Mix)
- 1 10 oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F (204° C).
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add celery, onion and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until vegetables are soft, 4 to 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat egg and combine with stuffing mix, cream of mushroom soup and cooked vegetables.
- Form into 12 even balls, pressing the mixture together firmly between your hands. Place on a greased sheet pan. Bake until the tops are golden brown and crisp, about 12 minutes.
- Serve hot out of the oven and enjoy!
Nutrition
Needless to say we had a lot of fun making the video. Though it's amazing what chaos we can create at the kitchen table in one all-too-brief nap window.
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Joy
I've been following your blog since you announced your pregnancy, but I think this is my first time commenting. Molly and Clara are so cute and sweet.
I've never even heard of stuffing balls before, but these look delicious! I love your video. You did a great job with your first video. Isn't nap time beautiful?
- Joy, The Vegetarian Mommy
Jess
Joy - thanks so much for following along and for your sweet note. Nap is a seriously, seriously beautiful thing. 😉 I'm so excited to discover your site. I was a vegetarian for many years and I'm always looking for new ideas - it's so great to "meet" you!
Joy
Your reply made me smile! Thanks, Jess. I especially appreciate your comment about my blog. Since I'm just starting out, the encouragement is really nice. Oops! Nap time just ended. Time to go!
Danielle @ So Munch Love
Jess, these look to die for. I am such a sucker for stuffing that I could definitely see eating a few too many of these. I also love your video. So cute! Thanks for sharing!
Jess
Thanks so much for reading Danielle - I'm a total sucker for stuffing too!
Jennifer @ Crockpot Gourmet
Jess, the video is awesome!! great job and the photos are amazing too!! Looks delicious!
Jess
Thanks so much Jennifer! It was so fun seeing you the other week!
Barbara
I know from the ingredients they are amazing. They look like 2 bites apiece. Do you ever make them smaller with a scoop perhaps. Just to pop them in your mouth. Have you ever tried cream of chicken or does the mushroom add more complexity
Jess
I have never made them smaller, but I love that idea! We may have to try that! I have done it with cream of chicken and cream of celery. Both were good, but the mushroom does give complexity and a nice savory flavor that really complements the herbs in the stuffing mix!
Stancia Markham
Hi! I am right in the middle of the recipe & have a question.....do i add the seasoning packet that comes with the stuffing mix? Looks so yummy! We can't wait to try this. I just don't want to wreck it by doing the wrong thing!
Jess Smith
Hi Stancia - it won't hurt the recipe either way. I'd vote to leave it in for added flavor, but we often make them without and love the classic flavor. Either way will work! Happy Thanksgiving!
KIM
Hi Jess, we have made these several times and they are a favorite of my family. Sometimes I add chooped dried cherries to the recipe. I am wondering though, can these be made ahead of time? Kim
Jess Smith
Oh yum - that's a delicious addition! Yes! We've made them ahead of time. I like to form them but not bake them until right before serving. Cover them tightly to prevent them from drying out, but then they should be fine stored in the fridge for up to 14 hours before you bake them.