Easy Cornbread Stuffing

Name: Easy Corn Bread Stuffing
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 medium onions, diced; 3 cups celery, diced; 4 large hatch chilies, roasted, peeled, and chopped (can use poblano peppers for less spice); 2 sticks butter; 6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (✅ ); 3 packages cornbread stuffing (or gluten-free cornbread prepared per box instructions, then dried in the oven or on the counter)

Easy Corn Bread Stuffing is a southwestern dressing that combines roasted hatch chile peppers, cornbread stuffing mix, along with vegetable broth for a simple, delicious vegetarian stuffing recipe the whole family will love! Gluten-free instructions included.

I was introduced to this Southwestern Cornbread Stuffing by my brother-in-law, Bill, who is from New Mexico. It’s one of my favorites – combining the spice of New Mexico peppers with cornbread baked into a delicious dressing, which is a favorite for the vegetarians in my family.

Easy Cornbread Stuffing being shown in a large blue roasting pan.

Every Thanksgiving you’ll find both Old Fashioned Sage Dressing along with this cornbread version. They are both delicious in their own ways.

How to Make

One of my biggest tips to starting any recipe is grabbing the equipment and ingredients right off the bat. I always list the ingredients in the order that they will be used to help keep you moving through this recipe as quick as possible.

Equipment

cutting board
chefs knife
measuring cups
liquid measuring cup
large skillet
roasting pan

Ingredients

3 medium onions, diced
3 cups celery, diced
4 large hatch chilies, roasted, peeled, and chopped
2 sticks butter
6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
3 packages of cornbread stuffing **

**To make this recipe gluten-free you’ll need to make a couple of boxes of gluten-free cornbread then cut it up and let it dry on the counter for a couple of days or try our gluten-free cornbread muffin mix and bake it in a cake pan, then dry.

Step 1: Preheat the oven.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Sauté onions and celery.

In a large skillet, melt the butter. Then, add the onions and celery. Cook until onions are translucent.

Next, add the roasted peppers and broth. Bring to a boil.

How-To Roast Peppers:

Preheat oven to 450°F.
Lightly oil peppers.
Roast for 25 minutes.
Place peppers into a bowl and cover with a lid or plate. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Carefully peel the skin off the peppers. It should come off easily.
Cut tops off peppers and carefully remove seeds. Use as desired.

PRO TIP: Use poblano peppers for less spice versus the hatch chilies.

Breadcrumbs being shown in a large blue roasting dish.

Step 3: Blend the ingredients.

Add cornbread stuffing packages to a roasting pan.

Carefully add the heated broth and onion mixture to the stuffing. Mix lightly.

Ingredients for homemade cornbread stuffing being shown in a large blue roasting pan.

Step 4: Bake.

Bake for 45 minutes uncovered. Serve hot.

FAQs:

What is the difference between stuffing and dressing?

Typically, the difference is the way each one is cooked. Stuffing is usually cooked “stuffed” into a turkey while dressing is cooked in a separate pan from the turkey. In my family, we go back & forth between calling it stuffing and dressing since I very rarely cook “stuffing” in the turkey.

Can you freeze cornbread stuffing?

You will want to freeze cornbread stuffing uncooked. Prep the entire recipe then cover with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to cook, remove from freezer and allow the dish to completely thaw. Then, bake for 45 minutes at 350°F. Great option if you are looking to make this recipe ahead of time.

Can I freeze stuffing once it’s cooked?

Yes! Let the stuffing thaw then reheat in the oven at 350° for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through. I spread the stuffing out onto a baking sheet to rewarm, but you could use a baking pan as well.

A blue roasting pan being shown filled with homemade stuffing.

More Holiday Ideas:

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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