20 Stuffing Recipes That Steal the Thanksgiving Spotlight

Stuffing is a very important part of the Thanksgiving meal, just like the turkey is. These recipes are packed with flavor and use many different ingredients, from savory herbs to seasonal vegetables. They are the perfect side dish to go with your holiday dinner. With these great ideas, you can make a stuffing that is just as memorable and special as the main course for your Thanksgiving celebration.

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Table of Contents

1 Italian Stuffed Calamari Recipe in Tomato Sauce
2 Classic Butter Herb Stuffing
3 Cranberry Apple Sausage Stuffing
4 The BEST Stuffing (With Italian Sausage)
5 Air Fryer Stuffing
6 Homemade Stuffing
7 Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing
8 Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing
9 Easy Classic Gluten-free Stuffing
10 Smoked Oyster Stuffing
11 Smoked Stuffing
12 Gluten Free Stuffing
13 How to Make Stuffing (From Scratch)
14 Easy Herb Stuffing
15 Sourdough Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing
16 Best Vegetarian Stuffing Casserole
17 Paleo Butternut Sausage Apple Stuffing
18 Instant Pot Stuffing
19 Slow Cooker Turkey Stuffing

Italian Stuffed Calamari Recipe in Tomato Sauce

A white plate with stuffed calamari in tomato sauce, accompanied by a fork and knife. A piece of bread is dipped into the sauce. Nearby, a pot with more sauce and calamari. A floral napkin is partially visible. — Italian Stuffed Calamari Recipe in Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Cucina By Elena.

Tender squid is filled with a flavorful stuffing and served in a rich tomato sauce. This Italian Stuffed Calamari is a unique and interesting dish for a holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Stuffed Calamari Recipe in Tomato Sauce

Classic Butter Herb Stuffing

A rectangular white casserole dish filled with golden-brown bread stuffing, featuring small bread cubes mixed with herbs and spices. A serving spoon is placed on the side. Fresh rosemary sprigs are visible in the background. — Classic Butter Herb Stuffing. Photo credit: Modern Honey.

This stuffing is made with a buttery base and fragrant herbs for a rich, savory flavor. The Classic Butter Herb Stuffing is a light and aromatic side that pairs beautifully with turkey.
Get the Recipe: Classic Butter Herb Stuffing

Cranberry Apple Sausage Stuffing

A baked dish in a rectangular white casserole dish, featuring a mix of sweet potatoes, cranberries, diced squash, and crumbled sausage. The ingredients are baked until golden, creating a colorful and hearty meal. — Cranberry Apple Sausage Stuffing. Photo credit: Modern Honey.

Savory sausage is mixed with sweet cranberries and tart apples for a standout stuffing. This Cranberry Apple Sausage Stuffing is a hearty and balanced dish for your Thanksgiving feast.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Sausage Stuffing

The BEST Stuffing (With Italian Sausage)

A white casserole dish filled with baked stuffing, featuring chopped nuts, herbs, and bread pieces. A spoon rests inside, and ingredients like fresh herbs and mushrooms are scattered around the dish. — The BEST Stuffing (With Italian Sausage). Photo credit: On My Kids Plate.

Italian sausage adds a deep and rich flavor to this hearty and savory stuffing. The BEST Stuffing is made with aromatic herbs and vegetables for a wonderful meal.
Get the Recipe: The BEST Stuffing (With Italian Sausage)

Air Fryer Stuffing

A plate of food featuring a serving of stuffing, cooked carrots, and what appears to be roast beef with potatoes. The dish is garnished with herbs and served on stacked plates with a fork beside it. — Air Fryer Stuffing. Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

Stuffing is cooked in an air fryer to get a crispy, golden outside and a tender inside. This Air Fryer Stuffing is a quick and easy method for making a holiday side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffing

Homemade Stuffing

A white rectangular baking dish filled with freshly baked stuffing made from bread cubes, chopped celery, onions, herbs, and seasoning. The top is golden brown with visible pieces of toasted bread and vegetables. A sprig of thyme and a napkin are beside the dish. — Homemade Stuffing. Photo credit: I Heart Eating.

This stuffing is made from scratch with fresh bread, herbs, and broth for a simple, classic flavor. Homemade Stuffing is a flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Stuffing

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing

A baking dish filled with golden brown stuffing, topped with a serving spoon. Surrounding it are small bowls containing green beans, cranberry sauce, and gravy, placed on a rustic wooden table. — Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing. Photo credit: Foxes Love Lemons.

A traditional stuffing is made with hearty bread and a perfect balance of comforting herbs. Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing is a classic that pairs beautifully with holiday turkey.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing

Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing

Close-up of a dish featuring diced, golden-brown bread cubes mixed with herbs and seasoning, creating a savory stuffing or dressing texture. — Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing. Photo credit: Little Nonni.

This classic dressing features fresh herbs and toasted bread for a comforting and perfect texture. Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing is a simple and timeless side for your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing

Easy Classic Gluten-free Stuffing

A rectangular white dish filled with baked stuffing featuring cubed bread, diced carrots, celery, and onions. A serving spoon rests in the dish, and fresh sage leaves garnish the top. A checkered cloth is partially visible on the side. — Easy Classic Gluten-free Stuffing. Photo credit: Grain Free Table.

Gluten-free bread is used to make a stuffing that is full of flavor from fresh herbs. This Easy Classic Gluten-free Stuffing ensures everyone can enjoy a traditional-tasting side dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Classic Gluten-free Stuffing

Smoked Oyster Stuffing

A white baking dish filled with golden-brown bread stuffing, mixed with herbs, cooked onions, and celery. The stuffing looks savory and crispy on top, ready to be served as a side dish. — Smoked Oyster Stuffing. Photo credit: Champagne Tastes.

Smoked oysters are added to the stuffing to give it a unique and smoky flavor. This Smoked Oyster Stuffing is a savory dish that honors traditional stuffing flavors in a new way.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Oyster Stuffing

Smoked Stuffing

A casserole dish filled with golden-brown stuffing, featuring cubes of bread mixed with diced celery, onions, and herbs, garnished with chopped parsley. — Smoked Stuffing. Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

This stuffing is prepared with a smoky flavor that gives it a unique and rich twist. Smoked Stuffing is a light and flavorful option for anyone wanting to try something new.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Stuffing

Gluten Free Stuffing

A baking tray filled with a stuffing mixture, including bread cubes, chopped celery, walnuts, onions, and cranberries. Three serving spoons are placed in the tray, ready to serve. — Gluten Free Stuffing. Photo credit: Organically Addison.

A stuffing made without gluten is full of rich flavors and herbs to complement the turkey. This Gluten Free Stuffing is a careful preparation so everyone can enjoy a holiday side.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Stuffing

How to Make Stuffing (From Scratch)

A white bowl filled with bread stuffing, featuring chunks of bread, chopped celery, and herbs. A sprig of fresh thyme garnishes the dish. A patterned orange napkin and a silver spoon are placed beside the bowl. — How to Make Stuffing (From Scratch). Photo credit: In the Kitch.

Making stuffing from scratch is a simple process that uses a few basic ingredients for a great result. Learning How to Make Stuffing helps you create a side that shines at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Stuffing (From Scratch)

Easy Herb Stuffing

A white casserole dish filled with a savory bread pudding, featuring chunks of bread, pieces of celery, and herbs like rosemary. The dish is on a striped cloth, and the ingredients appear baked and lightly browned. — Easy Herb Stuffing. Photo credit: The Soccer Mom Blog.

This simple stuffing focuses on the powerful flavors of fresh herbs for a delicious and fuss-free side. Easy Herb Stuffing is a straightforward recipe that complements Thanksgiving turkey perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Easy Herb Stuffing

Sourdough Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing

A white baking dish filled with bread stuffing, garnished with a sprig of rosemary. The stuffing includes pieces of bread, herbs, and chopped vegetables. Holiday accents like cranberries and greenery are placed around the dish on a white surface. — Sourdough Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing. Photo credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

Tangy sourdough bread is blended with sweet cranberries, apples, and crunchy walnuts for a complex stuffing. This Sourdough Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing offers both savory and sweet flavors.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing

Best Vegetarian Stuffing Casserole

A white plate with a serving of bread stuffing containing chunks of bread, vegetables, and herbs. A fork rests on the plate. Fresh herbs and whole mushrooms are scattered around the plate on a light wooden surface. — Best Vegetarian Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: Cucina By Elena.

A casserole is packed with seasonal vegetables and flavorful herbs for a satisfying meat-free stuffing. This Best Vegetarian Stuffing Casserole is a great option for guests with different dietary preferences.
Get the Recipe: Best Vegetarian Stuffing Casserole

Paleo Butternut Sausage Apple Stuffing

A white baking dish filled with a colorful roasted medley of butternut squash, apples, walnuts, and cranberries, garnished with sage leaves. The dish is surrounded by mini pumpkins, fresh sage, and wooden accents on a white table. — Paleo Butternut Sausage Apple Stuffing. Photo credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

Sweet butternut squash, savory sausage, and tart apples are combined for a paleo-friendly stuffing. This Paleo Butternut Sausage Apple Stuffing is a healthier option that is still hearty and filling.
Get the Recipe: Paleo Butternut Sausage Apple Stuffing

Instant Pot Stuffing

Sliced roasted turkey breast placed neatly on a white platter next to a serving of stuffing made with bread, celery, and spices. The dish appears to be prepared for a traditional meal. — Instant Pot Stuffing. Photo credit: Reipce This.

An Instant Pot is used to make delicious stuffing quickly, locking in all the flavors for an easy meal. This Instant Pot Stuffing is a convenient and flavorful option for a busy holiday.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Stuffing

Slow Cooker Turkey Stuffing

A bowl filled with a chopped bread stuffing mixture containing chunks of bread, visible herbs, and bits of cooked vegetables, set on a wooden table. — Slow Cooker Turkey Stuffing. Photo credit: Recipe This.

Stuffing is prepared in a slow cooker, which helps meld the flavors together for a stress-free side. This Slow Cooker Turkey Stuffing is an easy and flavorful preparation for your Thanksgiving celebration.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Stuffing