Pepperidge Farm Stuffing with sage and onion was classic Thanksgiving fare in my impressionable years. In fact, it wouldn’t have been Thanksgiving without it!
There are some things that never change and Pepperidge Farm stuffing with sage and onion is one of them.
Growing up, Mom always made Pepperidge Farm stuffing, even though it was dressing, and it was only when I left home and met Manservant that I started making our beloved tamale stuffing.
Mom arrives Tuesday for Thanksgiving and I decided this year to stick with the classics.
Yes, that would be Pepperidge Farm! My mother even offered to make it!
Why I Love Pepperidge Farm Stuffing
I love that Pepperidge Farms stuffing reminds me of home.
I love that it’s so easy to make and so dependable.
I love that it has crispy edges and a moist interior.
Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix is also really adaptable, so you too, can make your own recipes with Pepperidge Farm stuffing.
I love that some things never change and I love that my kids love it too.
Ingredients for Pepperidge Farm Stuffing
12 oz bag Sage and Onion Pepperidge Farm Cubed Stuffing
Butter- salted or not
Onions, Celery and Mushrooms are standard but if you have a favorite vegetable my guess is that it will work. Reconstituted dried mushrooms such as porcinis, chanterelles, or shitakes also add great flavor.
Chicken broth (I use Better Than Bouillon and mix my own)
Minced fresh Italian parsley and sage
Poultry seasoning- Make sure this is fresh and not left from last year. Thyme, sage, rosemary and marjoram are standard in this spice mixture, so if you don’t have it feel free to add in some of these.
How To Make Pepperidge Farm Stuffing with Sage and Onion
Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 13 x 9 pan.
Heat butter in a large skillet. Add onion, celery and mushrooms and any other veggies you like. Feel free to add in some dried, but reconstituted mushrooms also. They give great flavor. Onions can also be in the form of leeks or scallions.
Saute until softened.
Heat chicken stock until boiling in a large pot or in the microwave. In a large bowl add Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix and sauteed vegetables, poultry seasoning, parsley and fresh chopped sage if more is desired. Stir well. Spread into pan. Dot with butter.
If you would like to add dried fruit such as cranberries, raisins, dates or apricots, soak them in hot water for a few minutes until soft. Stir them in with the sauteed vegetables. Fresh chopped apples also add or even dried apples that have been softened are good, too.
Chopped, toasted nuts such as walnuts or pecans may also be added.
Bake a minimum of 30 minutes covered with foil for moist stuffing. If stuffing is cooked and you want to keep it warm, continue to keep it covered. For crispy stuffing bake at least 1 hour uncovered.
To satisfy the crispy vs the moist stuffing lovers she covered it the first 30 minutes and uncovered it for the last 30 minutes which meant the middle was still moist and the edges were crispy.
To make ahead: Cover unbaked stuffing mixture in pan. Refrigerate for up to one day. Bake as directed but add time if stuffing is not at room temperature.
FAQ’s
What’s the difference between stuffing and dressing?
Stuffing is what goes in the bird and dressing is what stays out.
Dressing is cooked in a pan and is outside of the turkey.
So technicalities aside, I always call this well seasoned Pepperidge Farm dressing recipe stuffing, because when I think of dressing I think of salad.
And we all know that salad is the least important part of the traditional Thanksgiving feast!
How many people does a 12 ounce bag of Pepperidge Farm stuffing serve?
This depends on how many add-ins are in the stuffing. I usually figure about 8-10 servings are in a 13×9 pan. But if you have folks that love stuffing it might disappear faster.
Can stuffing be frozen?
I have personally not tried this but I am told it can be done. It may be frozen uncooked and then baked when needed. Do not thaw before baking and heat until the interior reaches 165 degrees. It can also be frozen cooked; thaw and then reheat with a bit of broth so it doesn’t dry out.
Why is is called dressing instead of stuffing?
The term “dressing” didn’t appear until the 1850s, when Victorian nobles took offense at the vulgar word “stuffing.”
I’ve seen lots of reviews of store bought stuffing. I’ll be honest.
I love this stuffing, but if it can’t be found the Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing is also a winner.
I do also love StoveTop cornbread stuffing but my childhood years lie with Pepperidge Farm stuffing.
Homemade stuffing is also at the top of my list, but let’s get real here.
Sometimes we all need a break and even though stuffing is pretty easy to make, everyone needs a shortcut. This year, this Pepperidge Farm stuffing is mine.
Tips For Using Boxed Stuffing
If you like your sage stuffing moist, well, that’s what gravy is for!
Just remember that if you have an old bag in the pantry, get a fresh one for the new season.
Herbs and seasonings lose their flavor as they get older.
Want to really jazz your stuffing up? Add these fried in browned butter sage leaves as a garnish and everyone goes crazy. (They come with a great squash recipe!)
They might even ignore the stuffing!
I always bake my stuffing in a 13 x 9 pan but feel free to use whatever size pan you like. We like ours crispy and if I pack it into a smaller pan it remains moist without even trying.
So a few notes to the cook: My mom always bought the big bag. We always buy the stuffing cubed.
She always sautes celery, mushrooms and onion to add in and she bakes this uncovered in the oven because we prefer our stuffing crispy.
When she remembered she also stirred in one or two eggs to make the stuffing extra moist.
I don’t do that, but never question Mom!
Yes, you can add sausage, Italian, breakfast or chorizo, but good Jewish households never added sausage.
However stirring in raisins or cranberries or fennel or apricots, or apples makes stuffing so about you!
Stuffing can also be baked in muffin cups and then served individually. That way everyone gets a little crispy and a little moist and no one fights for the corners and sides!
Why is dressing the key to turkey?
The answer lies in the first bite. Manservant is very good at smoking turkey.
But every now and then if you are a white meat lover like I am, you sometimes get a dry bite. Hmmm.
That’s when a bite of turkey and stuffing make things so much more palatable. Just saying!
And top that turkey and stuffing with gravy and no one can tell that the turkey might not be too moist!
Stuffing is also the key to the morning after breakfast.
Heat that stuff up and plop on a fried egg. Get the fork and dive in.
This is one reason I make stuffing throughout the year. Yep, breakfast with stuffin’ is a winner.
You can even make stuffing patties like I did in this delish Kentucky hot brown “sandwich.”
Eating stuffing straight from the fridge is also something I’ve been known to do.
So whether you call it stuffing or dressing, use cornbread or whole wheat, sausage or not, I hope you agree that stuffing is the key to turkey.
As for the best way to make it, I’ll leave that up to you!
Beer, Bacon, Cheese and Thyme Dressing
Tamale Cornbread Dressing with Tamales and Chorizo
I’d love to hear if you make this recipe! Please share a review or rate the recipe,
and be sure to tag me on social!
Pepperidge Farm Stuffing with Sage
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30-60 Minutes
- Total Time: 80 Minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top/Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Pepperidge Farm stuffing is the key to a great dinner. Always a hit and a time saver!
Ingredients
1 12 oz bag Sage and Onion Pepperidge Farm Cubed Stuffing
4 T butter
1 1/4 c diced onion
1 c chopped celery
8 oz sliced mushrooms
2 c chicken broth (I use Better Than Bouillon and mix my own)
1/4 c minced fresh Italian parsley
1 t poultry seasoning
1 T butter (to dot over the top of the pan)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 13 x 9 pan.
Heat 4 T butter in a large skillet. Add onion, celery and mushrooms. Feel free add in some dried, but reconstituted mushrooms also. They give great flavor.
Saute until softened.
Heat chicken stock until boiling in a large pot. Add stuffing and sauteed vegetables, poultry seasoning and parsley. Stir well. Spread into pan. Dot with butter.
Bake a minimum of 30 minutes for moist stuffing. If stuffing is cooked and you want to keep it warm, for moist stuffing it should be covered. For crispy stuffing bake at least 1 hour uncovered.
To make ahead: Cover unbaked stuffing mixture in pan. Refrigerate for up to one day. Bake as directed but add time if stuffing is not at room temperature.
Need a Few More Thanksgiving Ideas?
My cranberries are always a hit!
And don’t forget these maple glazed cookies!
Want all my Thanksgiving recipes in one spot?
I even added more!
Valerie
Sunday 12th of November 2023
Your recipe sounds really good. I want to make it for Thanksgiving. I do have 1 question. When you say to add some reconstituted mushrooms does that mean more mushrooms other than the 8 oz that is being sauteed with onions and celery?
Abbe
Monday 13th of November 2023
I often throw in a handful of dried mushrooms such as porcinis, morels, or chanterelles. Totally optional, but if you do make sure they are soaked in hot water first until they become soft. And you can use the water along with the broth to give extra flavor to the dressing.
Pam
Friday 22nd of November 2019
It looks delicious! Mom always added eggs to it, making it moist and good. I basically make it your way. The Hot Brown---I grew up in Louisville and enjoyed that at the Brown Hotel many times, never with stuffing but I just might have to try that now. Thanks!
Susan
Thursday 21st of November 2019
I love Thanksgiving traditions! I still make my mother's stuffing which is like meal in itself with the addition of a small amount of ground beef and always stuffed inside the turkey. The sage and onion croutons are a must because that's what my mother used too.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch)
Wednesday 20th of November 2019
This recipe is perfect! Have a fabulous Thanksgiving Abbe.
Abbe
Thursday 21st of November 2019
Thanks Lea Ann. Can never ignore those family traditions!
angiesrecipes
Tuesday 19th of November 2019
TBH, I am not really into the turkey thing, but I ADORE all sorts of different stuffings :-)) This looks like a winner to me, Abbe.
Abbe
Thursday 21st of November 2019
Stuffing is so good. And we all know great minds think alike!