Oh, my darlings! Have you ever had the pleasure of sinking your teeth into a perfectly golden brown, crispy stuffing ball? They’re a bit like little pockets of pure comfort food, filled with all the flavors of your favorite Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. You can pop them in your mouth as a delicious appetizer, add them to a hearty soup, or even serve them as a side dish alongside a juicy roast. Trust me, these stuffing balls are guaranteed to steal the show! They’re so easy to make, even a culinary newbie like me can whip up a batch in a jiffy. So, grab your apron, put on some happy tunes, and let’s get stuffing!

Stuffing Balls: A Flavorful Feast In Every Bite

INGREDIENTS

For the stuffing balls:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup chicken broth
6 cups cubed bread (from a loaf or bag)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the breading:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs

DIRECTIONS

Get ready to get your hands dirty!

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and green pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the thyme, sage, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, cooked vegetables, beaten eggs, chicken broth, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.
4. Use your hands to shape the stuffing mixture into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. In three separate shallow dishes, place the flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. Dip each stuffing ball into the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Make sure each ball is fully coated.
6. Place the breaded stuffing balls back on the baking sheet.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks:

For a crispier exterior, you can bake the stuffing balls for a few extra minutes.
You can also fry the stuffing balls in a pan with oil for a crispy treat.
Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and herbs to customize your stuffing balls to your liking.
For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken broth and replace it with vegetable broth.
If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought stuffing mix instead of homemade. Just follow the package directions.
Serve these delicious stuffing balls with your favorite dips, sauces, or side dishes. I personally love them with a dollop of cranberry sauce or a drizzle of honey mustard.

Storage:

Leftover stuffing balls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
You can also freeze the unbaked stuffing balls for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen balls to an airtight container and store in the freezer. To cook frozen stuffing balls, simply bake them for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy your delicious stuffing balls, my lovely friends!