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Savory Cheesy Garlic Herb Stuffing Bake

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A comforting, crowd-pleasing stuffing bake loaded with garlic, fresh herbs, and three kinds of cheese. Perfect for holidays or cozy dinners, this easy side dish delivers crispy edges and a gooey, cheesy center in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf day-old crusty bread (about 1 lb), cut into 1-inch cubes (sourdough or French recommended; use gluten-free bread if needed)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or oat/almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (skip if dairy-free)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon (optional)
  • 1/3 cup chopped green onions (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. If bread is fresh, toast cubes on a baking sheet at 300°F for 10 minutes until slightly dry and golden.
  3. Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Pour melted butter over and toss gently to coat.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and broth until smooth and frothy. Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  5. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Add mushrooms, bacon, or green onions if desired.
  6. Pour egg mixture over buttered bread cubes and gently fold until evenly coated. Let sit for 5–10 minutes to absorb.
  7. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread stuffing mixture evenly and press down lightly.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  9. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until top is golden brown and edges are crispy. For extra crispiness, broil for 2 minutes at the end.
  10. Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Toast bread cubes for best texture. Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded. Let bread soak in egg mixture for at least 5–10 minutes before baking. Assemble ahead and refrigerate overnight if desired. For gluten-free, use GF bread; for dairy-free, use plant-based cheese and milk. Add extra broth if stuffing seems dry before final bake.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing bake, cheesy stuffing, garlic herb stuffing, holiday side, Thanksgiving, Christmas, easy side dish, comfort food, vegetarian option, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/savory-cheesy-garlic-herb-stuffing-bake-easy-holiday-side-recipe/