A healthy gluten-free cornbread stuffing recipe with bacon and butternut squash for Thanksgiving. Seasoned with smoked paprika, sage and a pinch of nutmeg.
A few years ago, while I was at the gym setting up my weights for BodyPump my friend, a fellow pumper stopped me to introduce me to her husband. “This is Katie, the stuffing lady.” Light dawned in his eyes as if he knew what she meant. I on the other hand, had no idea what these people were talking about, but I said “So nice to meet you” as if I was in on it. Then she explained that they had been making my Pecan Cranberry Stuffing with Chicken Sausage for Thanksgiving and that it had become their family’s official stuffing recipe. I don’t think I have ever had such a huge compliment. I haven’t posted a stuffing recipe since. How does one top that? #honored
So it was with humble trepidation that I decided to make another stuffing for this November. I knew it had to be good to live up the expectations of what someone known as The Stuffing Lady would be making. #nopressure And I knew it would have to be completely different from the other one. So, cornbread stuffing seemed like the obvious choice.
I also wanted to make it gluten free so that everyone at the table would be able to enjoy it. So many families these days have at least one person who is avoiding gluten. So, I made my own gluten-free cornbread. Then I added in butternut squash and bacon to make it more exciting. Celery of course, a bit of nutmeg and sage. And then finally I tweaked and tinkered with the seasonings and moisture levels. A lot. I tested and retested this recipe.
So we have basically been eating this recipe for a month. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every batch makes 12 servings, so it has been on our plates like every day. Jase and I have been warming it up for breakfast and then laying a yolky egg on top and a hit of sriracha, oh baby! And I can officially say that it is worthy of the Stuffing Lady’s seal of approval.
Is anybody at your Thanksgiving table avoiding gluten this year?
Do you make the same stuffing recipe every year?
Have you ever had left-over stuffing for breakfast?
Gluten-free Cornbread Stuffing for Thanksgiving with butternut squash and bacon.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 ½ cups reduced sodium chicken broth, divided
- 1 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 large eggs
- 1 batch day old gluten-free skillet cornbread (1.9 lb)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Melt butter with oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook until starting to brown and soften, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in sage, smoked paprika, salt, thyme, pepper and nutmeg, and cook, stirring until fragrant, 30 to 90 seconds. Add 2 cups broth, squash and celery. Increase heat to high and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a simmer, and cook until the squash and celery are just barely tender, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, about 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Cut cornbread into cubes. Spread on a sheet pan and bake until starting to brown and crisp, 22 to 28 minutes. Allow to cool. (Makes 8 cups)
- Whisk eggs in a large bowl with the remaining ½ cup broth. Stir in squash mixture. Gently stir in cornbread, bacon and parsley. Coat a 9 by 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake until steaming hot all the way through, 30 to 35 minutes (for stuffing straight from the refrigerator add 15 minutes.) Remove foil, and continue baking until the top is browned, 20 to 25 minutes longer.
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I love the smoked paprika and butternut squash – would be a nice addition to our Thanksgiving table!
Jeanette recently posted…Homemade Ghost Chile Carrot Hot Sauce Recipe
Thank you Jeanette.
Katie recently posted…kale feta bread
Forget about the turkey, I just want to dive into that pan. Gorgeous vivid colors, too!
sue/the view from great island recently posted…Bourbon Glazed Meatloaf
What a great compliment Sue. Thank you so much!
Katie recently posted…vermont fall salad with cheddar and bacon
Twitter: RunninSrilankan
on November 14, 2014 at 9:26 am
Katie – I don’t remember the time I made dressing – my daughter cannot gluten-load, so I just skip the stuffing all together – but we <3 bacon and we <3 butternut squash and this dressing would so make our Christmas table happy! 🙂 So happy in fact, my daughter might think of you as the stuffing lady too! 😉
That would be so awesome. Ha ha.
Katie recently posted…simple saffron brown rice {vegan and gluten free}
I think I should try making my gluten-free vegan stuffing with cornbread (and smoked paprika) this year! Phenomenal flavors!
Rebecca recently posted…Friday Finisher 11/14/14
Yay! Do it Rebecca!
Katie recently posted…salted bourbon caramel sauce
Bacon + butternut squash in stuffing. Looks like a slam dunk!
Rebecca recently posted…5 Reasons Popcorn is the Perfect Snack
I can not get enough squash. It is all I want to eat. And who can say no to bacon?
Katie recently posted…cranberry maple apple crumb pie
Twitter: thespicyrd
on November 14, 2014 at 12:24 pm
This looks amazing!!! You will have to check out my post on Stone Soup next week, and that will answer your question about eating stuffing for breakfast 🙂 Can’t wait to make this!
EA-The Spicy RD recently posted…Herb Roasted Turkey Breast in 5 Easy Steps + 10 Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes
Really? Ha ha, can’t wait EA. Thanks for stopping by.
Katie recently posted…thursday things ~ link love
This looks incredible! Stuffing is absolutely my favorite Thanksgiving dish! I’ll have to try this one. Pinning this for later 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Why I Don’t Exercise to Lose Weight
I love the stuffing the most too Elizabeth. It is always the first thing I go for.
Katie recently posted…mulled wine
Twitter: healthynibs
on November 14, 2014 at 9:58 pm
Hah! I love that you are known as the stuffing lady! This one looks like a real treat!
Lisa recently posted…Five-Ingredient Fridays: Pomegranate Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Too funny right? I was so confused.
Katie recently posted…chocolate swirl pumpkin pie
That is quite the compliment! I’ll have to go try your Famous stuffing recipe! This one looks amazing too! Mmm bacon. Pinned!
Lindsey recently posted…Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcakes {Homemade Marshmallow Frosting}
I agree! Thank you and for pinning Lindsey.
Katie recently posted…gluten free skillet cornbread
Hey Katie! I’m currently on your side of the world (in LA!) and no joke- I literally tried cornbread stuffing for the first time ever and am in love- I then ordered a cornbread and turkey sandwich and think that warrants a move to the US.
Arman recently posted…Lucky Smart Snax Review and Giveaway
We love our cornbread here that’s for sure. Hope you’re having fun in Cali Arman.
Katie recently posted…cranberry maple apple crumb pie
Oh man! This looks/sounds/I bet is delicious! I need to convince my MIL to let me bring this to Thanksgiving! Selfishly, because it will be gluten free and I never get stuffing at Thanksgiving anymore. Unselfishly, because I bet everyone would think this is heavenly. Thank you for sharing!
Stephanie recently posted…Send Me Gluten Free Box Review + Giveaway!
Yes, I think everyone can get on board with more bacon. GF or not. Ha ha. Enjoy your meal Stephanie.
Katie recently posted…cranberry maple apple crumb pie
Twitter: wrytoasteats
on November 18, 2014 at 11:52 am
GIRRRRL YESSSSSSSS!!!!!! loving on this so hard, aka pinning everywhere!
Christine recently posted…Easy Brown Sugar Blueberry Crumble Bars
Thank you my dear!
Katie recently posted…brussels sprouts with hazelnuts, oregano and sage
I’m in love with this stuffing and I’ve never tasted it before. Amazing list of ingredients, Katie. Love the idea of this stuffing for breakfast! Hope you guys had a fantastic Thanksgiving!
Bill recently posted…Potatoes au Gratin