Easy Paula Deen Southern Cornbread Stuffing Recipe That’s Magical

Southern cornbread stuffing represents the heart of comfort food, embodying rich culinary traditions passed through generations.

Warm memories of family gatherings emerge with each savory bite of this classic dish.

Soft, crumbly cornbread mingles with crisp bread pieces, creating a textural symphony that delights hungry guests.

Fragrant herbs and vegetables weave their magic, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable side dish.

Butter and stock infuse deep, complex flavors that speak to southern cooking’s soulful essence.

Home cooks treasure this recipe for its ability to bring people together around the table.

The blend of textures and seasonings promises a mouthwatering experience that feels both nostalgic and exciting: gather your ingredients and let the magic begin!

Why Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing is Perfect for the Holidays

• Create Comfort on a Plate: This Southern cornbread stuffing brings warm, homemade goodness that wraps you in cozy Southern hospitality with every single bite.
• Master a Texture Explosion: The recipe brilliantly combines crispy cornbread, crunchy crackers, and soft white bread, delivering a multilayered texture that dances between crumbly and moist.
• Unlock Authentic Southern Flavor: Packed with traditional seasonings like sage and poultry seasoning, this stuffing captures genuine Southern cooking techniques that make family gatherings memorable and delicious.
• Quick Crowd-Pleasing Technique: With straightforward preparation and just one hour forty-five minutes total cooking time, this stuffing offers an easy yet impressive side dish perfect for holiday meals or Sunday dinners that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Key Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing

• Cornbread: Southern-style base with rich, slightly sweet flavor.
• White Bread: Provides additional texture and helps bind the stuffing.
• Saltine Crackers: Adds extra crunch and helps absorb moisture.

• Celery, Onion: Classic stuffing vegetables that provide depth and savory foundation.
• Butter: Helps sauté vegetables and adds rich, smooth flavor.

• Chicken Stock: Keeps stuffing moist and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Eggs: Acts as a binding agent to hold stuffing together.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste.
• Sage, Poultry Seasoning: Traditional herbs that give classic southern stuffing its signature taste.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) and get ready for some southern comfort.

Step 2: Bread Crumble Party

• Crumbled cornbread
• Dried white bread slices
• Crushed saltine crackers

Set this bread mix aside for magic later.

Step 3: Sauté Veggie Goodness

• Chopped celery
• Chopped onion

Cook these veggies until they turn soft and see-through, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 4: Flavor Explosion

• Chicken stock
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sage
• Poultry seasoning

Give it a taste and adjust seasonings to your heart’s desire.

Step 5: Egg Magic

Crack and beat 5 eggs, then fold them into the bread mixture. Mix until everything looks deliciously combined.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the stuffing into a greased baking pan. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top turns golden and the center is cooked through.

Tips for Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing

• Rescue Day-Old Bread: Stale white bread transforms into a magical stuffing foundation, preventing soggy textures and enhancing overall flavor complexity.
• Gentle Mixing Mastery: Stop stirring cornbread ingredients the moment they combine, protecting its delicate, crumbly texture from becoming dense and heavy.
• Strategic Seasoning Approach: Taste before overloading with salt, pepper, sage, and poultry seasoning. Flavors concentrate during baking, so start conservatively.
• Liquid Control Technique: Drizzle chicken stock incrementally, monitoring moisture levels. Aim for a perfectly balanced texture that's moist yet not waterlogged.
• Baking Precision Matters: Watch stuffing develop a golden-brown crust after 45 minutes, ensuring a firm center that signals perfect doneness without compromising texture.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing

• Freeze Method: Seal completely cooled stuffing in heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Stack flat for maximum space efficiency. Label bags with date and contents for easy tracking. Frozen stuffing maintains best quality for two months.
• Refrigerate Method: Store in shallow, airtight glass containers to preserve texture and prevent moisture absorption. Keep refrigerated for maximum three days. Position containers on middle shelves away from raw meats to prevent cross-contamination.
• Reheat Method: Sprinkle few tablespoons chicken broth over stuffing before reheating to restore moisture. Cover with aluminum foil, bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F using kitchen thermometer for food safety. Stir gently halfway through reheating to ensure even warming.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing

• Herb Garden Stuffing: Replace sage with a medley of fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley for a vibrant, aromatic flavor profile that brings freshness to the classic recipe.
• Sausage Infusion Stuffing: Brown mild Italian sausage and mix it into the bread base, adding depth and richness to the traditional Southern cornbread stuffing.
• Mushroom Harvest Stuffing: Sauté chopped cremini or shiitake mushrooms with the celery and onions, introducing an earthy umami dimension to the stuffing's overall taste.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cornbread Stuffing: Dice fresh jalapeños and fold them into the mixture, creating a zesty Southern-style stuffing with a gentle kick of heat that complements the cornbread's sweetness.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing

Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing emerges as more than just a holiday classic – it’s pure culinary comfort.

Southern kitchens whisper generations of love through each carefully layered ingredient.

Heritage recipes like this connect families across dining tables with warmth and tradition.

Each spoonful carries memories of grandmother’s wisdom and kitchen magic.

Home cooks can recreate this soulful dish that bridges past and present with simple, hearty ingredients.

Savor this Southern treasure, share its delicious story, spark conversations around your table, and invite others to experience this timeless recipe that defines comfort and connection.

Readers, your adventure starts now – like, comment, and spread the Southern hospitality!

Paula Deen Southern Cornbread Stuffing Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing brings Southern comfort to holiday tables with classic ingredients and rich, savory flavors. Homemade cornbread mingles with aromatic herbs, creating a hearty side dish that connects generations through traditional Southern cooking.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 7 slices oven-dried white bread
• 1 sleeve saltine crackers
• 1 cup self rising cornmeal
• ½ cup self rising flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon optional sage
• 1 tablespoon optional poultry seasoning
• to taste freshly ground black pepper

Fresh Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 large chopped onion
• 9 eggs (7 beaten, 2 for cornbread)
• ¾ cup buttermilk

Liquid and Fat Ingredients:

• 7 cups chicken stock
• 8 tablespoons (½ cup) butter
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Gather all bread varieties – cornbread, white bread slices, and saltine crackers – and crumble them into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a rustic bread foundation.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium temperature, melt butter until it’s golden and shimmering, then gently sauté chopped celery and onions until they become translucent and aromatic, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Transfer the softened vegetables directly onto the crumbled bread mixture, allowing their warm essence to integrate with the dry ingredients.
4. Introduce chicken stock gradually, ensuring even moisture distribution across the bread base. Sprinkle salt, freshly ground black pepper, sage, and poultry seasoning, tasting and adjusting the flavor profile as needed.
5. Whisk 5 eggs until they’re uniformly blended, then fold them thoroughly into the bread and vegetable mixture, creating a cohesive and rich stuffing base.
6. Prepare a baking dish by generously coating it with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully transfer the stuffing mixture, spreading it evenly.
7. Position the stuffing in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C), allowing it to bake for 45 to 60 minutes. The top should transform into a golden-brown crust, with the interior becoming firm and fully cooked.

Notes

• Grab day-old bread for superior stuffing texture, preventing soggy results and ensuring maximum flavor absorption.
• Gently fold cornbread ingredients to maintain a light, crumbly consistency that melts in your mouth.
• Taste seasonings before final mixing, letting sage and herbs develop their rich, aromatic profile without overwhelming the dish.
• Slowly incorporate chicken stock, creating a perfect moisture balance that keeps the stuffing deliciously tender yet structured.
• Bake until golden edges emerge and center sets, transforming simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing side dish that screams home-cooked comfort.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 398 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 120mg