Apple, Celery, and Herb Focaccia Stuffing

Apple, Celery, and Herb Focaccia Stuffing ingredients

• 1.5 lbs focaccia bread, preferably day-old, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups yellow onions, chopped
• 2 cups celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 0.75 tsp black pepper

How to make Apple, Celery, and Herb Focaccia Stuffing

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread the 1.5 pounds of 1-inch focaccia cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
2. Bake the focaccia cubes for 20-25 minutes, or until they are lightly toasted and dried out; this prevents a soggy stuffing. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
3. Increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
4. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the 2 cups of chopped yellow onions and 2 cups of chopped celery, and sauté for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
5. Stir in the 2 cups of diced Granny Smith apples, 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped sage, 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped thyme, and 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the apples to slightly soften.
6. Transfer the sautéed vegetable and apple mixture to a very large mixing bowl. Add the toasted focaccia cubes to the bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the 3 cups of chicken or vegetable broth, 2 lightly beaten large eggs, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and 0.75 teaspoon of black pepper.
7. Pour the liquid mixture over the focaccia and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together with a large spoon or your hands, ensuring all the bread cubes are moistened evenly. Be careful not to mash the bread.
8. Transfer the stuffing mixture into the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. You can press it down lightly if you prefer a firmer stuffing.
9. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Then, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from over-browning and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the stuffing is golden brown on top and heated through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
10. Remove the stuffing from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the stuffing to set slightly.

More recipes you might like

Browse related collections

Cook smarter with Recipe Genius

Generate recipes, build meal plans, and create shopping lists with Recipe Genius.