Oven-Baked Sage and Celery Bread Stuffing
A classic Thanksgiving side with toasted bread cubes, sautéed celery and onions, and fragrant fresh sage baked to golden perfection. This american-inspired thanksgiving (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs day-old white bread cubes, unsalted butter, medium celery stalks, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 8 cups day-old white bread cubes
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 medium celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread 8 cups of day-old white bread cubes evenly on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes until lightly golden and crisp. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 2 diced celery stalks and 1 diced medium yellow onion, sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add the toasted bread cubes, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs and 2 cups vegetable broth. Pour this mixture over the bread and vegetables, gently tossing to moisten evenly but not soggy.
- Step 5: Transfer the stuffing mixture to a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Sage and Celery Bread Stuffing take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Oven-Baked Sage and Celery Bread Stuffing?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep day-old white bread cubes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Sage and Celery Bread Stuffing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Baked Sage and Celery Bread Stuffing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Oven-Baked Sage and Celery Bread Stuffing vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Cooked it for my mom's birthday, and she said it was better than her mom's recipe.
- ★★★★★
The best stuffing I've ever made. Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made it for my in-laws and they raved about it.