Virginia Ham and Apple Stuffing
A savory stuffing with Virginia ham, apples, and herbs, perfect for holiday meals or special occasions. This american-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs dried bread cubes, (diced) Virginia ham, (medium, diced) apples for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups dried bread cubes
- 1 lb (diced) Virginia ham
- 2 (medium, diced) apples
- 1 (medium, diced) onions
- 2 stalks (diced) celery
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp (fresh, chopped) thyme
- 1 tsp (fresh, chopped) sage
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix bread cubes, ham, apples, onions, celery, garlic, thyme, sage, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
- Step 2: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the mixture and sauté for 5-7 minutes until the onions are softened and the ham is heated through.
- Step 3: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, then bake for 10-15 minutes until golden and crisp on top.
- Step 4: Let rest 10 minutes before serving, ensuring the stuffing is warm and the flavors have melded.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Virginia Ham and Apple Stuffing take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 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 Virginia Ham and Apple 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 dried bread cubes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Virginia Ham and Apple 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 Virginia Ham and Apple 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 Virginia Ham and Apple 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
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.