Few things say “holiday comfort” quite like the aroma wafting from a ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking dish full of old-fashioned cornbread dressing. Fluffy cornbread mingles with golden sautéed onions and celery, all brought together with rich broth and classic spices. My heart practically does a happy dance, every time this dish hits the table, because it’s the true centerpiece of family gatherings—no giblets required! Everyone always asks for seconds, drawn in by its soft, custardy middle and that irresistible golden top (especially when drizzled with a little gravy or topped with tart cranberry sauce). This recipe is pure nostalgia, and I promise it’ll be the star of your holiday table, too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’m convinced the magic of this cornbread dressing lives in its simple, well-chosen ingredients. Each one plays an important role, from adding savory depth to creating the very best texture. Here’s what you need to make every bite sing.
- Cornbread: The backbone of the recipe! Make sure it’s a day old for the best texture, as slightly dry cornbread soaks up all those wonderful flavors.
- Bread Crumbs: Regular sandwich bread crumbled up—this softens the dish and gives a delicate, tender base.
- Onion: Sautéed until sweet and fragrant, onion is classic for a reason—it’s the soul of dressing!
- Celery: Its fresh crunch cooks down into pure savoriness, balancing the richness of the dish.
- Margarine (or Butter): Adds rich flavor and gets veggies meltingly tender. Butter gives an even deeper taste if you prefer.
- Eggs: These bind everything together, holding the casserole in perfect, moist slices.
- Chicken Broth: Soaks every crumb with savory goodness and prevents dryness.
- Poultry Seasoning: The signature herbal warmth you always associate with Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.
- Salt & Pepper: The simplest seasonings jazz up every other ingredient and make flavors pop.
How to Make ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking
Step 1: ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking Dish
This is where the magic begins! Preheat your ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking dish (pretty much any casserole dish will do, but I love my grandmother’s old ceramic pan for this). A slick of butter or nonstick spray helps make sure not a crumb gets left behind and the edges come out beautifully golden, not stuck-on.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Celery
Over medium heat, melt margarine (or go full Southern with butter, if you like) in a skillet. Add the chopped onion and celery, letting them get soft and translucent. Stir often! Your kitchen will smell fabulous, and you’re building the base of flavor that makes this dish special.
Step 3: Combine the Dry and Moist Ingredients
Find a big bowl and pile in the cornbread and bread crumbs. Add the sautéed veggies, eggs, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper, then pour in that golden chicken broth plus the melted butter. Mix it up gently until it’s “soupy”—don’t worry, it should be very moist at this stage. This is what makes your cornbread dressing so luscious after baking in a ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking pan!
Step 4: Pour and Cover
Transfer your mixture into your prepared ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking dish. Smooth the top and cover with foil (or a lid, if your dish has one). Pop it into the oven for 35 minutes so everything steams and bakes together, turning soft and creamy in the center.
Step 5: Uncover and Finish Baking for a Crisp Top
After 35 minutes, remove the cover and slide it back into the ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking pan for another 10 minutes. This “uncovered” finish is how you get that mouthwatering golden top and the faintest, most delicious crusty edge—everyone’s favorite part!
How to Serve ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking
Garnishes
You can take this humble comforting dish and dress it up a bit! Scatter a shower of fresh chopped parsley right before serving for color and freshness. A few thinly sliced green onions on top add lovely bite and a pop of green, and don’t forget a pat of butter melting over the warm dressing as a finishing touch, straight from the ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
Side Dishes
Cornbread dressing is classic beside roasted turkey, of course, but it’s just as welcome with baked ham or herb-roasted chicken. Ladle over silky turkey gravy or offer cool cranberry sauce for a sweet-tart contrast. If you want the full Southern spread, serve with collard greens, roasted sweet potatoes, and a basket of homemade rolls—heaven!
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, bake in individual ramekins for adorable single servings, or use a cast iron skillet for that dramatic, rustic presentation. Spoon out the dressing with a round ice cream scoop for perfect mounds on each plate. Sometimes, I even nestle in a few halved, hard-boiled eggs for color and extra protein before sliding the ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking pan into the oven.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, just scoop the cooled dressing into an airtight container. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to four days—making it perfect for midnight fridge raids or next-day turkey sandwiches. Be sure to let the ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking dish cool completely first to keep it moist but not soggy.
Freezing
Cornbread dressing freezes surprisingly well! Wrap leftovers tightly in foil and plastic wrap, or spoon portions into freezer-friendly containers. It’ll keep for two to three months. When the craving strikes, just thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat using the baking instructions (and maybe a splash of broth to refresh the texture) in your ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
Reheating
For the best results, preheat your ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking pan, and cover with foil to gently rewarm the dressing until hot throughout (about 20–30 minutes). This method keeps everything soft and creamy on the inside but lets you uncover it for the last few minutes to crisp up that top all over again.
FAQs
Can I make cornbread dressing in advance?
Absolutely! You can assemble the whole thing a day ahead, cover tightly, and pop in the fridge. When you’re ready, bake as instructed, straight from the ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking dish—you may just need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s very cold.
What if my dressing turns out too dry?
This classic dressing should be moist, almost pudding-like. If yours is a bit dry, next time just add a touch more broth before it goes into the ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking pan. You can also drizzle a little warm broth over the top when reheating.
Can I add meat or other vegetables?
Absolutely! While this recipe is timeless on its own, you can stir in cooked, crumbled sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or even chopped boiled eggs for more flavor and heartiness. Just keep an eye on the moisture before it enters the ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking pan—you want it soupy, not stiff.
What’s the difference between dressing and stuffing?
Great question! Stuffing is typically baked inside the bird, soaking up juices as it cooks, while dressing (like this) is prepared in a ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking dish on its own. Both are delicious, but dressing gives you that coveted crispy top and more control over texture.
Can I use homemade broth instead of canned?
Definitely! Homemade broth will only make this dish taste more special and rich. Just be sure to taste for salt and adjust seasonings after mixing the ingredients—you may need a little less added salt compared to store-bought broth.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a tried-and-true Southern holiday classic, you can’t go wrong with this ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking recipe. Sharing it with friends and family never fails to bring smiles and requests for seconds. I can’t wait for you to taste that first cozy bite—and to start your own delicious memories with this dish!
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ven to 325°F and lightly grease a baking Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This old-fashioned Cornbread Dressing recipe is a nostalgic dish that brings the comforting flavors of cornbread, onions, and celery together in a delightful side dish perfect for holidays or any family gathering.
Ingredients
Cornbread:
- 2 cups crumbled cornbread
Additional Bread:
- 1 cup bread crumbs
Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
Others:
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Seasonings to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a baking dish.
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt butter and sauté onion & celery until soft.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cornbread, bread crumbs, eggs, melted butter, broth, and seasonings.
- Combine Well: Stir until the mixture is moist and slightly soupy.
- Bake: Pour into a dish, cover, and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes for a crisp top.
Notes
- You can customize the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
- For a richer flavor, you can use turkey broth instead of chicken broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
