Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apple and Pancetta

Every dish is better when served in cute individual portions. Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apple and Pancetta are no different. They are easy to pick up and crispy around the edges. Who doesn’t love that?

I’ve been making Stuffing Muffins at Thanksgiving for years. What started out as a solution to my lack of 9 X 13 baking dishes has become a house-hold sensation. Not only does each person get a perfect portion of stuffing, but every single serving has the toasted edges that provide crunchy contrast to an otherwise soft dish.

Plus Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apple and Pancetta are cute, and cuteness matters.

You can make stuffing muffins with any variety of stuffing, yet I’m sharing MY favorite stuffing recipe. This mix of cornbread, white bread, fresh herbs, crispy pancetta, toasty pecans, and sweet apples is a stuffing-lovers dream. BIG bold flavors enveloped in a moist buttery texture… Mmmmmmm. It goes perfect with the Apple Cider Turkey Gravy I made earlier this week.

Make stuffing as you normally would, then simply pack it into well buttered muffin tins and bake. To remove the muffins, run a butter knife around the edges and pop them out.

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Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apple and Pancetta

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apple and Pancetta—serving up stuffing in a whole new way!

Servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

• 7 cups cornbread cubes about 3/4 inch, store-bought is fine
• 7 cups crustless firm white sandwich bread cubes about 3/4 inch
• 1/2 cup butter divided
• 6 ounces diced pancetta
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 large crisp apple peeled and chopped
• 1 cup pecan pieces
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 4 teaspoons dried rubbed sage
• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 large eggs beaten
• 2 cups low-salt chicken broth

Instructions

• Cut and lay bread cubes out the day before to dry. (Or dry them out in the oven for 5 minutes before starting.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the bread cubes in a large bowl.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sauté until brown. Then add the onions and cook to soften—2-3 minutes. Add the apples and soften another 3-5 minutes. Finally add the herbs and pecans. Toss and remove from heat.
• Add 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper; stir to blend. Add vegetable mixture to bread and toss.
• Whisk the eggs and broth together and pour over the bread mixture. Toss and let it stand 5 minutes.
• Generously butter twelve nonstick muffin cups. Spoon 1/2 cup of stuffing mixture into each muffin cup. Press to compact. Mound another 1/2 cup of remaining stuffing mixture over stuffing in each muffin cup, pressing to hold shape. Bake muffins until golden, about 22-25 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Using small knife, loosen muffins and pop out of pan.

Notes

These can be made 1 day ahead. Rewarm uncovered in microwave in 30-second intervals, or covered loosely with foil in 350°F oven, about 15 minutes. Loosen from muffin pan with a butter knife.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin, Calories: 434kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 104mg, Sodium: 768mg, Potassium: 266mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 530IU, Vitamin C: 4.2mg, Calcium: 118mg, Iron: 2.7mg

Course: Muffins, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

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By the way, Thanksgiving is TOMORROW… if you happened to forget.

If you’ll be running to the market later this evening to gather all your ingredients, here are a few recipes that could really help a last-minute cook:

Roasted Cornish Game Hens (Ahem, you don’t have time to thaw a turkey. *wink*)

Apple Cider Gravy

Apple Celery Root Gratin

Pomagranate Apple Cranberry Relish (Have you picked up on my apple theme?)

Bourbon Hazelnut Sweet Potatoes

D%@! Good Corn Pudding

Haricot Vert and Micro Taters

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Frosting

Brandy Apple Mini Pies

Fresh Plum Cake

More Thanksgiving Recipes from the Web:

Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries Bacon and Pecans ~ TidyMom

Crispy Lemon Brussels Sprouts ~ What’s Gaby Cooking

Balsamic Glazed Roasted Squash ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen

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