Chef John's stuffing muffins are filled with a nugget of thick, sausage-filled country gravy — they're a must-try for stuffing fanatics.
Preparation Time
50 mins
Cooking Time
55 mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Calories
259 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Meanwhile, combine bread cubes, parsley, sage, and thyme in a large bowl.
Step 2
Wet your finger and make a big hole in the center of each muffin, poking down pretty far but stopping about 1 inch from the bottom of the pan. Place about 2 tablespoons chilled gravy into each hole, centering it in the hole the best you can. Reserve remaining gravy for another use.
Step 3
Let cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, then carefully remove and serve.
Step 4
Make the gravy: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook and stir until browned and very crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Whisk in flour until it combines with butter and sausage fat to create a roux; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add green onions; cook and stir just until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 5
Pour in milk and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Continue to cook and stir until nice and thick. Stir in cayenne, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 more minute, then remove from the heat.
Step 6
Transfer gravy to a bowl and let cool to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes. Wrap and refrigerate until cold and thick, at least 2 hours, or until needed.
Step 7
Make the muffins: Set a baking pan on the lowest rack of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Generously butter a 12-cup muffin tin with 1 tablespoon butter.
Step 8
Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook and stir until onion just starts to turn translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Step 9
Pour boiling broth mixture over bread mixture and stir until combined. Mix in eggs. Fill the prepared muffin cups to the top with stuffing mixture, then go around and evenly divide remaining stuffing on top of each muffin, piling it up nice and high.
Step 10
Dampen your hands and mold stuffing for each muffin over the top to cover the gravy center. Generously brush the tops with melted butter.
Step 11
Bake on the middle rack of the preheated oven until muffins are firm and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 cups dry bread cubes
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup diced onion
5 cups chicken broth
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
3 large eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
4 tablespoons chopped green onions
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
6 ounces sweet Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
