Stuffing is a must with a roast dinner and this easy homemade Sage and Onion Stuffing takes just 5 minutes to prepare and can be done ahead of time. Perfect for big events like Christmas Day. Making it in a big dish or roll it into balls, this easy stuffing recipe will take your roast dinners to the next level.
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If you always buy stuffing in a box, then you HAVE to try this easy sage and onion stuffing recipe.
It is much easier than you think and with just 5 minutes prep time, it's not that must longer than preparing a box of store bought stuffing. Simply soften some onions in butter and then mix them with breadcrumbs, sage and egg.
Making it yourself means you can control the amount of seasoning that goes into it and you can flavour it to your liking too.
It's also a great way to use up stale bread by making your own breadcrumbs.
Have you tried our Air Fryer Stuffing Balls?
Looking for some other recipes that use breadcrumbs? Why not try our Salmon Fishcakes, Stuffed Butternut Squash, Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake, Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms or Oven Baked Onion Rings?
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Why You Will Love It
- Easy - This sage and onion stuffing recipe is just as easy as making a box of stuffing from the supermarket. Seriously, it is THAT easy!
- Delicious - I find that store bought stuffing can be a little lacking in flavour, and just tastes like salt.
- Can be made in advance - You can make up the balls in advance and then keep them in the fridge until you are ready to cook them. A great way to get ahead on Christmas Day.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Butter - This is what the onion is softened in and it helps to give them a really rich flavour and get them nice and brown.
- Onion - This gives lots of texture and flavour to the stuffing. We used a brown onion, however you could use shallots if you prefer, and that would give a sweeter flavour.
- Breadcrumbs - We made our own breadcrumbs by whizzing up some stale bread in the food processor. However, you can use store bought breadcrumbs if you prefer.
- Sage - This is where all the flavour comes from and is a must in stuffing. We used dried, as it can be hard to find fresh sage outside of the Christmas season, however you can use fresh if you like. Make sure it is chopped up finely.
- Salt and pepper - Season to taste.
- Egg - We used a medium egg, and this is to bind all the ingredients together.
Variations
This is a fairly simple recipe, which is what we love about them, so there isn't a lot to adjust. However, there are a few changes that can be made.
If you want to add some extra texture, then crush up some walnuts or pecans and mix them in with all the other ingredients. We think these sage and onion stuffing balls are great for a vegetarian side dish, however if you wanted to make a meaty version of this, then you could mix some sausage meat into it.
You could also swap the white bread for wholemeal bread if you prefer.
How to Make Stuffing
One: Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5. Heat the butter in a frying pan on a low heat. Once melted cook the onions until softened, about 4 minutes.
Two: Once cooked, put in a bowl with the breadcrumbs, sage and salt and pepper. Mix well.
Three: Add the egg and mix well again.
Four: Allow to cool and then roll into 10 balls. Place into a greased baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
What to serve with sage and onion stuffing
These delicious stuffing balls are a must on a roast dinner, so, we serve them with all the roast dinner classics. If it is roast dinner meat you are looking for, then why not try our Slow Cooker Roast Beef, Honey Roast Duck, Slow Cooker Whole Chicken, Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder or The BEST Roast Chicken?
What is a roast dinner without some kind of potatoes? We have got you covered there too! Why not try our Duck Fat Potatoes, Easy Hasselback Potatoes, Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Roast Potatoes, Cheesy Potato Bake or Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes.
Stuffing balls can feel a bit heavy, so why not lighten it up with loads of vegetables on the side. Try our Cabbage with Cumin, Roasted Swede, Buttered Leeks, Garlic Spring Greens, Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Garlic Green Beans, Slow Cooker Brussel Sprouts, Easy Cauliflower Cheese or Garlic and Parsley Roasted Carrots.
Dannii's Top Tips
- If you don't have a food processor to make your own breadcrumbs, then you could just grate slices or bread on a box grater. Be careful of your fingers though!
- If you are cooking these in the oven with a roast dinner that is being cooked at a different temperature, then that's okay. These are quite forgiving and you can adjust the cooking time to suit the temperature that the oven is already at. If it is higher, then cook for less time and if it is lower then they can cook for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you certainly can. Simply grease a small baking dish and then add the mixture. We like making them into balls, as all the outside gets nice and crispy. You can also use the mixture to stuff a chicken or turkey too.
Yes, you can, and that is one of our favourite things about it. Make the stuffing balls up and then store them in an air tight container in the fridge and they will keep until the next day. I always do this on Christmas Eve, so I have less to do on the big day! You can then just get them out of the fridge and cook them following the rest of the instructions.
Leftover stuffing isn't usually a problem we have in our house. However, if there is leftovers then we wrap it in foil and then store in an air tight container in the fridge until the next day. We then like to heat it in a frying pan and add it to a roast meat sandwich. Leftover roast dinner sandwiches are the best!
Yes, these freeze well. Put them on a lined baking tray and in the freezer until they are frozen. You can then put them in a freezer bag where they will keep for 3 months. Defrost them and then heat them through in the oven.
Yes, if you use gluten free breadcrumbs and make sure that there is no cross contamination, then these can be gluten free.
No, these are not vegan due to the butter the onions are cooked in and the egg that binds the stuffing together.
More Side Dish Recipes
If you've tried this sage and onion stuffing balls recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Sage and Onion Stuffing
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of Butter
- 1 Onion - finely chopped
- 200 g (1.75 cups) of Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon of Dried sage
- 1 pinch of Fine sea salt and ground black pepper
- 1 Egg - whisked
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of Butter in a frying pan on a low heat. Once melted cook 1 Onion until softened, about 4 minutes.
- Once cooked, put in a bowl with 200 g of Breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp of Dried sage and 1 pinch of Fine sea salt and ground black pepper. Mix well.
- Add 1 Egg and mix well again.
- Allow to cool and then roll into 10 balls. Place into a greased baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Denay DeGuzman says
I love this delicious recipe for pre-portioned stuffing. It's easy to assemble and sooo good! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Claudia Lamascolo says
Great recipe we loved and will make it again.
Gus says
If it has sage I am in! What a lovely herb. I am making this recipe for Christmas!
Maricruz says
Nothing beats holiday recipes like the ones that can be made ahead! Love the easy preparation and will try it for sure as life just gets busier and busier every day. Thanks for the extra tips too!
Gina says
Love the idea to make stuffing into portioned balls like this!
Ana F. says
I made this Sage and Onion Stuffing last night and my family devoured it! It was so easy to make and it was perfect as a side dish for my chicken. Thanks for the recipe
PATRICIA A Conte says
These are like personally-portioned stuffing offerings! I am a stuffing fanatic and these sound amazing. What a great way to serve them!
Jess says
I save bread for making stuffing like this. So smart!
sue says
I made these last night and the whole family LOVED it, even my pickiest eater :) Thanks for a great recipe.
Danielle Wolter says
I love this. It's super simple and the flavors are so classic and delicious. Great Thanksgiving dish!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Stuffing is a must and I love the additional ingredients you chose here will be trying this next week with the onion in it .
Tavo says
I love that the recipe can be made in advance. It will definitely save me some prep time for the holidays! Love the sage addition!
Farah Abumaizar says
Perfect time for a recipe like this! Can't wait to try this out!