My Brilliant Shortcut for the Best Stuffing Ever (It’s Not Stove Top)

The holiday gauntlet has officially begun. Celebrations and special events are squeezing their way into our already-packed schedules. But I’m determined to enjoy this time of year — not simply survive it. 

My plan starts with a trip to Costco, of course. I’ve been a loyal member for more than a decade, and the warehouse stocks many of the groceries that help me make magical holiday spreads. I don’t want to imagine how much more time and money it would take to put together my family’s Thanksgiving dinner (and the other 98 meals this month) if I didn’t make a Costco run part of my seasonal routine. 

One item that I’m not leaving the store without this month is a box of Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing.

Thanksgiving dinner may be the biggest meal many of us prepare all year. With so many recipes to juggle and mouths to feed, it’s no surprise that grocery shortcuts have become inextricably linked with the nostalgic sides many of us grew up with. The most important holiday grocery, IMO, was Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing, so I was thrilled when I saw that Costco had a bulk-size box on the shelves this year. 

This stuffing is made with a mix of crumbled and dried white and wheat bread, and seasoned with the herbs and spices of Thanksgiving. The boxes sold at Costco contain three (16-ounce) packages for just $8.99. That comes to $0.18 per ounce. Where I live in the Tampa, Florida, area, I’d pay $3.71 for a smaller (12-ounce) package of the same stuffing (that’s $0.31 per ounce). 

Aside from the cost, I’m thrilled that this stuffing is sold as a three-pack because I’m making stuffing on more days than just the third Thursday in November. I’m bringing my stuffing to the office potluck and Friendsgiving, too. In fact, I love this stuff so much that I’m buying another box to carry me through the month of December as well. 

The very best way to prepare Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing is to add good-quality broth, butter, and fresh herbs. This package contains a bit more stuffing than what your recipe may call for, so you may need to add an extra splash of broth (up to 1/4 cup) so that it is evenly moistened. You can dress up the stuffing with your favorite add-ins. I like to include fresh apple and browned Italian sausage, but dried fruit, fresh mushrooms, or roasted chiles can also add unique flavor to your Thanksgiving table. 

I believe that eating leftovers is always one of the best parts of the holiday. If you want to go beyond just reheating leftover stuffing, try turning it into stuffing fritters or a breakfast strata. 

Find it in stores: Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing, $8.99 for 3 (16-ounce) bags

This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: I Stopped Making Homemade Stuffing 16 Years Ago, Thanks to This “Delicious” Boxed Mix (Not Stove Top)