The Best Paula Deen Cornbread Dressing: A Southern Classic Made Easy
This comforting Southern-style cornbread dressing is inspired by Paula Deen’s famous holiday recipe. It’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy family dinner. Moist on the inside and crisp on top, it’s the ultimate side dish!
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl for combining all ingredients
- 1 9x13 Baking Dish for baking the dressing
- 1 Skillet for sautéing vegetables
- 1 Whisk or Wooden Spoon for mixing
- Aluminum Foil for covering while baking if needed
Ingredients
- Cornbread pre-baked and crumbled:
- 6 cups Cornbread crumbled and day-old for best results
- Additional Bread:
- 3 cups White bread cubed slightly stale
- Vegetables & Aromatics:
- 1 Onion diced
- 3 stalks Celery diced
- 2 tbsp Butter for sautéing
- Liquids:
- 3 cups Chicken broth low sodium preferred
- 2 Eggs lightly beaten
- Seasonings:
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Poultry seasoning
- ½ tsp Dried sage optional but recommended
- Optional Add-ins:
- ½ lb Sausage cooked and crumbled optional
- 1 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare your cornbread and bread cubes. Use day-old cornbread and slightly stale white bread for best texture. Crumble the cornbread and cube the bread into a large mixing bowl.
- Sauté the vegetables. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery, cooking until softened (about 5–7 minutes). Let cool slightly.
- Mix it all together. Add the sautéed vegetables to the bread mixture. Pour in chicken broth, beaten eggs, and all seasonings. Gently stir until everything is well combined and moist but not soupy.
- Let it rest. Allow the mixture to sit for 10–15 minutes so the bread can absorb the flavors.
- Transfer to baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bake. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Optional: For extra crispy topping, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm alongside turkey, ham, or your favorite holiday main.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the dressing the day before and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
- Freezing Instructions: You can freeze the unbaked or baked dressing for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual.
- Custom Add-Ins: Try adding cooked sausage, diced apples, or chopped pecans for fun variations.