Gravy-Stuffed Stuffing Muffins: A Delicious Twist on Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, an abundance of delicious food. But what happens after the feast? Leftovers, glorious leftovers! While leftover turkey sandwiches and reheated mashed potatoes are always welcome, sometimes you crave something a little more…creative. That’s where these gravy-stuffed stuffing muffins come in. They’re the perfect way to transform your leftover stuffing into a bite-sized, flavorful treat that’s sure to impress.

These aren’t your average muffins. Imagine a perfectly golden-brown, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside stuffing muffin, hiding a molten core of rich, savory gravy. It’s a textural and flavor explosion in every bite! Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make and customize with your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers.

Why You’ll Love These Gravy-Stuffed Stuffing Muffins

* **Delicious and Flavorful:** The combination of savory stuffing and rich gravy is a match made in heaven.
* **Perfect for Leftovers:** A fantastic way to use up leftover stuffing and gravy (and even other Thanksgiving dishes).
* **Easy to Make:** Simple steps and readily available ingredients make this recipe a breeze.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to suit your preferences and available ingredients.
* **Impressive Presentation:** These muffins look beautiful and are perfect for serving as appetizers or a side dish.
* **Portable:** Great for lunchboxes, picnics, or potlucks.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Leftover Stuffing:** The star of the show! Use any type of stuffing you prefer, whether it’s bread-based, cornbread-based, or even wild rice stuffing.
* **Leftover Gravy:** Turkey gravy, chicken gravy, vegetarian gravy – any kind works! Make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape when chilled.
* **Eggs:** Act as a binder to hold the stuffing muffins together.
* **Butter (Melted):** Adds richness and flavor, and helps the muffins brown nicely.
* **Optional Add-Ins:** Consider adding chopped cooked turkey, cranberry sauce, shredded cheese, or sauteed vegetables for extra flavor and texture.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

* **Stuffing:** If your stuffing is very dry, you may need to add a little extra melted butter or chicken broth to moisten it.
* **Gravy:** If your gravy is too thin, simmer it in a saucepan over medium heat until it thickens. You can also add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to help thicken it.
* **Eggs:** You can substitute flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) for a vegan option, but the texture may be slightly different.
* **Butter:** You can use olive oil or vegan butter as a substitute.
* **Add-Ins:** Get creative with your add-ins! Diced ham, crumbled bacon, or chopped nuts would also be delicious.

Equipment You’ll Need

* **Muffin Tin:** A standard 12-cup muffin tin is ideal.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For mixing the stuffing and egg mixture.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Ice Cream Scoop or Spoon:** For portioning the stuffing mixture into the muffin tin.
* **Small Cookie Scoop or Melon Baller:** For scooping the gravy filling.
* **Baking Sheet (Optional):** To place under the muffin tin for easier handling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed guide on how to make these delectable gravy-stuffed stuffing muffins:

**1. Prepare the Gravy:**

* If your leftover gravy is not already chilled, place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until it’s firm enough to scoop.
* If your gravy is too thin, simmer it in a saucepan over medium heat until it thickens. Alternatively, whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and simmer for a minute or two until thickened.

**2. Prepare the Stuffing Mixture:**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* In a large mixing bowl, combine the leftover stuffing, eggs, and melted butter.
* Gently mix until everything is well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the muffins tough.
* If you’re adding any optional add-ins, stir them in now.

**3. Assemble the Muffins:**

* Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line it with muffin liners.
* Spoon about 2/3 of the stuffing mixture into each muffin cup, pressing down slightly to create a well in the center.
* Using a small cookie scoop or melon baller, scoop out a small ball of chilled gravy and place it in the center of each muffin.
* Top each muffin with the remaining stuffing mixture, covering the gravy completely.

**4. Bake the Muffins:**

* Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and heated through.
* If the tops of the muffins start to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the muffin tin with aluminum foil.

**5. Cool and Serve:**

* Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
* Serve warm or at room temperature. These muffins are delicious on their own or with a dollop of cranberry sauce or a drizzle of extra gravy.

Tips for Perfect Gravy-Stuffed Stuffing Muffins

* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the stuffing mixture can result in tough muffins. Gently combine the ingredients until just moistened.
* **Chill the Gravy:** Chilling the gravy makes it easier to scoop and prevents it from melting too quickly during baking.
* **Don’t Overfill:** Be careful not to overfill the muffin cups, as the muffins may overflow during baking.
* **Use a Cookie Scoop:** Using a cookie scoop or melon baller helps to ensure that each muffin has the same amount of gravy filling.
* **Bake Until Golden Brown:** Bake the muffins until they are golden brown and heated through. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
* **Let Cool Slightly:** Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them hold their shape.

Variations and Add-Ins

* **Meat Lovers:** Add chopped cooked turkey, ham, or sausage to the stuffing mixture.
* **Vegetarian:** Add sauteed vegetables like mushrooms, onions, celery, and carrots to the stuffing mixture.
* **Cheesy:** Add shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, or Parmesan cheese to the stuffing mixture.
* **Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the stuffing mixture.
* **Sweet and Savory:** Add chopped cranberries, dried apricots, or toasted pecans to the stuffing mixture.
* **Different Gravy:** Experiment with different types of gravy, such as mushroom gravy, onion gravy, or even a sweet potato gravy.
* **Cranberry Sauce Filling:** Instead of gravy, try filling the muffins with cranberry sauce for a sweet and tangy twist.

Serving Suggestions

These gravy-stuffed stuffing muffins are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:

* **Appetizer:** Serve them as a delicious and unexpected appetizer at your next holiday gathering.
* **Side Dish:** Serve them as a side dish alongside your Thanksgiving leftovers or any other meal.
* **Breakfast or Brunch:** Enjoy them for breakfast or brunch with a side of eggs and bacon.
* **Lunchbox Treat:** Pack them in your lunchbox for a savory and satisfying midday snack.
* **Potluck Contribution:** Bring them to your next potluck – they’re sure to be a hit!

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare these gravy-stuffed stuffing muffins ahead of time and bake them later.

* **Assemble Ahead:** Assemble the muffins completely, but don’t bake them. Cover the muffin tin tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
* **Bake Later:** When you’re ready to bake, remove the muffin tin from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking as directed.

Storage Instructions

* **Store:** Store leftover gravy-stuffed stuffing muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the muffins in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they may become slightly soggy.
* **Freeze:** Freeze the muffins in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Recipe Card

**Recipe Name:** Gravy-Stuffed Stuffing Muffins

**Yields:** 12 muffins

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes

**Cook Time:** 25 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 4 cups leftover stuffing
* 1 cup leftover gravy, chilled
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
* 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted
* Optional add-ins: chopped cooked turkey, cranberry sauce, shredded cheese, sauteed vegetables

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine stuffing, eggs, and melted butter. Mix gently.
3. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
4. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full with stuffing mixture, creating a well in the center.
5. Place a scoop of chilled gravy in the center of each muffin.
6. Top with remaining stuffing mixture, covering the gravy.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 200-250 per muffin (depending on ingredients)
* Fat: 10-15g
* Carbohydrates: 20-25g
* Protein: 5-7g

**Note:** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

Final Thoughts

These gravy-stuffed stuffing muffins are a fun and delicious way to reinvent your Thanksgiving leftovers. They’re easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any occasion. So, the next time you find yourself with a fridge full of leftover stuffing and gravy, give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Enjoy your gravy-stuffed stuffing muffins! They are a testament to the fact that leftovers can be just as exciting (if not more so!) than the original feast. Happy baking!