Loaded Bread Stuffing

Ingredients

¼ cup butter
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
½ cup coarsely chopped red bell pepper (1 small)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage or 2 teaspoons dried sage, crushed
½ teaspoon ground pepper
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
12 cups light whole-wheat bread cut into 1-inch pieces and dried (see Tip)
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 cup coarsely shredded carrots (2 medium)
1 (14.5 ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
½ cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed or 2 eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, celery, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in sage, ground pepper and, if desired, crushed red pepper.
  2. Combine bread cubes, water chestnuts and carrots in a very large bowl. Add mushroom mixture; toss to combine. Add broth and egg, tossing lightly to combine. Spoon into a 3-quart casserole.
  3. Bake, covered with foil, 50 to 55 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 160°F.

Loaded Bread Stuffing