Spectacular Thanksgiving? – Cheesy Winter Green Stuffing With Kale

The holidays are a time for cherished traditions, and food often plays a central role. For many families, a hearty stuffing is an essential part of the holiday meal. While traditional bread stuffings can be delicious, they are often heavy and lacking in nutrients. This cheesy winter green stuffing with kale offers a fresh take on the classic by incorporating hearty greens and savory cheese for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish.

Kale and other leafy greens add festive color and valuable vitamins to this lighter, healthier stuffing. By wilting the greens first, they soften slightly but still retain their texture. Tangy Parmesan cheese and melty mozzarella add a rich, savory flavor that perfectly complements the earthy kale. Dried thyme and sage provide aromatic notes that evoke the warmth of the holidays.

This recipe transforms humble ingredients into something special and celebratory. The combination of textures from the crispy bread cubes, wilted greens, and melted cheese makes each bite dynamic. While this stuffing strays from tradition, it retains the spirit of the holidays. It’s sure to earn a permanent spot at your holiday table as a new favorite.

Making it Kid-Friendly

While kids often enjoy traditional bread-based stuffings, the hearty greens, and strong cheeses in this recipe may be off-putting to some picky eaters. However, there are easy ways to modify this stuffing to make it more appealing for kids:

• Use milder greens like spinach instead of kale. The milder flavor will be more agreeable.
• Replace some of the Parmesan and mozzarella with a mild melting cheese like cheddar. The familiar flavor will be a hit with kids.
• Mix in cornbread along with the whole wheat bread for a sweetness kids love. Be sure to moisten the cornbread well before adding.
• Add kid-friendly mix-ins like chopped apples, raisins, or even mini marshmallows. The sweetness balances the greens.
• Allow kids to help prepare the stuffing by tearing bread, adding mix-ins, and mixing everything together. They’ll be more inclined to try something they helped make.

With a few simple tweaks, this cheesy winter green stuffing can become a new family favorite for holidays and weeknight dinners alike. The adjustments make it fun for kids while still retaining the core flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch kale, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 loaf whole wheat bread, cubed
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried sage
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent.
3. Add kale and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes.
4. In a bowl, combine bread cubes, onion-kale mixture, broth, eggs, cheeses, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper.
5. Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Tips and Variations

• Try Swiss chard or spinach instead of kale
• Add dried cranberries, apricots, or nuts for extra flavor
• Top with crispy fried onions or extra cheese before baking

Cheesy Winter Green “Stuffing” with kale

Recipe by Alexander Whaley

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

This cheesy winter green stuffing with kale is the perfect holiday side, combining hearty greens, savory cheese, and fresh herbs. It’s a lighter and healthier twist on traditional stuffing that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch kale, chopped

• 1 onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 loaf whole wheat bread, cubed

• 1/2 cup vegetable broth

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp dried sage

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent.
• Add kale and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Allow kale to cool, otherwise it will cook the eggs in the next step.
• In a bowl, combine bread cubes, onion-kale mixture, broth, eggs, cheeses, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper.
• Shape into rough patties.
• Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake 25-30 minutes.

Notes

• Try swiss chard or spinach instead of kale
• Add dried cranberries, apricots, or nuts for extra flavor
• Top with crispy fried onions or extra cheese before baking