The best potato stuffing there is! Make your Thanksgiving dinner extra comforting with this Amish Potato Stuffing Recipe. The savory bites of mashed potatoes, breadcrumbs, sauteed veggies, and sage make this side dish a must-have at holiday meals.
Mashed potato stuffing for Thanksgiving
Prepare to be hit with a surge of nostalgia because this potato stuffing has everything you love about a classic stuffing recipe but with an authentic Amish twist!
Layers of sage, celery, mashed potatoes, and breadcrumbs bake together to create this savory Amish Potato Stuffing Recipe. Layered with gravy on top, this stuffing recipe is a must-have when serving a loaded Thanksgiving or holiday dinner to family and friends. Don’t forget the Juicy Turkey, Fresh Green Bean and Potato Casserole, Crockpot Stuffing, Crockpot Mac and Cheese, Dinner Rolls and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll.
I first discovered Amish stuffing as I was exploring the many weekend markets in Pennsylvania growing up. There are always Amish stands outside of these markets, usually selling goodies like discounted produce, meat, shoofly pie, and chicken breasts stuffed with potato stuffing. This quickly became my new favorite meal and I knew I had to recreate it at home!
My #1 tip when making this recipe is: don’t skip the sage! Yes, the mashed potatoes, whole wheat breadcrumbs, and sauteed veggies are delicious together but dried sage takes the mixture to an entirely different level. It’s super important for flavor and balance, plus it will fill your whole house with the savory smells of Thanksgiving.
Potato stuffing vs. traditional Thanksgiving stuffing
This recipe varies slightly from a traditional Thanksgiving stuffing recipe. You’ll usually only find breadcrumbs seasoned with chicken stock, eggs, celery, and herbs in the traditional version.
The alternative is a popular choice in Pennsylvania Dutch country that adds creamy mashed potatoes into what would have been traditional stuffing. Potato stuffing doesn’t need to be made with eggs or broth because it’s already moist and holds together really well. The finished result is creamy and savory, and pairs so well with gravy!
How to make Amish potato stuffing from scratch
This quick and easy stuffing recipe is a great make ahead meal and a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s ready to eat after a few simple steps:
Saute the onions and celery in a large frying pan over medium high heat until they’re soft.
Take the pan off of the heat and stir in the breadcrumbs, mashed potatoes, sage, parsley, and salt and pepper.
Transfer the stuffing mixture to a prepared casserole dish.
Bake the stuffing until the top is slightly browned and crispy. Serve it next to your favorite Thanksgiving sides and enjoy!
Make ahead potato stuffing
Not only can you put this whole recipe together ahead of time, but you can even prepare some of the individual elements in advance so you never have to rush! It’s a great Thanksgiving side dish that will save you loads of time:
- Mashed potatoes – Make your mashed potatoes up to 3 days ahead. Keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to add them to the stuffing mixture.
- Breadcrumbs – Tear the bread into chunks and let them sit out, uncovered, in a bowl the night before making the stuffing.
- Potato stuffing – Because this vegetarian stuffing isn’t made with eggs or meat, it stores and freezes really well days before serving. Assemble the stuffing in the casserole dish, cover it well, and store it in the fridge for 1 or 2 days or freeze it for later.
How long does leftover stuffing last?
The leftover stuffing stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat them for a few minutes in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through. You can also use it in Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole.
You can also freeze the baked and cooled potato stuffing in a freezer-safe container or bag. Warm it from frozen in a 350ºF oven until heated through. Don’t let it thaw or else the bread will become soggy.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I bake it covered or uncovered? Bake the dressing uncovered so the top can turn slightly brown and crispy.
- What’s the best bread for stuffing? Fluffy day-old white or whole wheat bread is best in stuffing because it soaks up all of the flavors easily and won’t become soggy in the oven. White sandwich bread, potato bread, challah, or French bread are a few great options.
- What else can I add to stuffing? You can add sauteed mushrooms, spinach, kale, sausage, leftover Thanksgiving turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, leeks, or corn to this potato and breadcrumb stuffing recipe!
- Can I stuff it into a turkey? I prefer to bake the stuffing separately from the Thanksgiving turkey or chicken because they two require very different temperatures and cooking times in the oven. Baking the stuffing inside of turkey or chicken means the poultry can often turn out overcooked as you wait for the stuffing to finish.
More Thanksgiving stuffing recipes
- Potato Kale Stuffing
- Broccoli Cheese Stuffing Casserole
- Blueberry Bread Stuffing
- Beef Chorizo Stuffing
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Amish Potato Stuffing Recipe
PrintIngredients
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 pieces celery chopped
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 4 slices whole wheat bread torn into pieces
- 3 cups cooked mashed potatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large frying pan, saute the onion and celery in butter over medium high heat until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in bread, mashed potatoes, sage, parsley and salt + pepper. Mix completely.
- Spray a 9×9 baking dish with nonstick spray, and then pour the stuffing mixture into it.
- Bake, uncovered for 50-60 minutes or until the top is slightly browned and crispy.
- Serve and enjoy!
Patricia says
This is the same as the turkey stuffing my mom used and I use today still except we use summer savor rather than sage……….Love it……….
Pamela says
Yum, that sounds great Patricia!
Timothy says
While this a correct recipe…It is called Filling not Stuffing in PA Dutch land
Pamela says
I’ve seen/heard it called both there, I prefer “stuffing” – Mom used to always call it that as a kid too.
Cathy says
Hi stupid question but is the bread fresh or stale? Also can you stuff a turkey with this?
Thanks
Pamela says
Hey Cathy, I use fresh whole wheat bread. You can stuff a turkey with it! Enjoy!
Jaime says
What about egg? That’s how we make it.
Pamela says
Hey Jaime, no eggs are needed for this recipe.
Emily says
Oh I love stuffing and this one looks like a unique and yummy recipe. Thanks for sharing at the Monday Funday Link Party. – Emily
Kim says
Just like my mom’s recipe (we grew up near Lancaster county,pa )except she added an egg to bind the stuffing and add flavor. She also added thyme too!
Thank you for sharing!
Pamela says
I love the addition of thyme – I will try that next time! Thanks for sharing Kim! Enjoy!
Laura says
Love the thought of mixing the 2 together…one pan!! And instant potatoes are a necessity in any busy home…I have found Ore Ida the best and many variations to choose!! Thanks for all your ideas…love love love?
Pamela says
Hey Laura, I hope you enjoy this stuffing – I’ll be making it twice this week for Thanksgiving because we love it so much!
CATHY MCKINNEY says
I was wondering if instant potatoes could be used..if yu used them did it turn out just as good as mashing potatoes..thank you
Pamela says
Hey Cathy, I use instant potatoes all the time for this dish. Always turns out delicious. Hope this helps!
Barb says
I have been making potato stuffing for years. I also add raw eggs, and dried parsley to the mixture…so yummy.
Lisa Wood says
It is super easy to make and delicious as well. One note: My mother cuts the bread the night before and leaves it out (covered with a cloth) so the bread has a little more body when you mix it in with the potatoes. Also this freezes beautifully before you bake it. Just let it thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Patty says
My Aunt Pat used to make this stuffing and don’t ask me why I have never made it as an adult! Super easy and delicious! Thank you for this recipe and reminding me of it!
Mary Frances says
Yum! This would be a perfect Thanksgiving dish. I love the photo of Goblin!
Emma @ Bake Then Eat says
What a lovely sounding recipe, recipes that take you back to your childhood are the best 😀
Sophie says
This recipe looks very Yum Yum! I would serve it with some good organic sausages,….mmmmmmm!
Cindi says
I grew up in southeast Pennsylvania, around there they called it potato filling. As a child I never liked it. I guess next time I visit I’ll have to get my sis-in-law to make some. As an adult I like a lot more things!
Cindi
Susan says
I never think of making stuffing except at Thanksgiving! What is wrong with me? This sounds easy and so delicious, Pamela!
Ashley says
I don’t think I’ve had stuffing since the Fall! This looks fantastic! And now I want lunch…
Cailee says
YUM! This looks lovely! Perf for a warm summer BBQ! Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
OMGosh Pamela – I swear I could eat stuffing every day I love it so much. I’ve never had stuffing with potatoes before though – and it sounds amazing!
Cassie says
Looks perfect for sweet potatoes!
Seersucker Sass says
Okay, this looks absolutely DELICIOUS! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
Mary @chattavore says
This looks SO good, Pamela. I’ve never thought of potato stuffing. Love the idea and will have to make this soon!
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
Like sleeping on clouds you say?! I want in on that. 🙂
and Goblin sleeping is waaaaay too cute.
Suzanne says
Love it, it’s carb heaven!!!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
Haha, sleeping on the clouds, whatever that means, I’m game! This stuffing sounds amazing!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
sleeping on clouds…I love the sound of it. The stuffing looks really nice, Pamela.
Sues says
I loveee stuffing, but have never had a potato stuffing! What an awesome idea…
Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies says
1. I wish my furbabies slept peacefully on the floor while I was taking photos rather than trying to EAT the food any time I looked away. 2. Mashed potatoes IN stuffing is basically the best idea ever. Why waste time piling stuffing on top of my mashed potatoes on my plate (other people do that, right?) when it can all be mixed together from the get go.
Debra says
Hmmmm….could I have some for breakfast? Topped with an egg?
Pamela says
Sure, why not! 🙂