Cranberry and Butternut Squash Stuffing

I’ll be honest…the holidays really snuck up on me this year. Between the kids’ school schedules and what has proven to be a fall filled with travel, I’m feeling a little behind when it comes to the holiday spirit. However, I know that even though I may feel like I’m racing to catch up with the holiday season, starting next week my home will be full of guests and my table will be full of food. I’ll admit that I love cooking dishes that make everyone who comes to my holiday table drool but I’ll also admit that this year I’m looking for shortcuts that will help me deliver full holiday flavor when I’m short on time. One of the ways I’ve been doing this is by adding Better Than Bouillon to my holiday cooking routine. From using the Better Than Bouillon Turkey Base to flavor my bird to using the Better Than Bouillon Mushroom Base in my famous green bean casserole, for me this is the shortcut that makes the season delicious. While I could go on and on about how these paste concentrates that are equivalent to a bouillon cube or broth can be used, I simply MUST share with you the one dish that I think everyone should make with Better Than Bouillon this holiday season. Whether you’re looking for the perfect pairing for your Thanksgiving turkey, a delightful dish to compliment your holiday ham or even a side to make your tenderloin sing, trust me when I say that my recipe for Cranberry and Butternut Squash Stuffing is an addition that is sure to make your celebrations totally droolworthy!

For my family, holiday dinners are all about the stuffing. Seriously, I can cook whatever meat I want and line the buffet with pies but what everyone goes for first is the stuffing. I’ve tried quite a few stuffing recipes over the years and I’ll be honest, some have been OK and some have been good. However, this Cranberry and Butternut Squash Stuffing is GREAT and I really do believe it’s because it’s bursting with flavor from being made with TWO Better Than Bouillon Bases. That’s right, that Better Than Bouillon that I was talking about earlier for basting birds and perfecting green bean casserole is THE ingredient that makes my Cranberry and Butternut Squash Stuffing shine. You see, only Better That Bouillon adds that “cooked all day” flavor to my stuffing (and all my favorite holiday dishes from appetizers to main courses). It comes in a range of flavor that are all amazing (trust me, I’ve tried every single one) and that really take holiday cooking to the next level. Want to see what I mean and learn how to make this can’t miss holiday dish for yourself? Let’s get started!

I know that there are tons of holiday recipes for stuffing out there but I promise you none of them compare to this Cranberry and Butternut Squash Stuffing and here’s why. With most stuffing recipes you have to add spices here and flavoring there and hope it all comes together to taste like you’ve been working on it all day. With this simple recipe, there’s no need to worry about any of that! With a spoon of Better Than Bouillon here and a spoon of Better Than Bouillon there, the flavors are amazing and unlike anything I’ve ever been able to achieve by adding spices. To start my Cranberry and Butternut Squash Stuffing, I peeled my butternut squash (a potato peeler works great), removed the seeds and cut it up into cubes.

After slicing my leeks into thin slices, I added them to a pan along with my butternut squash cubes and two tablespoons of butter.

Then I simple cooked the mixture, stirring it well, for about 8-10 minutes, just long enough for the butternut squash to begin to soften and the leeks to start caramelizing. Once my butternut squash was soft, I added in my fresh cranberries and my Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base and continued cooking it for about 2-3 minutes.

With just a spoon full of this base, I was able to really get a cooked all day flavor in my veggies that had hints of carrots, celery, onions and tomatoes. It made my simple veggie creation taste like I had started with a mirepoix and let the flavors seep in for hours when in reality, it had only taken seconds to make my veggies amazing. Once my butternut squash mixture was ready, I cut my two types of bread (I like to use Sourdough and Whole Wheat for a nice mixture) into cubes and added them to a bowl.

I immediately poured my warm butternut squash mixture in and combined it well. Now, this is where things really get delicious. I love garlic. I add it to everything. But it’s hard to get a simmered in garlic flavor when I’m cooking dishes like stuffing….until now. By simply adding in two tablespoons of Better Than Bouillon Garlic Base and tossing my stuffing mixture well in it, I achieved a flavor that’s simply amazing.

That’s right, taking this stuffing to good to great was as simple as adding in two tablespoons of this simple base that helps add the flavor of garlic in a way that’s truly delicious. With my stuffing mixture well combined, I sprayed my casserole pan with cooking spray and poured it in, filling every nook and cranny with all the delicious goodness.

Then I simply popped it into to oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes (stirring it half way through) to create a stuffing that’s crunchy and flavorful and has surprising bursts of cranberries, leeks and butternut squash in every bite.

I can tell you without a doubt that this is going to be THE recipe of our holiday season in my home and I encourage you to give it a try!

To get started, be sure to click here to find Better Than Bouillon at a retailer near you or to order those hard to find flavors online. Then get creative with your Better Than Bouillon. Add a spoon full (or two) of your favorite variety your holiday recipes to really make your season dishes shine. From basting to sauteing to flavoring to creating, Better Than Boullion is the perfect way to make any holiday dish delicious! Discover the perfect way to add flavor to your recipes for the upcoming holiday season by trying them now.

Want more ideas of how to use Better Than Bouillon in your holiday cooking? Check out these delicious recipes for sides, main dishes and more!

Then tell me, how will you use Better Than Bouillon Base in your holiday cooking?