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ciabatta stuffing with chestnuts and pancetta
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Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta

Bits of ciabatta is mixed with mirepoix, pancetta, parmesan, butter, and chestnuts to make a bread stuffing might be better than the turkey!
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Author: Four to Cook For

Equipment

  • 3-quart glass casserole dish (13"x 9")
  • Skillet

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons butter (about 3/4 stick)
  • 10 ounces pancetta, diced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, diced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves, chopped
  • 14.8 ounces roasted and peeled chestnuts, coarsely broken (about 1 jar)
  • 1 large day-old ciabatta bread loaf, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup or more chicken stock
  • 2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Butter a casserole dish.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add pancetta and saute until crisp and golden, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
  • Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, rosemary, and garlic. Saute until the onions are very tender, about 12 minutes.
  • Gently stir in the chestnuts and parsley.
  • Transfer this mixture to the large bowl with the pancetta.
  • Add the bread and parmesan cheese and toss to coat.
  • Mix in the eggs.
  • Add enough stock to the stuffing mixture to moisten.
  • Season the stuffing with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Transfer stuffing to the prepared baking dish. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down, and back until the stuffing is heated through, about 30 minutes.
  • Uncover and continue baking until the top is crisp and golden, about 15 minutes longer.
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below or Instagram it! Mention @Fourtocookfor or tag #fourtocookfor!

Notes

Trader Joes and Winco sell 5 oz packages of pancetta already diced. Trader Joes also sells a package of prechopped mirapoix (celery, onions, and carrots). If you use this, estimate four cups for this recipe. The jar of chestnuts is typically a seasonal item, so you may need to purchase this item first to determine if you'll even have it on-hand to make. (I found the last jar at Cost Plus World Market.)