Add This Boxed Ingredient To Stovetop Stuffing For A Flavor And Fiber Boost

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Turkey is the traditional star of a Thanksgiving table — we have a popular 19th-century novel to thank for that fact – but, for our enjoyment, give us all the stuffing. Call it "dressing" if you want, but be sure to load our plates with that carb-y, succulent goodness. We recently viewed a TikTok reel in which a home cook dished up what she referred to as an Italian-style stuffing that starred a Rice-A-Roni wild rice blend (which you can buy in a three-pack on Amazon) in addition to classic ingredients like sautéed veg, Herbes de Provence, and packaged stuffing mix. The results, which baked up fluffy and golden, looked downright delish ... and we love one minor health benefit that comes along for the ride.

Wild rice is a product derived from grasses that grow along freshwater marshes and is processed as a grain. It's far more flavorful than white rice, which is why we think it's a worthy addition to your stuffing. Wild rice is nutty and earthy, and its chewy texture really works a treat in stuffing that might otherwise turn out mushy.

As a bonus, wild rice is higher in protein than white rice. That box of Rice-A-Roni we mentioned also contains four grams of dietary fiber useful for regulating your digestive system and contributing to stable blood sugar. No, four grams isn't a boatload (and that's mixed into a whole pan of stuffing), but it's a plus that you wouldn't get without adding the rice at all.

It's true that any cooked wild rice is going to improve your stuffing game tremendously, but we actually go to bat for the Rice-A-Roni blend specifically because it's already seasoned. You'll want to season your stuffing, of course, but having some big flavor already in the rice is a big hand up. We always recommend plenty of garlic in stuffing to complement the flavors of your main dish — which is likely a juicy, buttery turkey! — and you can choose fresh garlic or garlic powder to accomplish that aim.

We previously discussed upgrading boxed stuffing with chorizo, and we heartily endorse adding some form of sausage to your wild rice dressing. Chorizo has that spiced profile and kiss of heat that can cut handily through the blandness of rice and dried bread, but we also love an herbaceous, sage-y sausage to play up those notes that scream "Thanksgiving." Trying to cut down on the meatiness of the whole meal? Dried cranberries will add chew and heft to your stuffing in a distinctly autumnal way that vegetarian eaters can appreciate.

Speaking of special dietary considerations: wild rice is so effective as a stuffing that we've even seen some home cooks forgo the bread completely. This may be as a conscientious effort to lower the gluten content of one's stuffing, or it could just be because wild rice is delicious. When stuffed with veg, herbs, chopped nuts, and perhaps some bacon, you'll never miss the bread cubes. Just remember it's okay to make things in advance, especially stuffing, and give yourself a break on Thanksgiving!