Savory, cheesy, and full of festive flavor, these Cheesy Holiday Stuffin’ Muffins are the perfect warm vegetarian dish for the season. Made to serve 84, this batch-friendly favorite gives the classic stuffing a twist with melty cheese, hearty bread, and just the right touch of sweetness from Zee Zees Honey Cran Trail Mix.
Whether you’re planning a holiday lunch or looking to make use of ingredients on hand, these muffins are an easy, crowd-pleasing way to bring the comfort of the holidays straight to the cafeteria line.
Cozy meets convenient in this simple, scoop-and-bake take on stuffing. Zee Zees Honey Cran Trail Mix adds fruity sweetness and satisfying crunch, while parmesan or mozzarella cheese brings full, melty flavor. Each muffin offers 1 M/MA, 1 Grain, and ¼ cup Fruit, a delicious way to meet USDA requirements while serving up something warm, cheesy, and fun.
When it comes to our Cheesy Holiday Stuffin’ Muffins, Zee Zees Honey Cran Trail Mix is the secret that makes this dish shine. The mix adds a pop of sweetness from dried cranberries and the crunch of honey sunflower kernels, creating the perfect contrast to the savory herbs and melted cheese.
Together, these ingredients take traditional stuffing from side dish to showstopper, with a balance of sweet, savory, and holiday magic baked into every bite.
This recipe checks all the boxes for busy kitchens and hungry students. It’s warm, hearty, and easy to make, with no complicated prep required. We’ve simplified it so there’s no need to be a geometry wizard. Just use a #12 scoop into full-size muffin pans, bake, and serve.
Each muffin is perfectly portioned for service. Want to offer more? Simply serve two muffins for bigger appetites and double the contribution. And because it uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, it’s also a great way to reduce food waste while serving something crave-worthy.
Got bread that’s not quite day-old? No problem! Just bake it at 350°F for 20–30 minutes to dry it out. And if you’re swapping fresh herbs for ground, remember the easy rule of thumb: 1 part ground = 3 parts fresh.
We recommend using full-flavor cheese to ensure it melts perfectly. If you choose low-fat cheese, note that it may not spread like full-fat varieties. Just give your muffins a few extra minutes in the oven to encourage a warm, melted finish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It doesn’t take much to make this holiday dish a cafeteria favorite. A few simple staples come together to make a savory, protein-rich muffin that’s equal parts cozy and colorful.
We also added ½ oz of cheese per serving to increase protein, boost yum-ability, and help you hit your M/MA contribution with ease. Whether you use parmesan or mozzarella, you’ll get the creamy, cheesy goodness that makes this recipe a hit with kids.
- 7 lb - Day-Old Whole Wheat Bread, Sliced into 1-inch Cubes
- 3 qt - Low Sodium Vegetable or Chicken Stock
- 2 lb 10 oz - Parmesan or Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded
- 1/3 cup - Rosemary, Fresh, Chopped (or 2 tbsp ground)
- 1/3 cup - Thyme, Fresh, Chopped (or 2 tbsp ground)
- 3/4 cup - Sage, Fresh, Chopped (or ¼ cup ground)
- 1 lb 2 oz - Onion, Skinned and Diced
- 1 lb 14 oz - Celery, Diced
- 12 oz - Margarine or Butter, Unsalted, Softened
- 6 lb - Zee Zees Honey Cran Trail Mix (Cafeteria Case #624810)
Bring the flavors of the holidays straight to your menu with this cheesy, craveable muffin twist on classic stuffing. The full recipe card with all the step-by-step directions is ready for you to download.
