Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Italian Thanksgiving

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (151)

Cook Time:
1 hr 10 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
8 to 10 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 1 hr 10 min
Total:: 1 hr 30 min

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Ingredients

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
8 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 large onions, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
3 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 (7.4-ounce) jars roasted peeled whole chestnuts, coarsely broken
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 pound day-old ciabatta bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 cup (or more) canned low-salt chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten to blend

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter a 15 by 10 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute until crisp and golden, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a large bowl. 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 the onion mixture to the large bowl with the pancetta. Add the bread and Parmesan and toss to coat. Add enough broth to the stuffing mixture to moisten. Season the stuffing, to taste, with salt and pepper. Mix in the eggs.

Transfer the stuffing to the prepared dish. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down, and bake until the stuffing is heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until the top is crisp and golden, about 15 minutes longer.

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Giada De Laurentiis's Thanksgiving Menu

AppetizerItalian Greens and Herb Salad
Main DishTurkey with Herbes de Provence and Citrus
Side DishSpicy Parmesan Green Beans and Kale
DessertChocolate-Hazelnut Tart

Giada De Laurentiis's Thanksgiving Menu (11)

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Danesa Mahwah, NJ 11-16-2009
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A Thanksgiving Staple!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I come from a very large Cuban and Italian family, so needless to say we have big appetites and are passionate about our... food. This recipe is hands down the best stuffing recipe!! The pancetta gives it so much flavor and the ciabatta bread is delicious. I chop and prep everything the night before so that on Thanksgiving I just need to combine and bake. Read more
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Kristine Manhattan Beach, CA 11-14-2009
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My Family asks for this every year.
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this recipe a few years back when I first saw Giada make it. Now I have "my" dish that I am supposed to bring for... Thanksgiving! everyone loves it!! The first year, I could find Ciabatta, so I used an Italian loaf. the first year I roasted my own chestnuts - b/c the jarred ones at William and Sonoma were so expensive...lessons learned. Roasting that many chestnuts and peeling them is hard work. never again! The canned chestnuts at a good food store are less expensive than William and Sonomo, and don't use as much to save $$. The recipe is delicious and your family will love it!! It is always a big hit and a great update on a traditional recipe....be prepared if you make this to be asked to make it every year thereafter!! Enjoy.Read more
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Stephanie Lansing, NY 11-11-2009
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THE best stuffing, hands down.
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Last year was the first time I made the whole Thanksgiving meal on my own for my family. I made this stuffing, and honestly... everyone thought it was the best stuffing they had ever had. The only thing I deleted from the recipe was not adding the chestnuts, and that was only because I could not find them anywhere in the stores where I live. I'm not making the whole dinner this year, but have been asked to make this stuffing for everyone again. So wonderful! I highly recommend this recipe. Read more
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Sherry Schaumburg, IL 11-09-2009
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This was pretty good, but not fabulous.
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I think I read all 147 reviews before I made this dressing. I was pretty excited as the majority found it amazing. I went to... several stores looking for the perfect ingredients and found them. You can imagine the build up at this point. So, I make the dressing and it was good, but not exquisite like I had thought it would be. I don?t think I?m a huge fan of chestnuts. Had the chestnuts been crunchy, maybe that would have made a difference. Overall, I liked and I will make this again, but I might switch out the chestnuts for something tastier. Read more
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Morgan Cincinnati, OH 10-31-2009
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AMAZING!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is now THE family Thanksgiving stuffing recipe. Best stuffing I've ever had.
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Roseann Lancaster, PA 10-26-2009
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Family asks me to make at ever major holiday
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My family loves this dish. I have got into the habit of making a double batch. It upsets my family when there are no left... overs for the next day, which is even better as the flavors set. This is one of those recipes you pass along for generations. Read more