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 (168)

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
Rebecca mission hills, CA 12-29-2009
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Wow! Best stuffing EVER!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for Thanksgiving this year and everyone was in love with it! It took me a while to find pancetta but I finally... found it a Whole Foods. I seriously recommend this recipe to anyone who wants to impress people with how wonderful their food tastes :)Read more
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Chris Sacramento, CA 12-26-2009
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Best Stuffing Ever!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I am not a big fan of stuffing, but, when I tried this recipe it really was the best I've ever had. I did this recipe at... Thanksgiving & Christmas and my family raved over this stuffing, my mom told me that the one at Christmas was better and the only difference was at Christmas I didn't use the parmesian cheese (forgot). Also I used bacon instead of pancetta, I like bacon better. Try this recipe you will NOT be dissapointed!!!!!!!Read more
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
KIM Northville, MI 12-23-2009
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The BEST Stuffing EVER!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I don't like stuffing. At least that's what I thought before I tried THIS stuffing. I usually make stuffing because others... like it. Frankly I never saw the point for serving it. This is moist and the ciabatta bread gives the dish a little spring to the bite. It's beautiful and yummy! Thanks for sharing Giada!Read more
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
kniomy pasadena, CA 12-22-2009
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This will be it!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've tried it after watching this program on our annual Thanks Giving Friday tradition and over 40 of us LOVE IT.
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Dodie Cedar Rapids, IA 12-20-2009
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In my recipe collection forever!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

A Masterpiece! I like to do ahead for special dinners. I made this the day before, it turned out moist in the middle,... crunchy on top and the flavor was amazing. Because of where I live and limited access to specialty items, I substituted thick sliced bacon for the pancetta and pecans for the chestnuts. Guests and family devoured the entire casserole, even the carbaphobes. It's just plain irrisistable. At the request of family this will be a side for Christmas. Thank you Giada!! Dodie, Cedar Rapids, IARead more
recipe Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta
Dulce Chula Vista, CA 12-14-2009
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YUMMY
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was the 2nd year I did this stuffing and everyone LOVED it. I think the chestnuts really made the difference. I roasted... them and peeled them which required more work but manageable. This is a yearly must for Thanksgiving. Read more