Stuffing from the box will taste 'homemade' if you ditch adding hot water

As the weather cools down, there's nothing like indulging in a hearty and warm Sunday roast. While most people regard the meats as the star of the show, it's actually the side dishes that bring an abundance of flavour and texture to the meal. An underrated food is stuffing.

This is because most home cooks rely on box mixes for their convenience and taste rather than making their own. However, a food expert at AllRecipes revealed that if you ditch simply pouring hot water into the mixture and add a few ingredients instead, you'll have a 'semi-homemade stuffing with lots of flavour and texture.'

When serving their guests, the chef admitted, "I got a lot of compliments, plus it was all gone within minutes! Your guests will never know it starts from a box - unless you tell them."

This recipe aims to serve ten people from a 1 9x13-inch pan. Preparation takes just 15 minutes, and cooking takes 45 minutes.

For those looking for new ways to cook their vegetables for a Sunday Roast, click here to learn how three ingredients can make broccoli taste irresistible.

How to make boxed stuffing taste 'homemade'

Ingredients

• One teaspoon of butter
• One onion
• Three to four stalks of celery
• Two to three spring onions
• One pear
• Fresh garlic
• Fresh parsley
• Chicken broth (you can also use vegetable broth)
• Stuffing mix

Method

To begin, grease your baking dish thoroughly to prevent the stuffing from sticking. Use about a teaspoon of butter, spreading it evenly over the bottom and sides of the dish. If you prefer a faster or dairy-free option, cooking spray works just as well.

Next, dice one onion and a few stalks of celery. Slice a couple of green onions and chop one ripe pear to add a subtle sweetness and soft texture. These ingredients will give your boxed stuffing a more homemade, vibrant quality.

To boost the flavour, mince a few cloves of fresh garlic and finely chop a handful of parsley. Now, open your box of stuffing mix-choose whatever variety suits your taste or what flavour profiles accompany whatever meat you are cooking.

Finally, slowly combine all the ingredients with warm chicken broth. Add the broth gradually, mixing gently until the stuffing is tender but not soggy. Your stuffing will then be ready to be baked until crispy on top.