Thanksgiving Turkey with Italian Meat Stuffing

Thanksgiving Turkey with Italian Meat Stuffing
  • PREP TIME
    20 mins
  • COOK TIME
    6 hrs 10 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    6 hrs 30 mins
  • SERVING
    20 People
  • VIEWS
    18

Elevate your Thanksgiving feast with this succulent turkey, generously stuffed with a savory Italian meat mixture. A comforting classic with a flavorful twist, this recipe promises a memorable centerpiece for your holiday gathering.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    8 g
  • Cholesterol
    225 mg
  • Fiber
    1 g
  • Protein
    75 g
  • Saturated Fat
    9 g
  • Sodium
    290 mg
  • Sugar
    1 g
  • Fat
    29 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step
0 mins

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). (5 minutes)

02

Step
10 mins

Place the ground beef into a skillet, and cook and stir the meat until browned and crumbly, breaking it up into chunks as it cooks. Drain grease. Place the ground beef into a large mixing bowl. (10 minutes)

03

Step
0 mins

Tear the bread into rough chunks, and place into a bowl; soak bread in water until moistened, and squeeze the water out of the bread. Crumble the wet bread into the bowl with the ground beef. Mix in the onion, celery, mushrooms, 4 cloves of garlic, flat-leaf parsley, Parmesan cheese, and egg until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and black pepper. (15 minutes)

04

Step
0 mins

Rinse the turkey, and pat dry with paper towels. Lightly stuff the turkey with the ground beef mixture, and place into a roasting pan with a lid. Rub the turkey with olive oil, squeeze lemons over the turkey, and sprinkle 2 more cloves of garlic, the garlic powder, and more salt and black pepper over the bird. (15 minutes)

05

Step
5 hrs

Roast the turkey uncovered in the preheated oven until the skin is browned. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cover the turkey with the lid. Continue roasting until the juices run clear and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh reads 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Baste occasionally. If the bottom of the roasting pan looks dry, pour in water. (5 hours 45 minutes)

For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the ground beef while browning.
Don't overstuff the turkey, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Leave some room for the stuffing to expand.
Ensure the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
If the turkey starts to brown too quickly, tent it with foil during roasting.
Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Carmela Cole

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 5.0/ 5 ( 6 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (9)
  • Zachery Heathcote

    I added some sausage to the stuffing, and it was even better!

  • Bette Wunsch

    This is now my go-to Thanksgiving turkey recipe!

  • Triston Konopelski

    The instructions were easy to follow, and the turkey turned out perfectly. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!

  • Mallie Doyle

    Next time, I will try adding some dried cranberries to the stuffing for a touch of sweetness.

  • Brody Conn

    I had to cook the turkey longer than the recipe stated, but it was worth the wait!

  • Bernice Towne

    Make sure to baste the turkey regularly to keep it moist. I forgot to baste it a few times, and it was a little dry.

  • Kamren Rohan

    I made this for Thanksgiving last year, and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the moistness of the turkey and the delicious stuffing.

  • Claud Wisoky

    This recipe is a family favorite! The Italian meat stuffing adds so much flavor to the turkey.

  • Delmer Brekke

    My family said it was the best Thanksgiving turkey I have ever made.

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