How Much Stuffing Per Person? Chart and Baking Times
Stuffing is the side everyone wants seconds of. Here's how much to make per guest, a chart for 4 to 24 guests, how long to bake it, and a make-ahead plan for Thursday, Nov 26, 2026.
The quick answer
Plan about 3/4 cup of cooked stuffing per person, or about 1 cup if it's the favorite or you want leftovers. One 12 oz bag of dry stuffing cubes (or a 1 lb loaf of bread, cubed) makes about 8 to 10 cups once moistened, enough for about 10 to 12 guests.
Stuffing chart by guests
| Guests | Cooked stuffing | Dry bread cubes | Pan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 cups | about 4 cups (1/2 bag) | 8x8 |
| 6 | 4 1/2 cups | about 6 cups | 8x8 or 11x7 |
| 8 | 6 cups | about 8 cups (1 bag) | 11x7 |
| 12 | 9 cups | about 12 cups (1 1/2 bags) | 9x13 |
| 16 | 12 cups | about 16 cups (2 bags) | 9x13 plus 8x8 |
| 20 | 15 cups | about 20 cups (2 1/2 bags) | two 9x13 |
| 24 | 18 cups | about 24 cups (3 bags) | two 9x13 |
Bread cubes are about 1 cup each per cooked cup because they soak up broth but lose air. A full 9x13 pan holds about 10 to 12 cups.
How much broth
Use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of broth per cup of dry cubes, plus melted butter and sauteed onion and celery. For one 12 oz bag, that's about 2 to 3 cups of broth and 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter. Add broth a little at a time: you want it moist, not soggy.
How long to bake stuffing
Bake stuffing in a buttered dish at 350°F:
- Covered with foil: 30 to 40 minutes, so it heats through
- Then uncovered: 15 to 20 minutes more for a crisp top
That's about 45 minutes to 1 hour in total for a 9x13 pan, or 30 to 40 minutes for an 8x8. If it was made ahead and is cold from the fridge, add 10 to 15 minutes. Stuffing with egg, sausage or meat should reach 165°F in the center.
Cooked inside the turkey?
You can, but the USDA advises cooking stuffing in a separate dish. If you do stuff the bird, pack it loosely right before roasting, add time to the roast, and check that the center of the stuffing reaches 165°F. Most hosts bake it in a dish (often called dressing) because it's safer, faster and gets a crisp top. For roast times see our turkey cooking time chart.
Make-ahead plan
- Up to 3 days ahead: cube and dry the bread, or buy dry stuffing cubes
- Wednesday, Nov 25: saute the onion and celery, mix everything, spread it in the buttered pan, cover and refrigerate
- Thursday, Nov 26: take it out 30 minutes before baking; bake while the turkey rests
Example: 12 guests, dinner at 5 PM
12 × 3/4 cup = 9 cups, so make 1 1/2 bags of cubes in one 9x13 pan with a small overflow dish. Bake at 350°F from 3:55 PM covered, uncover at 4:30 PM, and serve at 5 PM. The Thanksgiving cooking timeline fits it around the turkey.
FAQ
Is stuffing the same as dressing? It's the same dish; "stuffing" is often cooked in the bird and "dressing" in a pan, but most people use the words interchangeably.
How long do leftovers keep? 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat to 165°F, adding a splash of broth.
Can I freeze it? Yes, baked or unbaked, for up to about 1 month. Thaw it in the fridge before baking.
Plan the rest of Thanksgiving
- How much mashed potatoes per person and how much turkey per person
- How long to cook a turkey breast and the small Thanksgiving dinner for two
- Thanksgiving grocery list 2026 and the Thanksgiving dinner budget. Dessert: how many pies for Thanksgiving
Plan it on paper: the Thanksgiving Planner 2026 has the menu, shopping list and a cooking schedule.
Set the table: the Thanksgiving Food Labels printable ($3) has fold-over dish cards with diet and allergy tick boxes. Labels help guests choose, but they don't guarantee a dish is allergen-free. Hosting friends? The Friendsgiving Place Cards & Table Set ($3) adds name cards, potluck labels and a menu card.
Related template: read about the thanksgiving planner 2026 template
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
How much stuffing per person: about 3/4 cup cooked, a chart for 4 to 24 guests, broth amounts, 350F baking times and a make-ahead plan.
Cooked inside the turkey?
You can, but the USDA advises cooking stuffing in a separate dish. If you do stuff the bird, pack it loosely right before roasting, add time to the roast, and check that the center of the stuffing reaches 165°F. Most hosts bake it in a dish (often called dressing) because it's safer, faster and gets a crisp top.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.