Another thing I thought of was how easy (& filling) one of the instant stuffings are. Re-package the stuffing in a freezer bag(or stick it in a large enough pot),pour hot water in, let sit for a couple of minutes, stir, add some meat (foil pack chicken, tuna, etc.) & stuff yourself. A real good thickener for soups, chowders, etc. is instant mashed potatoes--just add until the dish is thick enough for you. The proper spices (your taste buds are in charge here) can help a lot. Why do you think soldiers (myself included, once long ago) love hot sauce in their chow?
R.