Coming in for Noah Atubolu, visiting goalkeeper Florian Muller was immediately brought into action to deny a venomous strike from Nick Woltemade, although there was nothing he could do to stop Anthony Rouault’s header from the ensuing corner.
Alexander Nubel was left helpless by a Maximilian Rosenfelder header at the other end moments later, but the offside flag ensured Die Schwaben’s lead remained intact.
Their advantage was doubled in the 17th minute, as Ermedin Demirovic got a glancing header on Angelo Stiller’s cross to score against his former club for the second time this season.
Things soon got even worse for Freiburg with Matthias Ginter going off injured, but their luck turned slightly before the half-hour mark.
Jamie Leweling glided past Rosenfelder and stood the ball up for Demirovic to power his header in despite Muller’s efforts, before the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside in the build-up.
Stuttgart were undeterred and created further problems with Philipp Lienhart doing just enough to stop Demirovic either side of Atakan Karazor’s flick being saved.
Another blow was struck before the break though, as Leweling won a penalty from Rosenfelder, and Woltemade sent Muller the wrong way to convert from the spot and send his side in three goals ahead.
Merlin Rohl fizzed a shot agonisingly past the post eight minutes after the break, providing a rare scare for Die Schwaben who remained in control of the situation while Sebastian Hoeness made substitutions - perhaps looking towards his side’s vital UEFA Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday.
Freiburg still kept trying to make things happen but were unable to work Nubel, as Ritsu Doan’s venomous attempt was blocked.
Jacob Bruun Larsen found fellow substitute Deniz Undav, but he was too ponderous and was closed down, yet he didn’t make the same mistake moments later and fired past Muller with the help of a slight deflection off Jordy Makengo.
That added an extra layer of gloss to the scoreline as Stuttgart comfortably recorded their fourth consecutive win to overtake RB Leipzig and occupy a Champions League place.
In contrast, Freiburg have lost back-to-back Bundesliga matches for the first time since February and conceded eight goals in the process.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)