What Is Sausage Stuffing? A Savory Holiday Side Dish
Sausage stuffing is a rich, flavorful dish made with sausage, bread cubes, and aromatic seasonings, perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or family dinners. Its appeal lies in the harmonious blend of hearty bread cubes, savory sausage, and fragrant herbs, creating a dish that’s both indulgent and practical. Whether enjoyed during holiday meals or cozy gatherings at home, this recipe satisfies cravings with its luxurious taste. Its versatility ensures it caters to various dietary preferences, including gluten-free, vegetarian, or low-sodium options, ensuring everyone can indulge. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, sausage stuffing proves that great comfort food doesn’t require hours of active prep.
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Stuffing Recipe
This sausage stuffing recipe stands out for its unique appeal: hearty bread cubes, savory sausage, and fragrant herbs in every bite. It’s ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or cozy gatherings at home, providing a delightful experience for any event. The adaptability of this dish ensures it fits seamlessly into vegan, nut-free, or keto diets, making it inclusive for diverse needs. Whether you’re serving it as a show-stopping side dish or preparing it for a cozy gathering, this recipe offers a delightful experience. With its ease of preparation and irresistible flavors, sausage stuffing proves that homemade comfort food can still rival gourmet creations.
Key Ingredients for Making Perfect Sausage Stuffing
To create the ultimate sausage stuffing, gather these essentials: Use cubed bread (12 cups), toasted until firm like croutons. Cook ground breakfast sausage or sweet Italian sausage (1 lb) with yellow onion (1 large, diced), celery ribs (3, diced), and garlic (3 cloves, minced). Bind the mixture with large eggs (2, whisked) and chicken broth (3 cups, room temperature). Season with dried parsley (2 teaspoons), rosemary (2 teaspoons), thyme (2 teaspoons), ground sage (¼ teaspoon), and black pepper (¼ teaspoon). Add salted butter (1 stick, divided into 8 tablespoons) for richness. Optional add-ins include dried cranberries (⅓ cup) or diced apples (2 Gala apples). Dietary substitutions like gluten-free bread, plant-based butter, or vegetable broth cater to specific needs without compromising taste. Each component ensures stuffing that’s rich, flavorful, and utterly satisfying.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Sausage Stuffing
Making sausage stuffing is simple with this clear guide. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Spread bread cubes evenly on a large baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, toss, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until firm like croutons. Set aside. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add sausage, onions, and celery; cook and crumble for about 10 minutes, or until cooked through. Transfer the mixture, along with drippings, to the toasted bread cubes. Toss to coat. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the skillet for flavor. Add garlic and seasonings; cook for 2 minutes. Drizzle over the bread cubes and toss to coat. Transfer the bread mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Whisk eggs and chicken broth together, ensuring the broth is room temperature. Pour half of the mixture over the stuffing; toss to coat. Gradually add more broth until the stuffing is moist but not soggy. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for 35 more minutes, or until golden brown and firm. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. This straightforward process ensures flawless results every time.
Tips for Achieving the Best Texture and Flavor in Sausage Stuffing
Achieving the best results with sausage stuffing involves using hearty bread, such as Italian loaves, to prevent sogginess, ensuring an authentic taste. Avoid adding hot broth to the eggs to prevent scrambling, enhancing its texture. Let the stuffing rest for 10–15 minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld, creating visually appealing portions. These expert tips guarantee stuffing that’s consistently flavorful, visually stunning, and ready to impress with every bite. With minimal effort, you can elevate your cooking game and create a dish that’s both comforting and gourmet-worthy, perfect for any occasion.
How to Customize Your Sausage Stuffing for Unique Twists
Customizing your sausage stuffing opens up endless possibilities for flavor exploration. For a low-carb option, replace bread cubes with cauliflower rice or crushed pork rinds, catering to health-conscious preferences. Create a vegan version by swapping sausage with plant-based alternatives, using vegetable broth, and omitting eggs or replacing them with flax eggs, ensuring inclusivity for diverse diets. Add smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs like sage for extra depth, bringing warmth and intrigue to the dish. Incorporate dried cranberries, diced apples, pecans, or mushrooms for added variety, adding a unique flair to the classic recipe. These creative ideas cater to diverse tastes while maintaining the stuffing’s signature simplicity, ensuring a delightful experience every time.
Serving Suggestions: Pairing Sausage Stuffing with Main Dishes or Drinks
Sausage stuffing pairs beautifully with complementary main dishes and drinks, creating a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy it with roasted turkey, ham, or mashed potatoes for a hearty dining experience. Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan for indulgence, elevating its rich flavors. Complement its savory notes with beverages like sparkling cider, red wine, or hot apple cider, adding refreshment to your spread. These thoughtful pairings ensure sausage stuffing remains a versatile and crowd-pleasing addition to any dining occasion.
Storage Tips: How to Store and Reheat Leftover Sausage Stuffing
To keep your sausage stuffing tasting fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Cool completely before freezing in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Warm gently in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 15–20 minutes or microwave for individual portions. Add a splash of broth to restore moisture if needed. These storage techniques guarantee stuffing that remains flavorful, convenient, and ready to enjoy whenever cravings strike, ensuring no bite goes to waste.
See Also:
- Kielbasa Sausage Recipes with Sauerkraut and Avocado
- Sausage Green Bean Potato Casserole
- Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
Frequently Asked Questions About Sausage Stuffing
Q: Can I use pre-made bread cubes instead of toasting my own?
A: Yes, but adjust the amount of broth as pre-made cubes may absorb liquid differently.
Q: What can I substitute for sausage?
A: Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based sausage works well for similar results.
Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: It can be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free bread and broth.
Q: How do I prevent the stuffing from being too dry?
A: Add broth gradually and ensure the bread is evenly coated without being overly wet.
Q: Can I prepare the stuffing ahead of time?
A: Yes, assemble and refrigerate for up to 2 days; bake just before serving.
Why Sausage Stuffing Is a Must-Try for Any Occasion
Sausage stuffing stands out for its savory texture, bold flavors, and ease of preparation, making it ideal for family dinners, casual snacks, or festive gatherings. Whether served as part of a comforting meal or as a standout dish during celebrations, it brings joy and satisfaction to any occasion. Experiment with variations and presentations to make it your own, ensuring a delightful experience every time. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, this recipe proves that homemade dishes can still rival gourmet creations. Try it today it might just become your new go-to way to elevate any gathering or celebration.
Print
Sausage Stuffing
- Total Time: 90 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
Sausage stuffing is a savory, comforting holiday side dish made with toasted bread cubes, seasoned sausage, aromatic vegetables, herbs, and broth. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or family dinners, it blends hearty textures and rich flavors in every bite. This versatile recipe adapts easily to dietary needs, including gluten-free, low-carb, or vegan variations, while still delivering indulgent, homemade comfort.
Ingredients
Bread & Base
- 12 cups cubed bread, toasted until firm (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 lb ground breakfast sausage or sweet Italian sausage
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 celery ribs, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Binders
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 3 cups chicken broth (room temperature)
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, divided
Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Add-ins
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- 2 diced Gala apples
- Pecans, mushrooms, fresh herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Spread bread cubes on a large baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Toss and bake another 10 minutes until firm like croutons. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add sausage, onions, and celery. Cook and crumble for ~10 minutes until sausage is cooked through.
- Transfer sausage mixture (with drippings) to the toasted bread cubes and toss.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and all seasonings; cook 2 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
- Drizzle seasoned butter over the bread mixture and toss to coat.
- Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish.
- Whisk eggs and room-temperature broth together.
- Pour half of the mixture over stuffing and toss. Gradually add more broth until stuffing is moist but not soggy.
- Cover and bake 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake 35 minutes more, or until golden brown and firm.
- Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use sturdy bread such as Italian, sourdough, or French bread to prevent sogginess.
- Avoid adding hot broth to eggs to prevent scrambling.
- Letting the stuffing rest improves texture and flavor.
- Customize with apples, cranberries, pecans, mushrooms, or fresh herbs.
- Low-carb option: replace bread with cauliflower rice or crushed pork rinds.
- Vegan option: use plant-based sausage, vegetable broth, plant butter, and flax eggs.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 recipe
- Calories: ~320
- Sugar: ~5 g
- Sodium: ~720 mg
- Fat: ~18 g
- Saturated Fat: ~8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~28 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Protein: ~12 g
- Cholesterol: ~75 mg
