This sausage stuffing recipe is all that and more. It’s delicious, comes together quickly and easily, and leaves everyone wanting more. It’s made with juicy Italian sausage, lightly toasted bread, fresh sage and, onions, garlic, and loads of flavor and texture. I think we can all agree at this point, that when serving a Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey dinner, sometimes it’s the sides that are the showstoppers! I’ve tried a lot of different stuffing recipes over the years, and this recipe for sausage stuffing is right up there, along with my classic buttery herb stuffing and my Crockpot Stuffing, as my favorites. It’s quite flexible in terms of ingredients, with the option of adding in your own personal flare. I love it the way it is, but by all means, you do you. If you like a little heat, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild. If you like a little extra seasoning, poultry seasoning is an optional add-in. Need some more mushrooms in your life? Stuffing recipes are neat like that. It’s a bunch of ingredients that come together in harmony, but still, there’s always room to get creative.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Bread: I use white bread for this recipe and because it’s toasted, it’s ok if it’s day-old bread. Regular sandwich bread, French or Italian bread are great choices for soaking up the flavors without turning to mush.Sausage: Mild Italian sausage comes with its own seasoning but if you like a little heat in yours, swap it for hot Italian sausage. Just make sure you know your audience!Aromatics: Is there anything better than onions and garlic that gets cooked down in butter? No, I didn’t think so!Celery: Adds a very nice, crispy bite to this sausage stuffing and balances out the heavier ingredients.Herbs: Fresh parsley and sage add a wonderful vibrant herbed flavor pairing that brings the entire dish up a notch.Salt & pepper: A bit of this traditional pairing just to bring out all of the flavors of the other ingredients and to round out the dish nicely.Stock: Chicken or vegetable stock or broth is used to add moisture (and even more flavor) to the stuffing.Eggs: Used as a binder to hold the stuffing together cohesively which makes for easier spooning and serving later on!
How to Make this Sausage Stuffing
Tips and Tricks
Stale or day-old bread works best, but not all the way necessary since you’re toasting it anyway. It’s just added assurance that your bread won’t get soggy from the liquid.Toast the bread days ahead if need be. Once it’s toasted it’ll act like a crouton and won’t go bad for quite some time.Make-ahead by assembling the dish earlier on in the day and covering it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.Bake covered so that it doesn’t brown too quickly, otherwise, it’ll become too crispy too soon.Look for Italian sausage without the casings, it usually comes in a bulk package. If you can’t, just buy regular sausage and remove the casings before adding the sausage to the skillet.
Variations & Add-ins
For a sweet and tart note, add in some chopped apple along with the celery. They both have a delicious crispy texture and complementary flavors.Dried cranberries or raisins would be a hit if apples aren’t your jam.Toss in some chopped almonds or pecans for a nutty crunch.Medium or spicy sausage for a kick might be nice. If you make two, you could do one of each.Add in some chopped mushroom for an earthy savory addition with a different textural component. Think about swapping the white bread for a sourdough, or even a sweet or savory cornbread.
What to Serve With Sausage Stuffing
If this is your first time planning a Thanksgiving dinner for your friends and family, rest assured, I’ve got you covered! The ultimate guide to Thanksgiving turkey is a great place to start if a turkey is on your menu! If you’re hosting a smaller crowd, and a turkey is too big, think about serving sausage stuffing alongside roasted cornish hens or an easy dutch oven chicken instead. Sausage stuffing is just one of the many delicious side dishes to add to your table along with cranberry sauce, brown sugar glazed carrots, bacon wrapped asparagus, or Instant Pot Brussel sprouts. Need an appetizer? These adorable handheld cranberry brie bites are always a hit! Now that you’re menu is all set, from my family to yours, Bon Appetit! Don’t forget to pin this recipe so other people can enjoy this jazzed-up version of stuffing too! © Little Sunny Kitchen
