Sausage & Apple Stuffing
Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and of course, the incredible food! This Sausage & Apple Stuffing combines savory sausage, sweet apples, and fragrant herbs to create a flavorful side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. It's easy to make, family-friendly, and guaranteed to be a star of your thanksgiving dinner.
Equipment
- oven
- Large skillet,
- Baking dish,
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage removed from casings
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 2 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 loaf day-old bread cubed (French or Italian bread works well)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries optional, for added sweetness
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly toasted. This helps prevent the stuffing from becoming soggy.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Then, add the diced apples and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until slightly tender.
- In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, cooked sausage mixture, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, pepper, and cranberries (if using).
- Pour the chicken broth and melted butter over the bread mixture. Toss gently to combine, making sure all the bread cubes are evenly moistened. Do not over-saturate.
- Transfer the stuffing to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Let the Sausage & Apple Stuffing rest for 10 minutes before serving. This keeps it from crumbling apart.
Notes
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread and gluten-free sausage. For a vegan variation, substitute sausage with plant-based crumbles and use vegan butter. Add other fruits or vegetables like pears, cranberries, mushrooms, or butternut squash to customize flavors.