The Best Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe
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Packed with fresh apples, aromatic herbs, savory sausage, and buttery bread, this delicious apple sausage stuffing is a classic Thanksgiving side dish that is perfect for the holidays!
If there’s one dish that can instantly elevate any meal, it’s this simple but delicious apple sausage stuffing. Whether you’re putting together a holiday feast or just craving a hearty side, mastering this savory classic is a game-changer.
This sausage stuffing is based on our pecan apple stuffing. It is packed with buttery bread, sausage, apples, fresh herbs, and spices, to create a comfort food favorite that’s perfect on its own or stuffed into poultry, pork, or even veggies.
Looking for more amazing Thanksgiving recipes? Make sure to try our Best Southern Thanksgiving Menu and Thanksgiving Dinner for 4-6 People.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Italian sausage – We use mild Italian sausage for our stuffing but there are lot of choices out there. See below for other sausage options.
- Granny Smith Apple – One large apple helps to bring out a slightly sweet flavor in the sausage.
- Vegetables – Onions, celery, and garlic add a depth of savory flavor to the dish.
- Butter – Melted butter soaks into the bread giving it a toasted, buttery flavor.
- Bread – The bread is just as important as the sausage! See below for tips on choosing the right bread for stuffing and how to prepare it for the best results.
- Broth – You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth. It ads moisture to the stuffing giving it a soft texture.
- Egg – This acts as a binder for the stuffing.
- Herbs and spices – Fresh parsley, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper are tossed together with the stuffing to bring all of the flavors together.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Sausage Stuffing
- Prepare oven. Preheat oven to 350°F
- Cook the meat. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and use a spatula to break it up as it cooks. Cook until sausage is fully cooked. Drain excess grease from the meat and set aside.
- Cook veggies. Add the onion, celery, apples, and garlic to the same pan and cook until softened. Approximately 7 minutes.
- Combine ingredients. Add the bread cubes to an extra-large bowl along with the cooked sausage, veggies, and melted butter. Toss ingredients together.
- Add the broth. Add 1.5 cups chicken broth to the bread mixture. Sprinkle the poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley over the stuffing and gently toss until the broth is absorbed by the bread.
- Add binder. Give the mixture a taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Then crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk before adding it to the bread mixture. Gently toss together.
- Assemble. Spoon the mixture into a well-greased 3-quart or 13- x 9-inch baking pan.
- Bake uncovered. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes.
- Cover and continue baking. After 30 minutes cover with foil and continue to bake for 15-20 minutes or until top is crusty and brown.
Choosing the Right Sausage for Stuffing
The choice of sausage greatly influences the flavor:
- Italian Sausage – Italian sausage is one of the most popular choices for stuffing because of its robust flavor profile. It’s typically seasoned with fennel, garlic, and other herbs, which add depth to the stuffing. Italian sausage is available in both sweet and hot varieties, so you can customize the spice level to your preference.
- Breakfast Sausage – Mild and slightly sweet, breakfast sausage has a more subtle flavor profile than Italian sausage, making it a good choice if you prefer a less intense taste. Its blend of sage and other mild spices pairs well with traditional stuffing herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
- Plain or Mild Pork Sausage – Plain pork sausage is a blank canvas, making it ideal if you want to control the seasoning in your stuffing. You can easily add your own herbs and spices to customize it. Plain pork sausage provides a rich, meaty base that enhances other ingredients without overpowering them.
Best Types of Bread for Sausage Stuffing
The bread you choose for sausage stuffing can make all the difference in both flavor and texture. With the right bread, you’ll achieve a balance between crispy edges and a soft, moist interior, which is key to great stuffing. Here are some of the best types of bread to use for sausage stuffing:
- Sourdough Bread – Sourdough adds a subtle tangy flavor that complements the savory taste of sausage and herbs beautifully. Its dense texture allows it to absorb broth well without becoming mushy.
- Italian Bread – Italian bread is sturdy, slightly chewy, and neutral in flavor, making it a versatile choice for sausage stuffing. It balances well with both mild and spicy sausages.
- French Bread or Baguette – French bread is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, which brings a satisfying variety of textures to stuffing. It’s a neutral base, allowing sausage and herbs to shine through.
- Whole Wheat Bread – Whole wheat bread offers a hearty, slightly nutty flavor and a higher fiber content, making it a healthier option. It pairs well with rich sausage flavors and gives a more rustic stuffing.
Preparing Bread for Stuffing
Cut the Bread into Cubes
Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. This size allows the bread to absorb just the right amount of moisture while holding its shape. Aim for consistency in cube size to ensure even texture in the stuffing.
Dry Out the Bread
For the best stuffing texture, dry the bread cubes before combining them with other ingredients. There are two methods for drying out bread:
Method 1: Air Drying (Recommended if You Have Time)
- Spread the Cubes: Arrange the bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Leave Overnight: Let the cubes sit out at room temperature for 48-72 hours. The bread will naturally dry out, which will help it soak up liquid and flavors during baking without becoming mushy.
Method 2: Oven Drying (For Faster Results)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 300°F (150°C).
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even drying. Keep an eye on the bread so it doesn’t brown, as you only want to remove moisture, not toast it.
What to Serve with Apple Sausage Stuffing
Apple sausage stuffing is hearty dish that can steal the show on any table, especially during the holidays. Here are some delicious options that pair beautifully with sausage stuffing!
- Turkey – Turkey is a classic holiday pairing with sausage stuffing. The mild, tender meat balances the rich, savory flavors of stuffing. Follow these tips for The Best Way to Cook Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving Dinner and serve with homemade turkey gravy made from pan drippings to enhance both the turkey and the stuffing’s flavors,
- Mashed Potatoes – Our “Not Your Mom’s” creamy mashed potatoes are a must-have comfort food that complements sausage stuffing perfectly. The smooth texture of the potatoes complements the slightly crisp, savory stuffing. Tip: Make Instant Pot Mashed potatoes to save time!
- Green Bean Casserole – This is a creamy, comforting side that pairs well with the heartiness of sausage stuffing.
- Cranberry Fluff or Cranberry Jello – The tangy sweetness of cranberry fluff is a fantastic counterpoint to the rich, savory stuffing. The cranberry orange flavors of our cranberry jello salad complement both the stuffing and turkey.
- Apple Walnut Salad – This fresh, crisp apple walnut salad made with apples, walnuts, carrots, and mixed greens complements the savory flavors of sausage stuffing.
- Sweet Potato Casserole – The sweetness of a marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole contrasts nicely with the savory sausage stuffing. For a healthier version with tart cranberries try our Cranberry Sweet Potato Casserole
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Apple Sausage Stuffing
Packed with fresh apples, aromatic herbs, savory sausage, and buttery bread, this delicious apple sausage stuffing is a classic Thanksgiving side dish that is perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Italian sausage
- 1.5 cups Onions, diced
- 1 cup Celery, diced
- 1 large Granny Smith Apple, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 8 ounces Butter, melted
- 16 ounces Bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (10-12 cups)
- 1.5 cups Broth
- 1 large Egg
- 1/4 cup Parsley, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons Poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and use a spatula to break it up as it cooks. Cook until sausage is fully cooked. Drain excess grease from the meat and set aside.
- Add the onion, celery, apples, and garlic to the same pan and cook until softened. Approximately 7 minutes.
- Add the bread cubes to an extra-large bowl along with the cooked sausage, veggies, and melted butter. Toss ingredients together.
- Add 1.5 cups chicken broth to the bread mixture. Sprinkle the poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley over the stuffing and gently toss until the broth is absorbed by the bread.
- Give the mixture a taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Then crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk before adding it to the bread mixture. Gently toss together.
- Spoon the mixture into a well-greased 3-quart or 13- x 9-inch baking pan.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes cover with foil and continue to bake for 15-20 minutes or until top is crusty and brown.
Nutrition
Calories: 464kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 99mg, Sodium: 1041mg, Potassium: 291mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 721IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 80mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
