Few dishes capture the comforting essence of a holiday meal like Stuffing with Sausage, Apple & Sage. This classic side dish combines the savory richness of sausage, the subtle sweetness of apples, and the earthy aroma of fresh herbs to create a stuffing that’s hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. Whether served alongside roast turkey or enjoyed on its own, this recipe brings warmth and balance to your holiday table — the perfect mix of textures and tastes that makes every bite feel like celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Stuffing Recipe
- Perfect flavor balance: The sausage adds depth, the apples bring brightness, and the herbs tie everything together.
- Ideal texture: Crispy golden top, moist and tender inside.
- Customizable: Works beautifully with cornbread, sourdough, or classic sandwich bread.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare in advance and bake just before serving.
- Crowd-pleasing: Savory, aromatic, and elegant enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Ingredients for Stuffing with Sausage, Apple & Sage
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, removed from casings)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 cups cubed bread (day-old or toasted, about 1 loaf)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon rosemary, minced
- 2 ½ cups chicken or turkey broth (plus more as needed)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
If your bread isn’t already stale, cube it and spread on a baking sheet. Toast in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until dry and lightly golden. This helps the bread absorb flavor without getting soggy.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage and Vegetables
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and crumbly, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, leaving a tablespoon of fat in the pan. Add butter to the same pan, then sauté onion and celery for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant. Stir in garlic, apples, sage, thyme, and rosemary; cook for another 2–3 minutes until the apples start to soften.
Step 3: Combine Everything
In the mixing bowl with the sausage, add the toasted bread cubes and cooked vegetables. Toss gently to mix. Pour in the melted butter and about 2 cups of broth, stirring lightly to moisten. The bread should be soft but not mushy. Whisk the eggs with the remaining broth and pour over the mixture, folding until evenly combined.
Step 4: Bake the Stuffing
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer the stuffing mixture into it, spreading evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp. For extra crunch, broil for 2 minutes at the end.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or a few extra sage leaves. Serve warm as a side to roasted turkey, chicken, or ham.
Flavor and Texture Profile
This Stuffing with Sausage, Apple & Sage delivers everything you want in a holiday side dish — hearty, fragrant, and full of contrast. The savory sausage provides richness, the apples add a light sweetness, and the herbs bring warmth and depth. The bread soaks up all those flavors while staying soft inside with a crisp, golden top. Every forkful combines comfort and sophistication in perfect harmony.
Tips for Perfect Stuffing
- Use day-old or toasted bread: Fresh bread will make your stuffing soggy.
- Balance the moisture: The mixture should be damp but not wet — add broth gradually.
- Taste before baking: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra herbs if needed.
- Choose the right apples: Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape best.
- Make it your own: Add dried cranberries, chestnuts, or mushrooms for extra flavor.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: Assemble the stuffing (without baking) up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Add a splash of broth before baking if needed.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15–20 minutes, covered with foil.
- Freezing: Freeze fully baked stuffing for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Variations and Add-Ons
- Cornbread Stuffing: Use half cornbread and half French bread for a Southern-style twist.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the sausage and use vegetable broth; add extra apples or mushrooms.
- Sweet and Savory: Mix in dried cranberries or golden raisins for a subtle sweetness.
- Nutty Flavor: Add toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- Spicy Option: Use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought stuffing mix?
Yes, but skip the added seasonings — the fresh herbs, sausage, and apples will provide plenty of flavor.
Can I stuff the turkey with this recipe?
Yes, but make sure the stuffing reaches 165°F (74°C) inside the turkey for safety. Alternatively, bake it separately for crispier texture.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free bread cubes and check that your sausage and broth are gluten-free.
Can I use sweet apples instead of tart ones?
Yes, but reduce the amount of added butter slightly to balance the sweetness.
How do I keep stuffing moist when reheating?
Add a splash of broth and cover with foil before reheating in the oven.
Stuffing with Sausage, Apple & Sage
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- oven-safe 9×13 baking dish
- Whisk
- Foil
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 cups cubed bread (day-old or toasted, about 1 loaf)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 0.5 teaspoon rosemary, minced
- 2.5 cups chicken or turkey broth (plus more as needed)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 handful fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- If your bread isn’t already stale, cube it and spread on a baking sheet. Toast in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until dry and lightly golden.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and crumbly, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, leaving 1 tbsp of fat in the pan. Add butter, sauté onion and celery 5 minutes, then stir in garlic, apples, sage, thyme, and rosemary; cook 2–3 minutes more.
- In the mixing bowl with sausage, add bread cubes and vegetable mixture. Toss gently. Pour in melted butter and about 2 cups broth, stirring lightly. Whisk eggs with remaining broth and fold into the mix until evenly combined.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer stuffing into it. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes, uncover and bake 20 more minutes until golden. Broil 2 minutes if extra crispness is desired.
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or sage leaves. Serve warm with turkey, chicken, or ham.
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Stuffing with Sausage, Apple & Sage is the epitome of holiday comfort — a beautiful balance of savory, sweet, and herby flavors wrapped in the perfect golden crust. The aroma of sage and apple mingling with sizzling sausage fills your kitchen with warmth and anticipation. Easy to make, endlessly customizable, and always crowd-pleasing, it’s a dish that feels like home on every holiday table. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy winter dinner, this stuffing will be remembered long after the plates are cleared — hearty, fragrant, and absolutely unforgettable.
