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Stuffing with Sausage, Apple & Sage

Stuffing with Sausage, Apple & Sage

The Crispy Chef
This hearty stuffing brings together savory sausage, sweet apples, and aromatic herbs in a perfect holiday side dish with a crispy golden top and tender center.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 360 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • oven-safe 9x13 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 9x13-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

For best results, use day-old or toasted bread. Adjust broth gradually to avoid soggy stuffing. Add dried cranberries or mushrooms for variation. Assemble ahead and bake just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 12gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 740mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 2.1mg
Keyword holiday side dish, make-ahead stuffing, sausage apple stuffing, thanksgiving stuffing
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