Old Fashioned Sausage Stuffing with Apples is a dish that embodies tradition and comfort, making it the perfect addition to any gathering. With just the right blend of savory and sweet, this stuffing is sure to become a cherished family favorite for the holidays.
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This Old Fashioned Sausage Stuffing with Apples captures the essence of those cherished moments spent around the table with loved ones. It’s super easy to make and is always a hit.
This delightful side dish combines the richness of Italian sausage, the tartness of Granny Smith apples, and the sweetness of dried cranberries, all bound together with fragrant herbs and spices.
If you’re looking for more stuffing recipes, try these Slow Cooker Mushroom Stuffing, Grandma’s Sage and Onion Stuffing and Crock Pot Stuffing and Chicken.
Why We Love This Sausage and Apple Stuffing Recipe
Discover what makes this sausage and apple stuffing recipe truly special. From its quick preparation time to its family-friendly appeal and the promise of delightful leftovers, this recipe embodies the essence of a perfect side dish. It is an easy sausage and homemade stuffing recipes you can make.
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
- 30 Minute Meal: With this stuffing, you’ll have a delicious side dish on the table in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic weeknight dinners. This classic stuffing with sausage is one of the best sausage stuffing recipes you will ever make.
- Family Friendly: The savory sausage and sweet apples strike the perfect balance. It is one of the best stuffing recipes they will love. Perfect for your thanksgiving table.
- Thanksgiving Stuffing Makes Great Leftovers: You can use leftovers as a filling for sandwiches, serve it alongside eggs for a hearty breakfast, or simply reheat it for another satisfying meal.
Ingredient Notes for Homemade Sausage Stuffing
- Italian Sausage: This old fashioned sausage stuffing recipe calls for Italian sage sausage, which adds a rich and savory flavor to the dish. This is a perfect thanksgiving side dish.
- Poultry Seasoning: Poultry seasoning is a crucial ingredient, giving the stuffing that classic Thanksgiving taste. Full of sage and thyme. Plus a little salt and pepper.
- Granny Smith Apple: The tartness of Granny Smith apples adds a delightful contrast to the savory sausage and helps keep the stuffing from becoming overly sweet.
- Italian Bread Cubes: The choice of bread is essential in stuffing. Italian bread cubes have a great texture for stuffing and absorb the flavors beautifully. Or use store-bought stuffing cubes.
- Cranberries: Dried cranberries add a pop of color and a hint of sweetness to the stuffing, balancing the savory flavors.
- Turkey Stock: Using turkey stock infuses the stuffing with a subtle turkey flavor, tying it perfectly to the Thanksgiving meal.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Sausage Stuffing Recipe
Explore these variations and substitutions to tailor the stuffing to your taste or add a unique twist that’ll surprise and delight your guests. Make in advance and get ready place in a prepared baking dish.
- Different Kind of Bread: While Italian traditional bread cubes work wonderfully, you can experiment with other bread types like sourdough or cornbread for unique flavors and textures for this easy stuffing recipe.
- Different Apples: Although Granny Smith apples are recommended, you can try other apple varieties for slightly different flavor profiles.
- Slow Cooker: Instead of baking this bread sausage stuffing in the oven in a casserole dish, add all the prepared ingredients into your slow cooker and cook on low for about 3-4 hours. Add a little more butter or broth if it gets too dry.
How to Make Sausage Apple Cranberry Stuffing
These are the basic steps for making Sausage Apple Cranberry Stuffing. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Cook the Sausage, Celery, and Onion
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage until it’s no longer pink. Then, add diced celery and onions and continue cooking until the sausage is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
Step 2: Add Apples and Seasonings
Next, add minced fresh thyme, poultry seasoning, and the diced Granny Smith apples to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for a few more minutes to soften the apples slightly.
Step 3: Mix Bread Cubes with Nuts and Fruit
In a large bowl, combine the dried Italian bread cubes, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans. Then, add the sausage and apple mixture from the skillet and mix everything together.
Step 4: Add Egg and Turkey Stock for Moist Stuffing
Whisk an egg into the turkey or chicken stock and pour this mixture over the bread cubes and pork sausage mixture. Stir to ensure the cubes are evenly moistened and everything is well combined.
Step 5: Butter Baking Dish and Bake
Use a stick of butter to grease the baking dish. Transfer the bread and sausage mixture to a baking dish covered in butter and bake.
Recipe FAQs for Sausage and Herb Stuffing Side Dish
Expert Tips for Making Cranberry Sausage Apple Stuffing
To take your cranberry sausage apple stuffing from great to exceptional, here are some expert tips and tricks that will help you achieve a mouthwatering result. These insights will elevate your stuffing game and impress your guests.
- Toast Bread: For a crispier texture in your stuffing, consider toasting the bread cubes before using them in the recipe.
- Sausage Dressing: Make stuffing with jimmy dean pork breakfast sausage in place of traditional sausage.
- Top with Fresh Herbs: Garnish your stuffing with fresh herbs like parsley or sage for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.
- Pears: To add a fruity twist, you can also incorporate diced pears into your stuffing mixture for a unique flavor combination.
What to Serve with Old Fashioned Sausage Stuffing with Apples
Old Fashioned Sausage Stuffing with Apples
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup Celery, diced
- ½ cup Onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme, minced
- 2 teaspoons Poultry seasoning, homemade or store-bought
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 8 cups Italian bread cubes, dried
- 1 cup Dried Cranberries
- ½ cup Pecans, chopped
- 2 cups Turkey stock
- 1 Egg
- ¼ teaspoon Salt and pepper, each
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook sausage, making sure to break it up into fine pieces.
- Cook for about 5 minutes then add celery and onions; continue cooking until sausage is no longer pink.
- Add thyme, poultry seasoning and apples; stir to combine.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes to soften apples a bit.
- Meanwhile, place dried bread cubes in a large bowl.
- Stir in cranberries and pecans.
- Add sausage and apple mixture to bread cubes; stir to combine.
- Taste for seasoning; add salt and pepper as needed.
- Whisk egg into turkey stock and pour over bread cubes; stir to combine.
- Place mixture in a buttered baking dish.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Toast Bread: For a crispier texture in your stuffing, consider toasting the bread cubes before using them in the recipe.
- Sausage Dressing: Make stuffing with jimmy dean pork breakfast sausage in place of traditional sausage.
- Top with Fresh Herbs: Garnish your stuffing with fresh herbs like parsley or sage for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.
- Pears: To add a fruity twist, you can also incorporate diced pears into your stuffing mixture for a unique flavor combination.
