Apple Sausage Stuffing is the ultimate comfort dish that brings together the savory flavors of sausage with the sweet and tart notes of apples. Ideal for Thanksgiving dinner or as a perfect side for any cozy family meal, this stuffing recipe is easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at your dinner table!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for Apple Sausage Stuffing
- How to Make Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Tips for Making Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Make-Ahead Instructions
- Storing Leftovers
- Freezing Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Reheating Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Serving Suggestions
- FAQs
- Try these Apple Sausage Stuffing related recipes next!
- Savory Bread Pudding
- Homemade Cornbread Stuffing
- Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Classic Stuffing with Sage
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful Fusion. This stuffing combines sweet apples, savory sausage, and fragrant herbs, creating a delightful balance that will please your taste buds and turn heads during dinner!
- Easy to Prepare. With straightforward steps, you’ll have this crowd-pleaser ready in no time — making it perfect for busy holiday gatherings!
- Versatile Dish. Serve this stuffing as a side or use it to stuff your turkey for an added burst of flavor.
Ingredients for Apple Sausage Stuffing
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Italian Sausage: Provides a savory base. Use mild or spicy according to preference.
- Apples: Adds sweetness and texture — Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well.
- Celery and Onion: These aromatics add depth of flavor.
- Herbs: Fresh sage and thyme lend an aromatic quality and the traditional stuffing flavor.
- Vegetable Broth: Moistens the stuffing and infuses more flavor.
- Bread Cubes: The base for your stuffing; use stale bread or a mixture of baguettes and sourdough for rich texture.
How to Make Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Remove and drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet, add diced onions and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in diced apples, herbs, and seasonings, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine sausage, sautéed mixture, and bread cubes. Pour in vegetable broth gradually, mixing well until moistened.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until crisp on top.
Tips for Making Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Add Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans can add a delightful texture contrast.
- Toast Bread Cubes: Toasting the cubes before adding them to the stuffing mixture enhances their flavor and prevents them from becoming too mushy.
- Experiment with Apples: Try different varieties of apples to discover your favorite combination.
Make-Ahead Instructions
- Prepare the stuffing a day in advance, covering it tightly with foil and refrigerate.
- On the day of serving, bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Make ahead and freeze the uncooked stuffing in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- To bake, thaw in the fridge overnight and adjust baking time as needed.
Reheating Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick warming option.
- For larger portions, bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
FAQs
Can I use store-bought sausage?
Absolutely! Using pre-cooked or store-bought sausage can save time and is perfectly valid in this recipe.
Can this stuffing recipe be made vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute Italian sausage with a plant-based sausage or omit it entirely, using extra vegetables for flavor.
What kind of bread should I use?
Any bread works; however, sourdough and baguette provide great textural contrast.
Can I bake this stuffing in the turkey?
Yes, stuff inside the cavity of the turkey right before baking for flavorful, moist stuffing.
How can I add more flavor?
Consider adding dried cranberries for a sweet-tart flavor or more herbs like rosemary for extra depth.
Savory Bread Pudding
Homemade Cornbread Stuffing
Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash
Classic Stuffing with Sage
Apple Sausage Stuffing: A Delicious Twist on Classic Stuffing
6 servings
Apple Sausage Stuffing blends sweet-tart apples with savory sausage and herbs for a cozy, comforting side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
| 1 lb ground pork sausage | |
| 6 cups cubed day-old bread | |
| 1 large apple, peeled and diced | |
| 1 small onion, diced | |
| 2 celery stalks, diced | |
| 2 cloves garlic, minced | |
| 1 cup chicken broth | |
| 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter | |
| 1 tsp dried sage | |
| 1/2 tsp dried thyme | |
| Salt and pepper to taste | |
| Optional: 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley |
Preparation
1 Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
2 In a skillet, cook the sausage until browned and crumbled; remove excess fat.
3 In the same skillet, sauté onion and celery until softened; add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4 Stir in diced apple, dried sage and thyme; remove from heat.
5 Toss bread cubes with sausage mixture, melted butter, and enough chicken broth to moisten. Season with salt and pepper.
6 Transfer to the prepared dish and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden and edges are crispy.
Notes
- Can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
- Substitute sausage with turkey sausage for a lighter option.
- For a sweeter twist, add a handful of chopped dried cranberries.
Recipe Details
Preparation
15 minutes
Cooking
50 minutes
Category
Side Dish
Method
Baking
Cuisine
American
Nutrition
Serving Size
1 plate
Calories
420
Sugar
7g
Sodium
880mg
Fat
26g
Saturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
0.5g
Carbohydrates
40g
Fiber
6g
Protein
15g
Cholesterol
95mg
