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Savory Stuffing with Sausage

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This easy, oven-baked stuffing combines golden sausage, crusty bread, and fresh herbs for a moist, flavorful holiday side. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or cozy family dinners, it’s a crowd-pleaser that delivers nostalgic comfort with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb crusty bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (day-old preferred)
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (or 2 medium)
  • 4 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced (optional)
  • 2–3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2–2 1/2 cups chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
  • 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 10–12 minutes until lightly crisp. Let cool.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage for 7–8 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned and crumbly. Transfer to a bowl, leaving drippings in the pan.
  3. Add butter to the skillet with drippings. Sauté onions, celery, and carrots for 6–8 minutes until soft and fragrant. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine toasted bread cubes, cooked sausage, sautéed veggies, sage, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add cranberries, nuts, or Parmesan if using.
  5. Whisk together chicken broth and eggs in a separate bowl. Pour slowly over bread mixture, tossing gently. The stuffing should be damp but not soaked—add broth bit by bit if needed.
  6. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon stuffing mixture into dish, pressing gently to even out. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp. For extra crunch, broil for 2–3 minutes, watching closely.
  8. Let stuffing rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Toast bread cubes for best texture. Use fresh herbs for optimal flavor. Add broth gradually to avoid soggy stuffing. For gluten-free, use GF bread and sausage. For dairy-free, substitute olive oil for butter and vegetable broth for chicken broth. Let stuffing rest before serving for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing, sausage stuffing, holiday side, Thanksgiving, Christmas, oven-baked, easy stuffing, savory stuffing, bread stuffing, comfort food

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/savory-stuffing-with-sausage-recipe-easy-moist-oven-baked-holiday-side/