Sausage Stuffing
This sausage stuffing recipe combines crusty bread cubes, mild Italian sausage, and fresh herbs to create a moist, flavorful side dish perfect for holiday meals or any comforting feast.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound firm white sandwich bread (French or Italian bread) cut into ½-¾ inch cubes (about 10 cups)
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage ensure it is made with permissible meat
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock or broth may need to add ½ cup more depending on bread moisture
- 2 eggs beaten
Instructions
Prepare the Bread Cubes
- Cut firm white sandwich bread into ½ to ¾ inch cubes. Use slightly stale bread or toast the cubes lightly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes until dry but not browned. Set the cubes aside in a large mixing bowl.
Cook the Sausage and Vegetables
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the ground mild Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add diced onion and celery. Sauté until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Combine Ingredients
- Return cooked sausage to the skillet with vegetables. Stir in fresh parsley, sage, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Transfer sausage and vegetable mixture to the bowl with bread cubes. Gently toss to evenly distribute.
Add the Broth and Eggs
- Pour 2 cups of broth over the bread mixture. Toss gently to moisten evenly. Add up to ½ cup more broth if needed to avoid dryness.
- Add beaten eggs and fold into the stuffing mixture to help bind it together.
Bake the Stuffing
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer stuffing to a greased baking dish and spread evenly.
- Cover dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until top is golden brown and crispy. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish
- Oven
Notes
Use slightly stale bread or toast fresh bread cubes to prevent sogginess. Adjust broth amount as needed for perfect moisture. Fresh herbs enhance flavor; dried herbs can be substituted at one-third the quantity. For texture, sprinkle toasted nuts before baking. Variations include vegetarian sausage, spicy sausage, adding fruit or nuts, and cheese. Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3-4 days or frozen up to 2 months. Reheat covered in oven at 350°F (175°C).