Description
This Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing is a deliciously savory and slightly sweet side dish that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any special meal. The combination of Italian sausage, tart apples, tangy cranberries, and aromatic herbs creates a flavorful stuffing that pairs beautifully with roasted meats.
Ingredients
Scale
Italian Sausage Mixture:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or sweet), casings removed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (12-ounce) loaf of day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles, about 7–8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables and fruits: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion and celery until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, diced apples, cranberries, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes more until apples are slightly tender.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked sausage, sautéed mixture, and bread cubes. In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth and eggs, then pour over the stuffing mixture. Toss until evenly moistened.
- Bake: Transfer to the prepared baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy on top.
Notes
- Use a rustic country loaf or sourdough for best texture.
- You can make this stuffing a day ahead and bake it just before serving.
- For extra crunch, stir in chopped pecans or walnuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
