When you think about big family dinners, what comes to mind? For me, it is the aroma of savory dishes filling the house. And at the center of it all is a fantastic stuffing. I have tried so many stuffing recipes over the years, and this one truly stands out.
It is simple, packed with classic flavors, and always gets rave reviews. It is the kind of side dish that feels special enough for a celebration but is easy enough to make whenever you get a craving. Let’s get into making a stuffing that everyone will remember.
Jump To:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love about a warm, comforting side dish? This recipe is a keeper for so many reasons. First off, the flavor combination is just incredible. You get the savory richness from the Italian sausage, which is a wonderful start.
Then you have the fresh herbs. The rosemary, sage, and thyme bring such a fragrant, earthy quality. It smells exactly like a holiday kitchen should. It is one of those classic traditional stuffing recipes that feels both nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
The texture is another big win. Nobody enjoys a dry stuffing. This recipe ensures every bite is moist and tender on the inside. But it also gets that beautiful golden brown top with slightly crispy edges. It is the best of both worlds.
We also add a little surprise with dried cranberries. They offer a pop of sweetness that cuts through the richness of the sausage. It creates a really balanced and interesting flavor profile. You will find yourself going back for another spoonful just to get another cranberry.
Another great thing is how straightforward it is. You do not need any fancy equipment or complicated techniques. Everything comes together in one skillet before heading into the oven. It is great for beginners or anyone who wants a reliable dish without a lot of fuss.
This is one of those stuffing recipes for Thanksgiving that will steal the show. But do not just save it for one day a year. It is also a fantastic addition to a Sunday roast chicken or a pork dinner. It makes any meal feel a little more special.
Plus, it makes the entire house smell absolutely amazing while it bakes. That cozy, herby, savory scent is part of the experience. It builds anticipation and gets everyone excited for the meal to come. It’s a true crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these stuffing recipes is all about classic, comforting flavors. You should be able to find everything easily at your local grocery store. Here is what you will need to gather.
- 1 pound ground mild Italian chicken sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- 2 ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 (12 ounce) bag herbed stuffing mix
Let’s talk a little about these ingredients. For the sausage, mild Italian chicken sausage keeps things a bit lighter. However, you could easily use pork sausage if you prefer a richer flavor. Just be sure to drain any excess fat.
Fresh herbs are really key here. While you can use dried herbs in a pinch, fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme provide a much more vibrant and aromatic flavor. It truly makes a difference in these Christmas stuffing recipes.
When it comes to the stuffing mix, an herbed variety adds an extra layer of seasoning. It is a great shortcut that saves time without sacrificing taste. Feel free to use your favorite brand. A cornbread stuffing mix would also be a delicious variation.
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get cooking. Following these steps will guide you to a perfect pan of stuffing every single time. It is a simple process that yields wonderful results.
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Sausage
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is heating up, grab a casserole dish. A 9×13 inch dish works great, but a 9×9 inch one will give you a thicker stuffing. Grease it with some nonstick spray and set it aside.
Next, place a large skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add your ground Italian chicken sausage. Let it cook for about five minutes. This initial cooking time helps to render some of the fat and get the browning process started.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Now it is time to build those layers of flavor. Add the diced yellow onion and celery to the skillet with the sausage. Then sprinkle in your minced fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme. Give everything a good stir to combine it all together.
Continue cooking, stirring occasionally. You want the sausage to be cooked through with no pink remaining. The vegetables should become soft and tender. This should take about ten minutes. Your kitchen will start to smell absolutely wonderful.
Step 3: Add Liquids and Cranberries
Once the sausage is cooked and the veggies are soft, it is time for the next step. Add the dried cranberries and the chicken stock to the skillet. Continue to cook everything over medium heat. You just want to warm the stock through, which will only take a few minutes.
Warming the stock helps the stuffing mix absorb the liquid more evenly. This is a small step that really contributes to the final texture of the dish. It prevents dry spots and ensures every bite is moist.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Turn off the heat. Now, pour the entire bag of herbed stuffing mix into the skillet. Use a large spoon or spatula to stir everything together. Make sure all of the dry bread pieces are coated with the liquid and mixed in with the sausage and vegetables.
Once it is all combined, transfer the mixture into your prepared casserole dish. Spread it out evenly. This step is what makes it one of the easiest stuffing recipes you can find.
Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection
Cover the casserole dish with foil. Place it in your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Covering it for the initial bake time steams the stuffing, making it incredibly moist and tender throughout.
After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes uncovered. This final step is what gives the top that beautiful golden brown color and a slightly crispy texture. The result is a stunning dish ready for the table.
How To Store Leftovers
If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, storing them is easy. First, let the stuffing cool completely to room temperature. You should not put a hot dish directly into the refrigerator.
Once cooled, you can either cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil, or transfer the stuffing to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. This makes it a great option for enjoying after a big holiday meal.
When you are ready to reheat it, you have a couple of options. You can warm individual portions in the microwave. To prevent it from drying out, you might want to sprinkle it with a little bit of chicken stock or water before heating.
For larger quantities, the oven is your best bet. Place the stuffing in an oven safe dish, add a splash of chicken stock, cover with foil, and heat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. This method helps it taste almost as good as it did on day one.
You can also freeze leftover stuffing. Place it in a freezer safe airtight container or a freezer bag. It will keep well for up to three months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating using the oven method.
Tips
Want to make your stuffing even better? Here are a few tips and tricks I have learned over the years. These little adjustments can make a big difference in your final dish.
First, feel free to get creative with the add ins. Toasted pecans or walnuts can add a wonderful crunch. Sautéed mushrooms can bring a deeper, earthier flavor that pairs beautifully with the herbs. These are great additions for Christmas stuffing recipes.
If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use a mild Italian pork sausage instead of chicken sausage. Just be sure to drain off any excess grease after browning it. This will prevent the stuffing from becoming too heavy.
Do not be afraid to use your own bread. If you have some day old sourdough, challah, or a sturdy white bread, you can cube it and toast it in the oven. This gives you more control over the texture than a bagged mix. It’s a hallmark of many traditional stuffing recipes.
For an extra crispy top, you can dot the surface with a few small pieces of butter before the final uncovered bake. This will help it get even more golden and delicious. It is a little indulgence that is totally worth it.
You can also adjust the moisture level to your liking. If you prefer a wetter stuffing, feel free to add an extra quarter cup of chicken stock. If you like it a bit drier, you can hold back a little. It is all about personal preference.
Making this ahead of time is a huge time saver, especially for holiday cooking. You can assemble the entire dish a day in advance, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. Just add 10 to 15 minutes to the initial covered baking time to account for the cold start. This is a game changer for planning stuffing recipes for Thanksgiving.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A straightforward and incredibly flavorful sausage stuffing that is sure to be a hit. This is one of those stuffing recipes that proves you do not need a lot of complicated steps to create something truly special.
The combination of savory sausage, fresh herbs, and sweet cranberries makes for a perfectly balanced side dish. It is comforting, satisfying, and looks beautiful on any dinner table. I hope this becomes a new favorite in your home.
Whether you are making it for a big holiday gathering or just a cozy family dinner, this recipe delivers every time. Give it a try, and do not be surprised when everyone asks for the recipe. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Use a Different Type of Sausage?
Absolutely. While the recipe calls for mild Italian chicken sausage, you can easily substitute it. Mild or hot Italian pork sausage would be delicious. You could also use a simple breakfast sausage. If you use a sausage with more fat, just be sure to drain the excess grease.
Can I Prepare This Stuffing Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes, this is one of the best make ahead stuffing recipes. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, you may need to add about 15 extra minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Is It Possible To Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
You can definitely make a vegetarian version. Swap the chicken sausage for a plant based sausage crumble. You will also need to use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. The flavors will still be wonderful and savory.
What Kind of Bread Mix Works Best?
An herbed stuffing mix is a great choice because it adds extra flavor. However, a plain cubed stuffing mix or even a cornbread stuffing mix would also work well. Use whatever your family enjoys the most. The key is to use a sturdy, dry bread that can absorb the liquid without becoming mushy.
My Stuffing Looks a Little Dry. What Should I Do?
If your stuffing mixture looks too dry before baking, you can add a bit more chicken stock. Drizzle in a quarter cup at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Different bread mixes can have slightly different levels of absorbency, so it is fine to adjust as needed.
Savory Sausage and Herb Stuffing
This simple and flavorful sausage and herb stuffing, featuring savory Italian chicken sausage, fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme, plus a hint of sweet cranberries, is a comforting side dish that’s perfect for holidays or any family meal. It’s easy to make, moist on the inside, and crispy golden on top.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish (or 9×9 inch for thicker stuffing) with nonstick spray and set aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground Italian chicken sausage for about five minutes to render some fat and begin browning.
- Add the diced yellow onion and celery to the skillet with the sausage. Sprinkle in the minced fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about ten minutes until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are soft and tender.
- Stir in the dried cranberries and chicken stock. Continue to cook over medium heat for a few minutes, just until the stock is warmed through. This helps the stuffing mix absorb the liquid evenly.
- Turn off the heat. Pour the entire bag of herbed stuffing mix into the skillet. Use a large spoon or spatula to thoroughly stir everything together, ensuring all dry bread pieces are coated with liquid and mixed with the sausage and vegetables. Transfer the mixture into your prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and return the dish to the oven for another 10 minutes uncovered, allowing the top to become golden brown and slightly crispy. Serve hot.
Notes
Feel free to get creative with add-ins like toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch, or sautéed mushrooms for a deeper, earthier flavor.
If you prefer a richer taste, mild Italian pork sausage can be used instead of chicken, just be sure to drain any excess grease.
For a homemade touch, cube day-old sourdough, challah, or sturdy white bread and toast it in the oven before mixing.
For an extra crispy top, dot the surface with a few small pieces of butter before the final uncovered bake.
Adjust the moisture level to your preference by adding or holding back a quarter cup of chicken stock.
This dish can be assembled a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator; add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time when baking from cold.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
Fiber
Protein
Sodium
