Apple Sausage Stuffing

Can I call it "Stuffing" instead of "Dressing" if I intend to stuff it in my face?!

Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday. Some of my most loved dishes hit the table this time of year... fried turkey, corn pudding, ALL the pies. But no menu of mine would be complete without Stuffing. I'll take an excuse to eat pillowy, savory forkfuls of bread any day!

Though Stuffing can be pretty bland and boring sitting next to some other stars on the Thanksgiving buffet. So I like to amp up the flavor so this Stuffing can stand on its own! Tart Granny Smith Apples, salty sausage, chewy cranberries, and loads of fresh herbs make this Stuffing irresistible!

What's on your Thanksgiving menu?

Apple Sausage Stuffing

Ingredients

· 6 tbsp butter, divided

· ½ lb pork sausage

· 1 large onion, diced fine

· 2 stalks celery, diced fine

· 1 large granny smith apple, peeled and diced fine

· ½ cup dried cranberries

· 2 tbsp fresh sage, minced

· 2 tbsp fresh thyme, minced

· ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

· 1 tbsp salt

· 2 tsp black pepper

· 4 cups chicken stock

· 12 cups white bread cubes

· 2 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 375F.

Melt 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage. Cook and crumble the sausage until brown. Reduce the heat to low and add the onions, celery and apple. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Mix in the cranberries, sage, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken stock. Raise the temperature to medium and bring the stock to a simmer. Then remove from the heat and set aside.

Add the bread cubes to a very large mixing bowl. Once the vegetable mixture has cooled to about room temperature, pour over the bread. Add the whisked eggs. Stir until all the bread is moistened.

Pour the stuffing mixture into a thoroughly greased 13x9 baking dish. Dot the top of the stuffing with the remaining 2 tbsp of butter.

Bake for about 30 minutes until puffed and golden brown.

Serves 8-12

Notes

Serving size depends on the number of side dishes served alongside the stuffing.

GF Friendly

Gluten Free Friendly!

I’d substitute the bread for Scharr Baguette or Ciabatta.