This hearty sausage stuffing is simple to make and full of comforting holiday flavor. Using store-bought stuffing cubes keeps preparation quick and reliable, so you don’t need to dry your own bread. The combination of Italian sausage, seasonal vegetables, apples and fresh herbs yields a savory, slightly sweet side dish that complements turkey, ham or roasted vegetables.
Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this Italian-style sausage stuffing will quickly become a holiday favorite. It combines store-bought bread cubes with sautéed vegetables, sweet potato and Yukon gold potatoes, crisp apples, and a blend of thyme, rosemary and sage. Partially cooking the sausage and vegetables on the stovetop builds flavor and ensures the final casserole bakes to a golden, cohesive texture. Do not skip the step of sautéing the onions and potatoes — it makes a big difference.
This version is sliceable, a little sweet from the apples, and richly savory from the sausage and beef broth. It makes a wonderful alternative to cornbread-style stuffing while remaining easy to prepare ahead and reheat.
Featured Comment
“So so so good. Easy to make and the perfect combo of ingredients. Love a good stuffing!” – Lauren
What You Need for Sausage Stuffing
This recipe uses common pantry ingredients and a few fresh items for bright flavor. The components below form the backbone of a classic sausage stuffing:
- Meat: Mild ground Italian sausage provides savory, seasoned flavor.
- Vegetables and Fruit: Sweet potato, Yukon gold potatoes, yellow onion, and Honeycrisp apples add texture, sweetness and depth.
- Herbs and Seasonings: Fresh thyme, rosemary and sage, plus garlic powder, salt, pepper, beef broth and a touch of Worcestershire sauce for moisture and umami.
- Bread: Store-bought bread cubes keep this recipe convenient and consistent; Pepperidge Farm-style stuffing cubes are used here.
Sausage Stuffing Substitutions
Here are a few simple swaps to adjust flavor or accommodate what you have on hand:
- Choose spicy Italian sausage to add heat.
- Replace the apples with chopped celery for a more traditional flavor and a bit less sweetness.
- If you need a smaller portion, make half the recipe and bake it in an 8×8-inch pan.
More of our Favorite…
Festive Friendsgiving Ideas
Pair this sausage stuffing with other crowd-pleasing sides to build a memorable holiday table.
FAQ
Yes. Sautéing the potatoes and onions before baking develops flavor and softens them so the finished stuffing has the right texture. Adding raw vegetables straight into the casserole will result in undercooked pieces and a less cohesive texture.
Absolutely. You can prepare the stuffing up to three days ahead. Cool it completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat as directed below before serving.
Storage
Leftover sausage stuffing stores well. Keep any unused portion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or follow the oven reheating method for best texture.
Reheating Sausage Stuffing
To maintain moisture and texture when reheating, add 2–3 tablespoons of broth to a clean casserole dish and spread the stuffing inside. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 325ºF until heated through, about 10–15 minutes for a small portion. Larger quantities will require more time. This method helps keep the stuffing moist without making it soggy.
Freezing Sausage Stuffing
The stuffing freezes well for up to three months. Let it cool completely, place it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze. Thaw thoroughly in the refrigerator before reheating following the instructions above.
Serving Suggestions
This herb-forward sausage stuffing is an ideal side for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving. Serve it alongside roasted or smoked turkey and a selection of vegetable sides like roasted root vegetables or braised Brussels sprouts. It also pairs nicely with creamy mashed potatoes or a rich squash mac and cheese for a balanced holiday plate.
Sausage Stuffing
Featuring store-bought bread cubes, this stuffing is hearty, easy to prepare, and perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients (serves about 10)
- 1 lb ground mild Italian sausage
- 3½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 large sweet potato, cut into ½-inch cubes (skin on)
- 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes (skin on)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 small Honeycrisp apples, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced thyme
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced rosemary
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced sage
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
- 12 oz store-bought stuffing cubes
- 3½ cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into thin pads
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, partially brown the Italian sausage until only a little pink remains, about 3–4 minutes. Transfer the sausage to the prepared casserole dish.
- Using the same skillet, heat 1½ tablespoons of olive oil. Add the sweet potato and Yukon gold potatoes with ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook 3–5 minutes just to partially soften them, then transfer to the casserole dish.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet and caramelize the onion over low–medium heat until translucent and browned, about 7–10 minutes. Add the onions to the casserole dish.
- Add the minced apples, fresh herbs, remaining garlic powder and salt, ground pepper, and bread cubes to the dish. Gently mix to combine.
- Whisk together the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce in a measuring cup, then pour over the stuffing mixture. Stir gently to distribute the liquid evenly.
- Dot the top with thin pads of butter. Bake uncovered until the top is golden brown and the mixture is firm to the touch, about 35–45 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, tent foil over the dish for the last part of baking.
Tips & Notes
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooled stuffing in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
- Reheating: For best results, add 2–3 tablespoons broth to a clean casserole dish, transfer the stuffing, cover with foil, and bake at 325ºF until heated through, about 10–15 minutes for a small portion.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 350 kcal, Carbohydrates: 33 g, Protein: 13 g, Fat: 18 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 7 g. Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline.
More of our Favorite…
Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
Explore other healthy holiday sides to round out your menu and create a balanced, flavorful table.
