Description
A savory and comforting Sausage & Apple Stuffing that combines mild Italian sausage, crisp Granny Smith apples, aromatic herbs, and classic stuffing mix. Perfectly baked to golden brown perfection, this dish adds a flavorful twist to traditional stuffing, ideal for holiday dinners or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Fats
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage, casing removed
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Produce
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 Granny Smith apples, cored and diced
Herbs & Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Kosher salt & black pepper to taste
Others
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 3 cups packaged stuffing mix
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Sausage: In a large sauté pan, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the Italian sausage, crumbling it with a spoon as it cooks until it begins to brown.
- Sauté Vegetables and Apples: Add the unsalted butter, diced celery, onion, diced Granny Smith apples, dried sage, and dried rosemary to the pan with the sausage. Stir to combine well and cook for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is fully cooked. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine with Liquids and Stuffing Mix: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the chicken stock and beaten egg. Then add the packaged stuffing mix, stirring thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Bake the Stuffing: Transfer the stuffing mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the stuffing is cooked through and golden brown on top.
Notes
- For added texture, consider sprinkling chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
- Use mild Italian sausage for a balanced flavor; spicy sausage can be substituted for a kick.
- The Granny Smith apples provide a tart contrast that complements the savory sausage beautifully.
- If chicken stock is not available, vegetable stock can be used as a substitute.
- Make sure to cook the sausage thoroughly before mixing with the stuffing to ensure food safety.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days and can be reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
