Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (2024)

5 from 4 votes

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November 18, 2019

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Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe made with pork sausage, onions, and celery. Bread cubes soaked in broth and seasonings then baked to perfection! A perfect and fail-proof make-ahead dish for the holidays.

Every Thanksgiving needs an easy Stuffing Recipe to accompany the turkey and other classic dishes like mashed potatoes, maple glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole. Luckily, I have the perfect recipe for you! This stuffing recipe can be prepared in 15 minutes, made in a casserole dish and be done baking in about an hour. Bake alongside other Thanksgiving side dishes to make your Holiday a fast and efficient one.

Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (1)

Dressing vs. Stuffing

Some people call this side dish dressing while others call it stuffing. The reasoning why is because a stuffing recipe is usually stuffed inside the raw turkey and cooked along with it. While dressing is the version of stuffing that is baked outside of a turkey and in a casserole dish.

So technically this is a dressing recipe, but for simplicity and for consistency with my other stuffing recipes, I’ll call this dish, stuffing, throughout the post.

For more recipes made in a casserole dish and are perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas (very specific, I know) try these recipes:Buttery Corn Casserole and Easy Sweet Potato Casserole.

Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (2)

Stuffing Recipe

So to make this amazingly easy stuffing recipe start by taking an inventory of your fridge and pantry. If you don’t have one of these ingredients listed below, you need to go shopping!

  • Pork Sausage –if you rather have your stuffing recipe without protein you can leave this bit out. Or replace with your choice of sausage.
  • Yellow Onion –these become slightly sweet when cooked.
  • Celery –beautiful color and taste!
  • Poultry Seasoning –this really makes a difference with taste. Poultry seasoning also helps the stuffing to complement other savory dishes on a Thanksgiving table.
  • Salt and Pepper –season to taste.
  • Day Old Ciabatta –you can also use day old french bread. The important part is to let the bread dry a bit.
  • Chicken Broth –or turkey broth. The bread soaks up all the flavor! Try making your own bone broth to take this dish over the top with delicious flavor!
  • Eggs –these are used as a binder.
  • Butter –topped with dabs of butter that melt while baking to add flavor and to make a perfectly golden top.

Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (3)

How to Make Stuffing

  1. In a large skillet, cook sausage, onions, and celery, breaking apart the sausage as it browns. Once the sausage is fully cooked and veggies are tender, remove from heat.
  2. In a large bowl, add bread cubes. Pour over chicken broth and eggs and toss to coat well. If the bread is soaking up the chicken broth quickly and seems dry, add in some extra broth.
  3. Stir bread cubes with cooked sausage, veggies, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Pour into well-buttered casserole dish. Dot the top with butter and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Serve this stuffing recipe warm.

**If you don’t want the edges or the top to get crispy, cover with foil while baking.

Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (4)

Make-Ahead

Although you can make this Thanksgiving stuffing recipe ahead of time it is best fresh out of the oven! I totally get the need to make some dishes the day before or to eat as leftovers.

So to make ahead of time, follow the directions accordingly. Then seal the casserole dish with its lid or by tightly wrapping the top with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat, add a little bit of broth on top (to keep from drying out) then bake for 20 minutes or until heated through in an oven at 350 degrees.

Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (5)

Freezing This Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Hallelujah! This Stuffing Recipe can be frozen! I love making Thanksgiving day more about family and less about the time spent in the kitchen.

To Freeze.Follow the directions and bake your stuffing. Let cool completely then cover your casserole dish (lid or plastic wrap). Pop that baby in the freezer and it should stay good for about a month.

To Reheat.Thaw in your refrigerator overnight. Once thawed add a little bit of broth on top of your stuffing (to keep from drying out). Then bake for 20 minutes or until heated through in an oven at 350 degrees.

More Stuffing Recipes to Try!

  • Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe with Bacon
  • Cornbread Sausage Stuffing
  • Chicken and Stuffing Casserole with Sour Cream
  • Easy Cornbread Stuffing Recipe for Thanksgiving

Save this stuffing recipe by printing it, pinning it or bookmarking it! You’re gonna want it on your Thanksgiving table trust me. Happy Holidays!

Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (7)

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5 from 4 votes

Sausage Stuffing Recipe

ThanksgivingSausage Stuffing Recipemade with pork sausage, onions, and celery. Bread cubes soaked in broth and seasonings then baked to perfection!

servings 8 servings

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 12 oz pork sausage
  • 1 yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 ribs celery chopped
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 12 cups ciabatta bread day-old, cubed in 1-inch pieces (or french bread)
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth plus more if needed (or turkey broth)
  • 3 large eggs beaten
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, cook sausage, onions, and celery, breaking apart the sausage as it browns. Once the sausage is fully cooked and veggies are tender, remove from heat.

  • In a large bowl, add bread cubes. Pour over chicken broth and eggs and toss to coat well. If the bread is soaking up the chicken broth quickly and seems dry, add in some extra broth.

  • Stir bread cubes with cooked sausage, veggies, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Pour into well-buttered casserole dish. Dot the top with butter and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you don't want the edges or the top to get crispy, cover with foil while baking. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 705mg | Potassium: 229mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 308IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy stuffing recipe, stuffing, stuffing recipe, thanksgiving stuffing

Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

How wet should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Is it better to make stuffing with fresh or stale bread? ›

Any attempts to make stuffing with soft, fresh baked bread will result in a bread soup with a soggy texture. Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing.

Is chicken broth or stock better for stuffing? ›

Traditionally, stuffing is moistened with turkey stock or chicken stock, but you can use vegetable broth if you're aiming for vegan or vegetarian stuffing. Store-bought low-sodium chicken broth will absolutely do, but if you want to know how to make stuffing really shine, it's all about using homemade stock.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

Eggs add richness to the stuffing, and makes it cohere better. I'd use two eggs per pound of bread.

What is traditional turkey stuffing made of? ›

The BEST traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is easy to make dried bread cubes, sausage, diced vegetables, and chicken broth. It's a great side dish to make ahead of time and it definitely tastes best homemade! Pair this easy homemade stuffing with our popular turkey recipe, homemade rolls, and Thanksgiving pie.

Is it safe to make stuffing ahead of time? ›

Absolutely. Most Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made at least partially in advance since: A) They're easily assembled a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving Day; and B) They're often baked using a two-step process (once covered with foil to cook through, then uncovered to achieve a crispy top).

Do you cook stuffing before putting it in the turkey? ›

Fully cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood ingredients before adding to stuffing. Combine the ingredients and place them in your bird immediately before cooking. Don't stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. In addition to the turkey, the stuffing's center needs to reach 165 F.

Why does my stuffing come out mushy? ›

You'll need day-old loaves to get stale so that the stuffing doesn't get too mushy. Don't cube that bread! Ragged, imperfect pieces of bread have more surface area; it's those nooks and crannies that give you good texture. Speaking of texture, that's what stuffing is all about--you want a mix of crispy and soft pieces.

Can you leave stuffing uncooked overnight? ›

USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing. Why? Remember, stuffing can harbor bacteria, and though bacteria grow slower in the refrigerator they can cause problems because stuffing is a good medium for bacteria growth, therefore a higher risk food in terms of cooking safely.

Can I leave bread out overnight for stuffing? ›

The longstanding tip to use old, stale bread for the perfect stuffing is actually a myth. Letting bread go stale doesn't actually dry it out. After sitting out on your counter, bread goes through the process of retrogradation. The starch molecules crystallize and make your bread appear dry and hard.

How many days is homemade stuffing good for? ›

Dressing/stuffing: Like turkey, if stored properly, stuffing or dressing will be safe to eat for three to four days after cooking. It will last for about a month if stored properly in the freezer.

How long can stuffing sit out before baking? ›

If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.

Is pepperidge farm stuffing mix good? ›

Out of both the supermarket and online order categories, Pepperidge Farm's Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing blew all the other options out of the water. The texture was great, not too soggy or dry, and it had a rich, savory flavor almost reminiscent of sausage.

Does pepperidge farm stuffing go bad? ›

Although the stuffing mix can generally be safe to consume for a period beyond the expiration date, the quality may start to decline. Once opened, the window for consuming stuffing mix shrinks to a mere two to three months for optimal taste and freshness.

Who makes great value stuffing mix? ›

Great Value is one of Walnart's Private labels, meaning this is a brand that can only be sold at Walmart.

What company makes stove top stuffing? ›

Kraft Heinz

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