Apple Sausage Cornbread Stuffing
A hearty stuffing that combines savory breakfast sausage with sweet chopped apples, cornbread, and torn bread pieces. The sage-seasoned sausage provides rich flavor while apples add natural sweetness and texture. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, or any fall gathering where you want a stuffing that balances traditional comfort with a touch of fruity brightness. The combination of cornbread and regular bread creates interesting texture contrasts.
Ingredients
- 16 ounce ground sage breakfast sausage, rollground turkey sausage1:1healthier
Use same seasonings
- ½ cup butter, plus more for buttering pan
- 3 medium apples, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 ribs celery, with leaves, chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste(optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth stock
- 16 ounces premade cornbread
- 4 cups loaf bread, torn (brioche, french, italian)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
- 2
Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat
- 3
Add sausage and cook until browned and crumbled
- 4
Add onion, celery and apple to sausage and cook until sausage is cooked through and vegetables are tender
- 5
Season with salt and pepper to taste
- 6
Pour in chicken stock and add remaining butter, bring to a simmer
- 7
Remove from heat and stir in bread and cornbread
- 8
Beat eggs in small bowl then add to stuffing mixture, stirring gently to blend
- 9
Place stuffing in greased 9x13 dish
- 10
Bake for 60 minutes until golden brown
Tips
Use day-old bread for better texture as it absorbs liquid without becoming mushy
If using cast iron skillet, you can bake directly in the skillet instead of transferring
Let stuffing rest 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days in covered container
Can assemble 1 day ahead, cover and refrigerate, add 15 minutes to baking time
Serve hot as side dish with roasted meats or holiday meals
Common Mistakes
Don't oversoak bread to avoid mushy texture
Cook sausage completely to avoid food safety issues
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
Use same seasonings
FAQ
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, substitute vegetarian sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a completely vegetarian version.
Can I freeze leftover stuffing?
Yes, freeze up to 3 months in airtight container. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat in 350°F oven until heated through.
What if my stuffing seems too dry?
Add more warm chicken broth gradually, about 1/4 cup at a time, until desired moisture level is reached before baking.