Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (2024)

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Sausage and Herb Stuffing – easy, classic recipe from scratch. The best stuffing recipe cooked outside the turkey and the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (1)

The holidays are here and homemade stuffing is where it’s at. This classic side dish always takes center stage at the Thanksgiving table.

If you usually punt to boxed stuffing, watch the VIDEO – you may be surprised how easy it is to make stuffing from scratach like mom or grandma’s.

Golden cubed bread flavored with sausage, fresh herbs and vegetables – it’s the best stuffing recipe you’ll find.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (2)

what’s in SAUSAGE AND HERB STUFFING?

  • good quality bread (white or french) for bread cubes
  • butter
  • onion
  • celery
  • fresh parsley, sage and thyme
  • salt and black pepper
  • turkey stock
  • bulk sausage

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (3)

how to make bread sausage stuffing:

This is an easy sausage stuffing recipe cooked outside the turkey. Let’s do it!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then butter a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with 1 tablespoon of softened butter and set it aside.

Cut the bread into about 1” cubes then transfer the bread cubes to a rimmed baking sheet in a (mostly) single layer.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (4)

Bake the cubes 30 minutes or until they’re golden and crisp. Let the dry bread cubes cool completely then transfer them to a large bowl.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat then add the onion and celery. Season lightly with salt and pepper and sauté 5-7 minutes or until the onions have softened.

Blend in the parsley, sage and thyme then pour the butter and vegetables over the bread cube mixture letting it cool a few minutes to room temp.

Once the stuffing is cool enough to handle with your hands, break up the (raw) sausage into the bowl.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (5)

Blend in the parsley, sage and thyme then pour the butter and vegetables over the bread cube mixture letting it cool a few minutes to room temp.

Once the stuffing is cool enough to handle with your hands, break up the (raw) sausage into the bowl.

Season lightly with salt then combine using your hands (works better than a spoon).

Slowly add the stock, combining until the cubes are evenly moistened (you don’t want a pool of stock in the bottom of the bowl).

Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish then cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

After 40 minutes uncover and continue baking 15 minutes for a lightly crispy top (the stuffing will stay moist inside).

Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (6)

VARIATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS AND FAQ:

  • It’s sometimes hard to find basic ingredients these days. If you can’t find turkey stock, chicken stock or chicken broth can be used.
  • Jimmy Dean regular pork breakfast sausage is the sausage I always use. It’s a delicious, savory mild sausage that adds great flavor to the stuffing.
  • I recommend fresh herbs instead of dry.
  • I’ve never tried using turkey sausage or chicken sausage, but if that’s what you prefer, I’d love your feedback!

WHAT KIND OF BREAD IS BEST FOR STUFFING?

  • I use a good quality white or French loaf. I’ve even blended white and whole grain with great results.
  • Sourdough bread is another delicious choice.
  • Stale bread (not moldy) or dried out bread will crisp easier and in less time when you cube and bake it (fresh bread takes longer to crisp).

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS:

Leftover stuffing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

MORE FAVORITE THANKSGIVING STUFFING RECIPES:

Turkey Gravy – easy recipe with OR without drippings.

Herb-Garlic Air Fryer Turkey Breast – cooks in just 1 hour.

Green Bean Casserole (NO canned soup!) – small batch recipe can easily be doubled.

Brown Butter Honey Glazed Carrots – one of the most popular recipes on the blog – delicious sweet-savory flavor.

Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes – ultra creamy mashed potatoes with gouda cheese.

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole – roasted cauliflower in a creamy 3-cheese sauce.

Slow Cooker Applesauce – easy, 4-ingredient crockpot recipe.

Whether you call it stuffing or sausage dressing, this is truly the best sausage stuffing recipe and always a hit at any holiday dinner.

Enjoy!

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (14)

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Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (15)

Sausage Herb Stuffing

A Gouda Life

Sausage Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe from scratch baked outside the turkey for the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish.

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories

Equipment

  • large baking sheet

  • large bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 pound good quality bread white or French cut into 1” cubes (approx. 10 cups)
  • 1 stick butter + 1 tablespoon for baking dish
  • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 1/3 cup Italian parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
  • salt and pepper
  • 8 ounces bulk breakfast sausage
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups turkey or chicken stock

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then butter a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with 1 tablespoon of softened butter and set it aside.

  • Cut bread into about 1” cubes then transfer to a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.

  • Bake the cubes 30 minutes or until they’re golden and crisp. Let the dry bread cubes cool completely then transfer them to a large bowl.

  • While the cubes are toasting, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat then add the onion and celery. Season lightly with salt and pepper and sauté 5-7 minutes or until the onions have softened.

  • Blend in the parsley, sage and thyme then pour the butter and vegetables over the bread cube mixture letting it cool a few minutes to room temp.

  • Once the stuffing is cool enough to handle with your hands, break up the (raw) sausage into the bowl.

  • Blend in the parsley, sage and thyme then pour the butter and vegetables over the bread cube mixture letting it cool a few minutes to room temp.

  • Once the stuffing is cool enough to handle with your hands, break up the (raw) sausage into the bowl.

  • Season lightly with salt then blend using your hands (I find this works better than a spoon).Slowly add the stock, combining until the cubes are evenly moistened (you don’t want excess stock in the bottom of the bowl).

  • Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish then cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

  • After 40 minutes uncover and continue baking 15 minutes for a lightly crispy top (the stuffing will stay moist inside).

  • Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Keyword thanksgiving stuffing, sausage herb stuffing, classic stuffing, traditional bread sausage stuffing, easy stuffing recipe, best stuffing recipe, best thanksgiving side

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (2024)

FAQs

Can you put an egg in stuffing? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency. Seasonings: This turkey dressing recipe is seasoned with salt, pepper, rubbed sage, and garlic powder.

Is it OK to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

No matter where you fall, getting a head start on what can be prepared before the big day is essential. One question that always crops up: Can you make stuffing ahead of time? The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

What temperature should stuffing be cooked at? ›

How do you safely cook stuffing? The stuffed meat, poultry, or stuffing in a casserole should be placed immediately after preparation in an oven set no lower than 325 °F. A food thermometer should be used to ensure that the stuffing reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

Can you prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate? ›

If you don't plan on stuffing the bird, but preparing the dressing as a side dish, you can prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time as long as you freeze the stuffing immediately after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing.

What makes stuffing 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.

Why do people put eggs in their dressing? ›

Should you add egg to stuffing or dressing? It's a matter of preference, but adding a beaten egg to your stuffing mixture acts as a binder and keeps the bread moist. Moisture is what holds all the ingredients together, rather than turning it into something resembling croutons and roasted vegetables.

Can you use week old bread for stuffing? ›

In fact, using stale bread and fresh bread will both leave you with equal amounts of mush. 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.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

Because stuffing is an excellent medium for bacterial growth, it's important to handle it safely and cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer. Here are some common ques- tions consumers ask. Stuffing should not be prepared ahead.

How long does homemade uncooked stuffing last in fridge? ›

Stuffing may be refrigerated for up to three or four days, or frozen for longer storage. The same timing applies for stuffing that is cooked separately, too. Be sure to reheat any leftover stuffing and use a food thermometer to make sure it reaches 165°F once again before eating it.

How do you know when stuffing is done? ›

Since it's cooked inside the turkey, you know that it's done when the internal temperature of the stuffing is 165° F. Anything less and you risk salmonella from turkey juices that have seeped into the stuffing during the cook. You need a thermometer.

How do you keep stuffing moist when baking? ›

What makes this stuffing so moist is the fact that it's cooked with both broth and butter. I think that helps to keep things moist and not dried out, without leaving you with soggy stuffing as well.

What if the turkey is done but the stuffing is not? ›

Like the turkey, stuffing needs to reach the 165 degree mark. If the bird is done before the stuffing, remove stuffing from the cavities and continue to cook in a baking dish. Find the perfect stuffing recipe to complete your Thanksgiving feast: Top Thanksgiving Stuffings and Dressings.

Can stuffing be made the day before and reheated? ›

Can you prepare stuffing ahead of time and reheat? YES! This stuffing is baked to golden perfection the day before the big meal. You store it in the fridge overnight and then simply warm it in the oven before dinner.

Can cooked stuffing be left out overnight? ›

If turkey, stuffing, or gravy is left out at room temperature (40 to 140°F) for over 2 hours it may no longer be safe to eat. Bacteria prospers at this temperature, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.

Can you freeze uncooked homemade stuffing? ›

If you want to prepare your stuffing in advance of Thanksgiving, freezing it uncooked will ensure it stays nice and moist. Simply follow the steps of your stuffing recipe, but before baking it, wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil to make it air tight.

What can I use instead of egg to bind stuffing? ›

Some common egg substitutes include:
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

What is a good egg substitute for dressing? ›

Greek Yogurt

Not only does Greek yogurt make an ideal egg replacement, but it also makes for a lighter dressing with a big boost of protein. The tartness of the yogurt will also bring some extra flavor to the dressing.

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