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

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

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

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

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 8

Author: A Gouda Life

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.

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

FAQs

How much water do you put in sausage before stuffing? ›

Add at least 1 oz. of water per pound of meat to aid in the stuffing process. This aid in mixing the meat with the seasoning and will ease the stress put on the gears of your meat mixer and sausage stuffer. Try experimenting with liquids other than water when mixing your next batch of sausage.

What type of bread is best for stuffing? ›

The best bread for stuffing is a sturdy loaf with a tight crumb. Bakery French bread, Italian bread, Challah, and Sourdough are all good choices. When you cut up a 1-pound loaf into cubes, it should fit in an even layer on a single half-size rimmed baking sheet.

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

The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

How to make stuffing Gordon Ramsay? ›

Make the stuffing, melt butter in a large frying pan and gently sauté onion and garlic for five minutes until soft. Stir in the herbs for one minute then add breadcrumbs to absorb butter. Mix in zest, pine nuts and seasoning and cook over medium heat for about seven minutes until crumbs start to brown and crisp.

What happens if you put too much water in stuffing? ›

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.

Why put eggs in stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. 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.

Is it better to toast or dry bread for stuffing? ›

Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing. Either dry out your bread starting a few days before you plan to make the stuffing by letting it sit out or, if you don't have the extra time, cut the bread into cubes, and then toast over a low heat in the oven until dry.

Can bread be too dry for stuffing? ›

Too dry, and your stuffing will be crumbly and bland. While too much liquid will leave you with a soggy, unappetizing dish. "If you're using stale bread and adding liquid, there will be nowhere for the liquid to go," says Seixas. "It's like when you're trying to cram more people into a fully booked flight.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

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.

Does stove top stuffing taste good? ›

The verdict: It's often said that we eat with our eyes first, and Stove Top's Traditional Sage stuffing was far and away the most visually appealing. Tasters appreciated that there was a a decent crunch in each bite, but we were most impressed by its seasoning.

How long does homemade uncooked stuffing last in fridge? ›

Do not refrigerate uncooked stuffing. 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.

What's the difference between stuffing and filling? ›

Although most people in America debate on whether the dish should be called stuffing or dressing the people of Pennsylvania call it filling. Essentially filling is the same as stuffing or dressing. The name suggests that it will fill something like stuffing does.

Can I use breadcrumbs instead of stuffing mix? ›

If you're using a stuffing mix, you substitute the breadcrumbs when you're mixing all of the ingredients together. Next, top it with more ketchup and place it in the oven heated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour.

How much water do you need to cook sausage? ›

Fill skillet with enough water to reach a quarter of the way up sides of sausages. Simmer, covered, until sausages are cooked through and water evaporates, 10 to 15 minutes. (If sausages have cooked through but water has not evaporated, uncover, and continue to cook until water evaporates.)

How much water do you put in stuffing mix? ›

Empty the sachet into a bowl, adding 425ml of boiling water, mixing well. Add a large knob of butter if desired. 3. Leave to stand for 5 minutes then place the stuffing into either an ovenproof dish or alternatively form into stuffing balls on a greased baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until piping hot.

How much water does it take to make a sausage? ›

  1. A pound of chicken (469 gallons)
  2. A hamburger (634 gallons)
  3. A pound of pork (756 gallons)
  4. A pound of sausage (1,382 gallons)
  5. A pound of beef (1,857 gallons)
Feb 28, 2011

How much water do you add when making summer sausage? ›

Add entire seasoning and cure packets to 2-3 cups of water. Mix thoroughly into meat. After cooking refrigerate or freeze. *USDA recommends all ground meats be cooked to internal temperature of 160° (165° for poultry).

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