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

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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)

Do we share a love of easy, tasty recipes? LIKE ME on FACEBOOK, FOLLOW along on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST and SUBSCRIBE ⇓ for all the latest.

If you tried thisBread Sausage Recipe recipe or any other on the blog then I hope you’ll leave a comment and some stars!

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

What kind of bread do you use for stuffing? ›

Breads such as sour dough, French bread or Italian loaves are for the best bread for stuffing. Their soft-but-sturdy interiors are the perfect texture for stuffing. The pieces retain their shape without crumbling.

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.

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

The Best Bread for Stuffing Is Oven-Dried | Epicurious.

Should you let bread dry out for stuffing? ›

Why Do You Need to Dry Out Bread for Stuffing? Slightly stale bread absorbs meat juices and other ingredients better than moist, fresh bread.

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.

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Stuffing is not strictly a healthy food, because it is typically high in calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates. 1 But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it, All foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation.

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Classic stuffing made with bread cubes, seasonings, and held together with chicken stock and eggs. A holiday staple!

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.

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.

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.

Why put eggs in stuffing? ›

Eggs add richness to the stuffing, and makes it cohere better. I'd use two eggs per pound of bread. I'm a no egg person - and I still stuff the bird (but also do a batch out of the bird).

How do you know when stuffing is done? ›

Use a Food Thermometer

For safety and doneness, check the internal temperature of the turkey and stuffing with a food thermometer. If the temperature of the turkey and the center of the stuffing have not reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F, further cooking will be required.

How do you keep stuffing moist when baking? ›

You want your stuffing moist but not soggy and certainly not dry. The bread in the stuffing absorbs moisture, but if it's dry (as it should be, see above), it takes some time for the liquid to settle in. I suggest adding a little at a time, say 1 cup of broth for every 4 cups of dry mix.

What is the flat bread with pocket that is perfect for stuffing called? ›

Pita bread, also known as Arabic bread, Syrian bread, or pocket bread, is a round flatbread that is typically made from wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt. Its unique feature is the pocket that forms when baked, making it perfect for stuffing with all sorts of fillings.

What flat bread has a pocket that is perfect for stuffing? ›

Pita, also Pitta, breads, also called Arabic bread, balady, shamy, Syrian bread, and pocket bread, are circular, leavened double-layered flat breads that originated in the Middle East. It is prepared with flour, water, baker's yeast, and salt.

What types of flatbread is used in a sandwich that can be rolled around the stuffing to make a pinwheel shaped ›

Answer. » Lavash is small and rectangular, when softened in water, can be rolled around a stuffing to make a pinwheel shaped sandwich.

Is corn bread the same as regular stuffing? ›

So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish. Additionally, dressing, especially in the American South, is often made with cornbread instead of pieces of a baguette or plain ol' white bread.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 6471

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.