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Crispy Sausage Apple Herb Stuffing

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A savory and sweet stuffing featuring browned Italian sausage, caramelized apples, and fresh herbs, perfect for cozy gatherings and holiday meals. This recipe delivers crispy edges and a comforting texture that makes it a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (sweet or mild preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried sage)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 10 cups cubed day-old crusty bread (about 1 pound) – sourdough or French bread recommended
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add chopped onion and celery to the skillet with the sausage fat. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add diced apples, chopped sage, thyme, and parsley to the skillet. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until apples start to soften but still hold their shape.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes. Pour the sausage-apple-herb mixture over the bread, then add the cooked sausage back in. Gently toss to mix evenly.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, beaten eggs, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour this over the bread mixture, stirring gently to moisten the bread without making it soggy.
  7. Transfer the mixture evenly to the prepared baking dish. Press down lightly to create texture. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  8. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy. The edges should be crunchy and the center set but moist.
  9. Let the stuffing rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and texture to firm up.

Notes

Use day-old bread to prevent sogginess. Add broth gradually to achieve a moist but not soggy texture. Fresh herbs provide better flavor than dried. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning. Can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. Leftovers reheat best in the oven to restore crispiness. For vegetarian version, substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread and broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing, sausage stuffing, apple stuffing, herb stuffing, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving, cozy dinner, savory and sweet, crispy stuffing

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/crispy-sausage-apple-herb-stuffing-recipe-easy-homemade-for-cozy-gatherings/