Sage, Sausage, and Apple Harvest Dressing
Delight your family and friends this holiday season with our Sage, Sausage, and Apple Harvest Dressing. This savory stuffing recipe combines the rich flavors of fresh sage sausage, sweet golden delicious apples, and toasted walnuts, creating a perfect side dish that complements any festive meal. Made with wholesome ingredients and a blend of herbs, this dressing is not just a recipe—it's an experience of cozy warmth and deliciousness. Serve it alongside your favorite roasted turkey, chicken, or fall vegetables, and watch everyone come back for seconds!
10
Servings
350
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Stuffing cubes
16 ounces (packed into a bowl)
Unsalted butter
6 tablespoons (plus more for greasing the casserole dish and topping)
Sausage (Fresh sage)
1 lb (casing removed)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Golden Delicious apples
2 (peeled and chopped)
Celery rib
1-2 (with leaves, chopped)
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon
Chicken broth
3 cups (homemade or low-sodium canned)
Flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
Walnut pieces
1/2 cup (toasted)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, place the stuffing cubes and set aside.
3
Generously butter a 3-quart casserole dish and set aside.
4
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
5
Add the sage sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until it’s nearly cooked through but still slightly pink, about 5 minutes.
6
Transfer the partially cooked sausage and its drippings into the bowl with the stuffing cubes.
7
In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add the chopped onion, apples, celery, and kosher salt. Sauté until the vegetables are soft, roughly 5 minutes.
8
Pour the heated vegetable mixture over the stuffing cubes. Mix well to combine, ensuring the stuffing is evenly moistened.
9
Stir in the toasted walnuts and the beaten eggs until everything is well incorporated.
10
Loosely pack the dressing mixture into the prepared casserole dish, smoothing the top.
11
Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes, until the top begins to form a crust.
12
For added richness, drizzle about 2 tablespoons of melted butter or turkey pan drippings over the top.
13
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the dressing’s top is crispy and golden brown.
14
Once done, let it sit for a few minutes before serving warm.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
30g
Carbs
8g
Protein
2g
Fiber
300mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sage, Sausage, and Apple Harvest Dressing?
It is a savory holiday side dish that combines fresh sage sausage, sweet golden delicious apples, and toasted walnuts with traditional stuffing cubes for a cozy, festive flavor.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 10 servings.
What type of sausage should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of fresh sage sausage with the casing removed.
Which apples are best for this stuffing?
Golden Delicious apples are recommended because they offer a sweet flavor and hold their shape well during baking.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (160°C).
How long does the dressing need to bake?
The dressing bakes for an initial 40 minutes, plus an additional 20 minutes after adding the final topping, for a total of 60 minutes.
What size casserole dish do I need?
You should use a 3-quart casserole dish that has been generously buttered.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
What are the primary fats used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter and includes the natural drippings from the sage sausage.
Can I use turkey pan drippings?
Yes, for added richness, you can drizzle about 2 tablespoons of turkey pan drippings over the top before the final 20 minutes of baking.
Is the sausage fully cooked before being added to the cubes?
The sausage should be partially cooked until nearly done but still slightly pink, which takes about 5 minutes.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe uses 3 cups of chicken broth, which can be either homemade or low-sodium canned broth.
What kind of nuts are included?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of toasted walnut pieces.
Why are eggs used in the dressing?
Two beaten eggs are added to help bind the dressing ingredients together.
How do I prepare the celery?
The recipe calls for 1 to 2 chopped celery ribs, including the leaves.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Yes, the instructions recommend that the Golden Delicious apples be peeled and chopped.
Is this recipe suitable for Thanksgiving?
Yes, it is categorized as a traditional stuffing and a Thanksgiving holiday recipe.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides about 8g of protein.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does the recipe include fresh herbs?
Yes, it uses 1/4 cup of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 20g of fat per serving.
What is the sodium content?
The dressing contains approximately 300mg of sodium per serving.
Should the dressing be baked covered or uncovered?
The dressing should be baked uncovered to allow a crispy crust to form on the top.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter, but if you use salted, you may want to reduce the additional kosher salt.
How do I know when the dressing is finished baking?
The dressing is done when the top is crispy and golden brown.
How much fiber is in each serving?
There are 2g of fiber per serving.
Should I let the dressing rest after baking?
Yes, let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
What kind of bread cubes are used?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of standard stuffing cubes.
What vegetables are sautéed for this dish?
The recipe involves sautéing onions, apples, and celery in butter.
How much salt is added to the mixture?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.