Savory Cranberry-Apple Sausage Stuffing
This delightful Savory Cranberry-Apple Sausage Stuffing is a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, making it an essential addition to your holiday feast. Inspired by a recipe from Woman's World, this dish features tender bread cubes sautéed with flavorful sage sausage, crisp apples, and the tartness of dried cranberries. Each bite brings a burst of texture and taste, guaranteed to impress even the choosiest eaters at your table. Whether served as a holiday side or as a comforting meal on its own, this stuffing is sure to become a cherished family favorite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Seasoned stuffing mix
16 ounces (Cubed)
Butter
6 tablespoons (Separated)
Sage sausage
1 pound (Crumble)
Apples
4 cups (Cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Chicken broth
3 cups (None)
Fresh parsley
1/4 cup (Chopped or 4 teaspoons dried)
Celery
3/4 cup (Chopped)
Onion
1 cup (Chopped)
Eggs
2 (Beaten)
Dried cranberries
0.5 (8-ounce package) (None)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and generously butter a 3-quart baking dish to prevent sticking.
2
In a large bowl, place the seasoned stuffing mix and set aside.
3
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt. Crumble the sage sausage into the skillet and cook until browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
4
Once the sausage is cooked, transfer it along with the drippings into the bowl with the stuffing mix.
5
In the same skillet, melt another 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped apples, onion, celery, and kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
6
Stir in the chicken broth and chopped parsley, bringing the mixture to a boil. Then, carefully pour this flavorful mixture over the seasoned stuffing, stirring until all the bread cubes are moistened.
7
Gently fold in the dried cranberries and beaten eggs until well combined.
8
Spoon the stuffing mixture into your prepared baking dish and cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for about 30 minutes.
9
After 30 minutes, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Remove the foil from the baking dish, and drizzle the melted butter over the stuffing. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is crisp and golden brown.
10
Once finished, let the stuffing cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this delicious stuffing as part of your holiday celebrations!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Cranberry-Apple Sausage Stuffing?
It is a holiday side dish that combines seasoned stuffing mix with sage sausage, crisp apples, and tart dried cranberries for a blend of sweet and savory flavors.
What type of sausage is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of crumbled sage sausage.
Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 1/4 cup of fresh parsley with 4 teaspoons of dried parsley.
How many apples are needed for the stuffing?
You will need 4 cups of apples, cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
What size baking dish should be used?
A 3-quart baking dish is required for this recipe.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
How long does the stuffing need to bake?
The stuffing bakes for 30 minutes covered with foil, and then an additional 10 minutes uncovered.
Is this stuffing suitable for Thanksgiving?
Yes, it is tagged as a Thanksgiving side dish and is considered an essential addition to holiday feasts.
How do I prevent the stuffing from sticking to the pan?
Generously butter the 3-quart baking dish before adding the stuffing mixture.
Do I need to brown the sausage before adding it to the mix?
Yes, crumble the sage sausage into a skillet and cook until browned and no longer pink.
What vegetables are used in this stuffing?
The recipe includes 1 cup of chopped onion and 3/4 cup of chopped celery.
Why are eggs included in the recipe?
Two beaten eggs are folded into the mixture to help bind the stuffing ingredients together.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe uses 3 cups of chicken broth to moisten the bread cubes.
How do I achieve a crisp, golden brown top?
Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking and drizzle the top with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
When should I add the dried cranberries?
Gently fold in the dried cranberries along with the beaten eggs after the bread cubes have been moistened by the broth.
What type of stuffing mix is used?
The recipe uses 16 ounces of cubed seasoned stuffing mix.
How much butter is needed in total?
A total of 6 tablespoons of butter is used, divided for browning sausage, sautéing vegetables, and drizzling on top.
Should I include the sausage drippings in the stuffing?
Yes, transfer the cooked sausage along with its drippings into the bowl with the stuffing mix for extra flavor.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the apples, onion, and celery for about 5-7 minutes until they are softened.
Does the broth need to be hot?
The broth and parsley mixture should be brought to a boil before being poured over the stuffing mix.
Is this recipe inspired by a specific source?
Yes, this dish was inspired by a recipe from Woman's World.
What kind of salt is used?
The recipe specifies 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.
How much dried cranberries are used?
The recipe calls for half of an 8-ounce package, which is 4 ounces of dried cranberries.
Can this stuffing be served as a main meal?
While often a side dish, it can also be served as a comforting meal on its own.
Is this recipe good for picky eaters?
Yes, the description states it is guaranteed to impress even the choosiest eaters.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The stuffing features tender bread cubes and a top that is crisp and golden brown.
How long should the stuffing cool before serving?
Let the stuffing cool for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven to allow it to set.
What flavors define this dish?
It is defined by savory sage and sausage balanced with the tartness of cranberries and the sweetness of apples.
Can I use this for Christmas dinner?
Yes, it is tagged as a Christmas recipe and is perfect for any holiday celebration.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
Tags include holiday stuffing, sausage stuffing, cranberry, apple, side dish, and comfort food.