Sausage & Herb Stuffing with Apples

Sausage & Herb Stuffing with Apples is a savory, hearty, and flavor-packed side dish that’s a must-have at any Thanksgiving feast. With toasted bread cubes, juicy sausage, sweet apples, mushrooms, and a medley of herbs, this classic dish offers a perfect blend of textures and autumnal flavors that make it ideal for the holidays or a comforting weeknight meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crisp edges and a soft, flavorful center

• Combines savory sausage and sweet apples for depth

• Herby, aromatic, and packed with texture

• Perfect for holidays, but satisfying year-round

• Easily made ahead to save time on busy days

• Can be stuffed into a turkey or baked on its own

• Customizable with vegetarian or spicy versions

• Feeds a crowd with simple ingredients

• Easy to freeze and reheat

• Crowd-pleasing and family-approved

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 10 cups cubed bread (any variety, such as whole wheat, sourdough, or sandwich bread)

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 ribs celery, thinly sliced (about 150g)

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 cup chopped mushrooms

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or leaves from 3 fresh stalks)

• 1 teaspoon dried sage (or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh)

• 2 teaspoons dried parsley (or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh)

• 1 pound mild Italian sausage (casings removed)

• 2 cups diced apples (about 2 medium; a mix of tart and sweet like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)

• 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth

• Optional: ⅔ cup dried cranberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C). Spread bread cubes on baking sheets and toast for 15 minutes until lightly crisp. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

2. Sauté vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onion, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 4 minutes until softened.

3. Add herbs, mushrooms, sausage, and apples: Stir in mushrooms, thyme, sage, and parsley. Cook for 3 more minutes. Add sausage, breaking it up as it browns. Stir in apples and cook another 4 minutes.

4. Combine and mix: Add the cooked sausage and apple mixture to the bowl with bread. Pour in chicken broth and add cranberries if using. Stir gently to combine.

5. Bake: Grease a 9×13-inch or 3–4 quart baking dish. Spoon stuffing into dish. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 40–45 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 8–10

• Prep time: 45 minutes

• Cook time: 45 minutes

• Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian: Use extra mushrooms or diced butternut squash instead of sausage; swap in vegetable broth

• Spicy: Try hot Italian sausage for added heat

• Sweeter: Add raisins or use sweeter apple varieties like Fuji or Gala

• Nutty: Add toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch

• Cornbread stuffing: Use cornbread in place of traditional bread cubes

• Stuffed turkey: Cool the stuffing completely before stuffing a bird

Storage / Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers tightly covered for up to 5 days

• Freezer: Freeze baked stuffing up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating

• Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 20–25 minutes or microwave individual portions until heated through

FAQs

Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the cooked sausage mixture and toast the bread cubes in advance. Combine with broth and bake the next day.

Can I use store-bought croutons instead of cubed bread?

Yes, unseasoned croutons work well as a shortcut. Use the same volume as listed.

What type of apples work best in this recipe?

A mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp) apples offers a great balance.

Can I freeze the stuffing before baking?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled, unbaked stuffing. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.

Should the sausage be cooked before baking?

Yes, brown the sausage in a skillet with the vegetables before mixing it with the bread.

Can I omit the mushrooms?

Absolutely. You can substitute with extra celery or carrots for similar texture.

How do I make this stuffing more moist?

Add an extra ½ cup of broth if you prefer a moister stuffing.

What’s the best bread to use?

Whole wheat, sourdough, sandwich bread, or a mix works well. Avoid overly soft breads.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes. Use the dried measurements in the ingredient list. Fresh adds brightness, but dried is just as flavorful.

How do I reheat without drying out the stuffing?

Cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm. Add a splash of broth if needed to retain moisture.

Conclusion

Sausage & Herb Stuffing with Apples is the kind of dish that turns a holiday meal into a memory. With its comforting aroma, rich savory notes, and tender bread tossed with herbs and sweet apples, it’s the kind of recipe that’s passed down through generations. Whether you serve it on Thanksgiving or as a cozy weeknight casserole, this stuffing brings everyone back for seconds.