Description
A savory and sweet stuffing made with cornbread, sausage, apples, and sage, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups cornbread, cubed and dried (about one 9x13 pan of homemade or store-bought cornbread, cut into 1-inch cubes and left out overnight to dry)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground pork sausage (mild or breakfast-style)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- 3 stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 medium apples, diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried sage)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust based on sausage saltiness)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread dried cornbread cubes on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently to coat. Toast in the oven for 10 minutes, until lightly golden and crisp on the edges. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through (6 to 8 minutes). Leave about a tablespoon of fat in the pan. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to the bowl with cornbread cubes.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
- Add diced apples, minced garlic, chopped sage, and thyme. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until apples start to soften but still hold their shape. Season with salt and pepper. Scrape everything into the bowl with cornbread and sausage.
- Gently stir the mixture to distribute ingredients evenly. In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth and beaten egg. Pour over the cornbread mixture and stir gently until evenly moistened but not swimming in liquid. Add more broth if needed, a tablespoon at a time.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Spoon the stuffing mixture into the dish and spread into an even layer. Do not press down.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Remove from oven and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, dry cornbread cubes overnight. If short on time, toast at 300°F for 15 minutes. Use low-sodium broth to control salt. Let stuffing rest before serving. Can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking (add 10 minutes to covered baking time).
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 c
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 14
Keywords: cornbread stuffing, sausage stuffing, apple stuffing, sage stuffing, Thanksgiving stuffing, holiday side dish