This Best Ever Italian Sausage Stuffing Recipe is a mouthwatering blend of flavors and textures, perfectly combining crisp edges with a soft, buttery middle. It's a cherished family recipe, rich with tradition and the delightful aromas of sausage, onion, celery, and fresh herbs. It's an example of the joy and love that goes into holiday cooking, this stuffing is guaranteed to be the highlight of any feast table, evoking nostalgia and creating new memories.
Best Ever Italian Sausage Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients:
- Sausage: Use mild Italian sausage or any sausage you prefer. You can go for chicken, beef, pork, turkey sausages, or even a vegan option.
- Bread: White, whole wheat, grain, multigrain baguette, or cornbread are suitable choices. The recipe calls for a multigrain baguette.
- Broth: Vegetable or chicken broth can be used. Homemade broth is also recommended for enhanced flavor.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley, rosemary, and sage are specified in the recipe. Thyme is optional based on preference.
- Onion and Celery: Cooked with extra virgin olive oil and a dash of salt.
- Egg: Used to bind the ingredients together and add a glaze to the stuffing.
Instructions:
- Prep the Bread: It is important to use dry bread cubes. Cut your selected type of bread into 1-inch cubes and toast them in the oven until they're just beginning to brown. You can also leave the bread out overnight to get stale if you have more time.
- Cook the Sausage: Remove the sausage from its casings and lightly brown it in a skillet without fully cooking it. It should just start to brown, as it will continue cooking in the oven later.
- Saute Veggies and Herbs: In another skillet, cook the diced onions and celery with olive oil, butter, and a dash of salt.
- Heat the Broth: Warm up the broth in a small saucepan.
- Combine: In a large bowl, mix the toasted bread cubes with the sausage, onion mixture, whisked egg, and fresh herbs. Gradually add a cup of warmed broth, adding more as needed to achieve the desired moistness.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes or until it is heated through and has a golden brown top.
Serving Ideas: Not just for special dinners, this stuffing can be a tasty addition to other meals. For a hearty breakfast, top it on an omelet. Or, make a fun dinner by stuffing it into hollowed-out bell peppers and baking until the peppers are tender.
Tips:
- For more convenience, you can use unseasoned stuffing cubes available at grocery stores.
- The stuffing can be prepared up to 8 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Ensure there's enough broth to prevent the stuffing from becoming too dry.
- An egg helps to give the stuffing a nice color and a little glaze.
- Cover with foil if the top starts to brown too quickly.
Leftovers:
- Refrigerate any leftover stuffing for up to 3 days. Reheat with a bit of broth to moisten.
- You can freeze the stuffing for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw before reheating.
Customization Ideas: Sweet or spicy, choose your favorite type of sausage. For a no-gluten option, go for gluten-free bread. Mix in things you like such as pine nuts for crunch or raisins for a sweet bite. Veggie lovers, why not add chopped spinach?
Wine Pairing Suggestions: A glass of Pinot Noir is great with this stuffing because it’s light but flavorful. If you like your wine a bit bolder, try Zinfandel; it’s yummy with the savory sausage.
Storage Tips: Got leftovers? No problem. Put it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for a few days. If you want to save it for later, this stuffing freezes well. Just thaw it in the fridge before you use it again and reheat it in the oven until it’s warm and toasty.
Enjoy this classic stuffing as a perfect complement to your holiday meals or any time you want to indulge in this flavorful side dish.
