Get ready to elevate your holiday table or any special meal with this absolutely irresistible Savory Sausage and Cheddar Stuffing. It’s a comforting blend of savory sausage, tender vegetables, and perfectly toasted bread cubes, all bound together with rich cheddar and aromatic herbs. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a hug on a plate that’s sure to become a cherished favorite.
Imagine a golden-brown, bubbling casserole with a delightful contrast of textures – crispy edges giving way to a moist, flavorful interior.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Rich, savory, herbaceous, with a delightful cheesy tang.
- Textures: A beautiful mix of tender bread cubes, slightly softened vegetables, and wonderfully crisp, golden-brown topping.
- Total Active Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
- Total Cook Time: Approximately 40-50 minutes.
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for bakers of all levels.
What You’ll Need
This delightful stuffing centers around hearty Italian sausage, a generous amount of day-old bread cubes for that perfect texture, and a flavor-packed sauté of onion, celery, and garlic. A simple liquid binder of chicken broth and eggs, along with plenty of sharp cheddar cheese and fresh herbs, brings it all together beautifully.
Ingredient Notes
- Sausage: Using mild or spicy Italian turkey or beef sausage adds a wonderful depth of savory flavor. Ensure the casings are removed before browning.
- Bread Cubes: Day-old white or sourdough bread is ideal for stuffing as it absorbs the liquid without becoming too mushy. Aim for cubes that are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in size.
- Butter: Unsalted butter provides the perfect base for sautéing the vegetables and adds richness to the overall dish.
- Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth is used to provide moisture and flavor. You can adjust the saltiness later with your own seasoning.
- Eggs: The beaten eggs act as a binder, helping to hold the stuffing together beautifully.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese brings a wonderful tangy flavor and melts into creamy pockets throughout the stuffing.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley and sage, along with dried thyme, create a classic aromatic profile that complements the sausage and cheese perfectly.
Add-ins and Substitutions
While this stuffing is wonderfully delicious as is, feel free to get creative!
- Veggies: You could add diced mushrooms along with the onions and celery, or stir in some finely chopped bell peppers for a touch of sweetness.
- Nuts: For a bit of crunch, consider adding toasted pecans or walnuts to the mixture before baking.
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, opt for spicy Italian sausage and perhaps add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Cheese Variety: Gruyere or a sharp white cheddar could be interesting alternatives or additions to the sharp cheddar.
How to Make Savory Sausage and Cheddar Stuffing
Let’s get this wonderful stuffing into your oven! It’s a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results.
- Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish.
- Brown the Sausage and Combine: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s nicely browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the dry bread cubes to the skillet with the sausage and toss gently to combine and coat the bread with some of the sausage drippings. Set this mixture aside.
- Sauté Vegetables and Aromatics: In the same skillet (or a separate one if needed), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine Mixture: Add the sautéed vegetables and garlic to the sausage and bread cube mixture. Stir everything together gently.
- Add Liquid Binder: In a separate bowl, whisk together the low-sodium chicken broth and beaten eggs. Pour this liquid mixture over the bread and sausage mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly moistened.
- Incorporate Cheese and Herbs: Fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh sage, and dried thyme. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste. Toss everything gently to distribute the cheese and herbs throughout.
-
Bake the Stuffing:
- Covered Bake: Pour the stuffing mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Uncovered Bake: Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and wonderfully crisp.
-
Pro Tip: Don’t over-mix the stuffing once the liquid is added. A gentle toss ensures the bread cubes absorb the moisture without breaking down too much, leading to a better texture.
Recipe Tips
- Bread Choice Matters: Using slightly stale bread is key. If your bread is very fresh, you can lightly toast the cubes in the oven for about 10-15 minutes at 300°F (150°C) before starting.
- Don’t Skip the Browning: Browning the sausage not only cooks it but also develops a deeper flavor that infuses the entire dish.
- Achieving Crispiness: The final uncovered bake is crucial for that delicious crispy topping. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning, but allow it to get beautifully golden.
- Even Moistness: Ensure the bread cubes are evenly coated with the liquid mixture for consistent texture throughout the stuffing.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste the mixture before baking (after adding the broth and eggs, before folding in cheese) and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
FAQs
- Can I use different types of sausage? Absolutely! While Italian sausage is fantastic, any good quality breakfast sausage or even ground pork could be used. Just be mindful of the seasoning if you choose a less seasoned option.
- What if my bread cubes are too soft? If your bread is very fresh, you can pre-toast it. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, until they feel slightly dried out.
- Can I make this stuffing ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the mixture up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of broth before baking if it seems too dry.
Serving Suggestions
This Savory Sausage and Cheddar Stuffing is a perfect accompaniment to roasted turkey, chicken, or pork. It’s also wonderful alongside a hearty pot roast or a simple weeknight chicken dinner. A dollop of cranberry sauce or a side of green beans would be delightful additions to the plate.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can certainly prep components ahead of time to make your cooking day easier.
- Bread Cubes: Cube your bread a day or two in advance and let it sit out on the counter to dry, or toast it as mentioned in the tips.
- Vegetable Prep: Dice the onion and celery and mince the garlic up to a day ahead. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Assembling: You can combine all the ingredients (except for the final cheese and parsley for garnish if you wish) up to 24 hours before baking. Cover the unbaked stuffing tightly and refrigerate. Before baking, you may want to let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, and you might need to add a touch more broth to ensure it’s not too dry. Bake as directed, potentially adding a few extra minutes to the covered bake time.
Savory Sausage and Cheddar Stuffing
- Total Time: 70-80 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
Description
Elevate your holiday table with this irresistible Savory Sausage and Cheddar Stuffing, a comforting blend of savory sausage, tender vegetables, sharp cheddar, and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
1 lb mild or spicy Italian turkey sausage or beef sausage, casing removed
12 cups dry bread cubes (white or sourdough)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 large eggs, beaten
1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s nicely browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the dry bread cubes to the skillet with the sausage and toss gently to combine and coat the bread with some of the sausage drippings. Set this mixture aside.
In the same skillet (or a separate one if needed), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the sautéed vegetables and garlic to the sausage and bread cube mixture. Stir everything together gently.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the low-sodium chicken broth and beaten eggs. Pour this liquid mixture over the bread and sausage mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly moistened.
Fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh sage, and dried thyme. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste. Toss everything gently to distribute the cheese and herbs throughout.
Pour the stuffing mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and wonderfully crisp.
Notes
Using slightly stale bread is key. If your bread is very fresh, you can lightly toast the cubes in the oven for about 10-15 minutes at 300°F (150°C) before starting.
Browning the sausage not only cooks it but also develops a deeper flavor that infuses the entire dish.
The final uncovered bake is crucial for that delicious crispy topping. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning, but allow it to get beautifully golden.
Ensure the bread cubes are evenly coated with the liquid mixture for consistent texture throughout the stuffing.
Always taste the mixture before baking (after adding the broth and eggs, before folding in cheese) and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A
