Sausage and Apple Stuffing Recipe for Holiday Feasts

Sausage & Apple Stuffing balances sweet and savory with fragrant herbs, Italian sausage, and tender baked apples. It’s a perfect side for Thanksgiving or any family meal.

If you like stuffing with a little extra “stuff,” this Sausage & Apple Stuffing may become your go-to side. Along with classic ingredients like bread cubes, celery, onion, and herbs, it’s loaded with savory Italian sausage and sweet-tart apples for contrast. The result is comforting, full-flavored, and easy to prepare.

Easy Sausage & Apple Stuffing Recipe

This recipe blends convenience with homemade flavor. Using a boxed stuffing mix keeps prep quick—no need to cube and dry bread—while fresh sausage, vegetables, herbs, and apples add real depth. The apples contribute a bright, slightly tart sweetness that pairs beautifully with the sausage and herbs.

You can easily customize this stuffing with extra mix-ins, but it’s delightful as written and stands up well alongside traditional Thanksgiving mains and sides.

Ingredients for Sausage & Apple Stuffing

See the recipe card below for quantities and complete instructions.

• Canola oil – or another neutral oil.
• Mild Italian sausage – use spicier sausage if you prefer more heat.
• Unsalted butter – or salted, reducing added salt as needed.
• Celery
• Onion
• Granny Smith apples – or other firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn.
• Dried sage
• Dried rosemary
• Chicken stock
• Egg – beaten to bind the stuffing.
• Stuffing mix – your preferred boxed stuffing.
• Kosher salt & black pepper

Variations

Optional additions to customize the stuffing:

• Add shaved Parmesan or cubes of gruyère or sharp cheddar for a cheesy twist.
• Toss in walnuts or pecans for crunch.
• Stir in dried fruit like currants or dried cranberries for extra sweetness.

How to Make Sausage & Apple Stuffing

1. Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Cook the sausage: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and break it up with a wooden spoon as it browns.
3. Add vegetables and apples: When the sausage begins to brown, stir in the butter, celery, onion, apple, sage, and rosemary. Cook until the vegetables soften and the sausage is fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Combine: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the chicken stock and beaten egg. Add the stuffing mix and fold until everything is evenly combined. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
5. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 15–20 minutes more until the stuffing is heated through and golden on top.

How to Store Sausage & Apple Stuffing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven until warmed through. You can also freeze cooked stuffing for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

This stuffing is excellent served alongside roasted turkey, turkey breast, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, or any hearty mains. It also works well as a stuffing for roasted poultry if you prefer to cook it inside the bird.

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