Irresistible Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing in 45 Minutes

Nothing says holiday feast like the comforting aroma of sausage herb stuffing wafting from the oven. Growing up, I’d wake up on Thanksgiving morning to the sizzle of breakfast sausage in my mom’s cast iron skillet – that sound meant the Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing was underway. This hearty side dish has become our family’s ultimate comfort food, the kind that disappears fast and gets requested year after year.

What makes this recipe special isn’t just the golden-brown crust or the way it soaks up gravy (though that’s heavenly). It’s how the savory sausage, fresh herbs, and soft bread cubes come together into something greater than the sum of their parts. Simple ingredients transform into magic when baked together – just like how holiday meals turn ordinary days into cherished memories.

Why You’ll Love This Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing

Trust me, this stuffing will become your new holiday tradition! Here’s why everyone goes back for seconds:

• The savory sausage and fresh herbs create an incredible aroma that fills your whole kitchen (your guests will follow their noses!)
• It’s surprisingly simple to make – just brown, mix, and bake
• The crispy golden top gives way to a perfectly moist center
• Leftovers taste even better the next day (if you’re lucky enough to have any)
• It pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, or even roasted chicken for non-holiday meals

My family actually fights over who gets the corner pieces with the most crunch – you’ve been warned!

Ingredients for Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing

Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference between good stuffing and legendary stuffing! Here’s what you’ll need to create that magical holiday flavor:

• 1 lb breakfast sausage – the savory base (I prefer mild, but spicy works great too!)
• 1 cup chopped onion – about 1 medium onion, diced small
• 1 cup chopped celery – 2-3 stalks, include some leaves for extra flavor
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – fresh is best, but 1/2 tsp garlic powder works in a pinch
• 6 cups cubed bread – day-old French or sourdough works perfectly
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley – flat-leaf has more flavor
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage – the star herb that screams “holidays!”
• 1 tsp dried thyme – or 1 tbsp fresh if you have it
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth – low-sodium lets you control the salt
• 2 eggs, beaten – our secret binding agent

Pro tip: Measure everything before you start cooking – it makes the process so much smoother when you’re in the holiday cooking zone!

Equipment You’ll Need

Here’s all you need to whip up this holiday favorite:

• A trusty skillet (I swear by my grandma’s cast iron)
• Large mixing bowl – go big so you can stir without spills
• 9×13 inch baking dish – the perfect stuffing vessel
• Wooden spoon for that nostalgic stirring feel
• Chef’s knife and cutting board for prepping those veggies

That’s it – no fancy gadgets required!

How to Make Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing

Preparing the Sausage and Vegetables

First things first – crank that oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when you are. Now grab your skillet and let’s get that sausage going! Brown the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles with your spoon as it cooks (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess grease, but leave about a tablespoon – that’s flavor gold! Remove the sausage and in that same glorious pan, sauté the onion, celery, and garlic until they’re soft and fragrant (about 5 minutes). You’ll know they’re ready when your kitchen smells like holiday heaven.

Combining the Ingredients

In your biggest mixing bowl (trust me, you’ll want the space), combine the bread cubes, cooked sausage, sautéed veggies, and all those fresh herbs. Toss everything together like you’re mixing up happiness! In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and beaten eggs – this is what’ll give your stuffing that perfect moist-but-not-soggy texture. Pour the liquid over your bread mixture and gently fold everything together until the bread starts soaking up that goodness.

Baking the Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing

Transfer your stuffing mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish and spread it evenly. Pop it in your preheated oven and let the magic happen for about 45 minutes. You’re waiting for that beautiful golden-brown crust to form on top while the inside stays wonderfully moist. If it starts browning too quickly, just tent some foil over the top. When you pull it out, let it rest for 5 minutes – this helps the flavors settle and makes it easier to serve. That first spoonful of crispy top with the soft center? Absolute holiday bliss!

Tips for Perfect Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing

After making this stuffing for decades, I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to “can I get your recipe?” good:

• Day-old bread is key – fresh bread turns mushy, but slightly stale cubes hold their texture beautifully
• Make it ahead – assemble everything the night before, cover, and refrigerate (add 5-10 minutes to baking time)
• Sweet twist – toss in 1/2 cup dried cranberries for pops of tart sweetness that cut through the richness
• Herb hack – rub fresh sage between your palms before chopping to release more aromatic oils

My secret? I always make a double batch – the leftovers disappear faster than you’d think!

Serving Suggestions for Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing

This stuffing shines brightest alongside roasted turkey with plenty of gravy – the way the bread soaks up those pan drippings is downright magical! But don’t stop there – it’s equally delicious with:

• Juicy holiday ham with a maple glaze
• Simple roasted chicken for weeknight comfort
• A medley of roasted root vegetables
• Creamy mashed potatoes (yes, carbs on carbs!)

My family insists on stuffing sandwiches with leftover turkey and cranberry sauce – messy but worth every bite!

Storing and Reheating

Here’s the good news – this Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing keeps beautifully! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, I prefer the oven (350°F for 15-20 minutes) to keep that crispy top, but the microwave works in a pinch (1-2 minutes, stirring halfway). Pro tip: Sprinkle a little broth over cold stuffing before reheating to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven moisture!

Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing FAQs

Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this recipe – here are the ones that come up most often:

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Use 1/3 the amount of dried herbs (so 1 tsp dried sage instead of 1 tbsp fresh). Just rub them between your fingers first to wake up those oils. But trust me – fresh sage makes all the difference if you can get it!

How can I make this vegetarian?
Easy swap! Use plant-based sausage (the Italian-style works great) and veggie broth. You’ll still get that hearty texture and all the herby goodness.

My stuffing came out dry – what went wrong?
Probably needed more broth or didn’t let the bread soak long enough. Next time, check that all the bread looks moistened before baking, and add an extra splash of broth if needed.

Can I freeze leftovers?
You bet! Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven to bring back that crispy top.

What bread works best?
My go-to is day-old French bread, but sourdough, ciabatta, or even cornbread all make delicious variations. Just avoid super soft sandwich bread – it turns to mush!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re diving into, here’s the scoop on one serving of this Holiday Sausage Herb Stuffing (about 1/8 of the recipe):

• 320 calories – perfect for a hearty holiday side
• 18g fat (6g saturated) – that’s the sausage doing its delicious work
• 25g carbs – hello, bread and veggies!
• 14g protein – not bad for a side dish

Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary depending on your ingredients. But let’s be real – holidays are for enjoying, not counting every calorie!

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