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Crispy Sausage Sage Cornbread Stuffing

Crispy Sausage Sage Cornbread Stuffing - featured image

A rich and savory side dish combining crumbled cornbread, Italian sausage, and fresh sage. This recipe offers a unique texture by skipping the traditional toasting step for maximum flavor absorption, resulting in a dense, comforting meal perfect for holidays or weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 to 10 cups crumbled day-old cornbread
  • 1 pound sweet or mild Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 to 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. If using fresh cornbread, spread cubes on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes to dry out.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  3. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and fresh sage in the last minute.
  4. Pour the sausage and onion mixture over the crumbled cornbread in a large bowl. Toss gently.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with salt, pepper, and thyme. Pour over the bread mixture and toss. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  6. Gradually add 1 cup of chicken broth. Toss and check moisture; add remaining broth if needed until bread is damp but not swimming.
  7. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Smooth the top.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
  9. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Day-old cornbread is best as it absorbs liquid without turning to mush. If using fresh cornbread, dry it out in the oven first. Do not skip browning the sausage for maximum flavor. For a vegetarian version, swap sausage for mushrooms and walnuts, and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: cornbread stuffing, sausage stuffing, holiday side dish, easy stuffing, sage cornbread, Thanksgiving side, weeknight dinner