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About This Recipe
Made with simple ingredients but bursting with fresh flavor and textures, this Sausage and Sage Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries is festive and SO delicious! It is such a fun twist on a classic favorite! It will quickly become your go-to Thanksgiving stuffing!
This recipe is very customizable and easy to switch up! Feel free to use turkey sausage instead of regular breakfast sausage or different varieties of apples. You could even switch up the dried cranberries for another dried fruit of choice. SO many fun options here!!
This cranberry sausage stuffing recipe only takes a few minutes to prep and couldn’t be easier to put together. What is really amazing is that it can be made ahead of time! Prepare it the morning of Thanksgiving (It seriously only takes a few minutes!)
And when it’s nearing the time of your holiday meal, all of you have to do is pop this baby in the oven! You may need to allow it to bake for a little extra time, since the baking dish will be a little cold coming from the fridge.
Always a crowd pleaser, this sausage apple cranberry stuffing is sure to be one the entire family enjoys! It will become of your new Thanksgiving dinner family traditions.
Looking for more healthy Thanksgiving sides? Try my Healthy Green Bean Casserole, Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole or Maple Ginger Glazed Carrots!
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Apple Cranberry Stuffing
- Full of fresh savory flavor– add this to your list of favorite Thanksgiving recipes!
- A family friendly recipe everyone will love- this seriously this will become everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving stuffing recipe!
- So quick and easy to prepare– literally just takes a few minute to whip up!
- Easy to switch up + modify the ingredients to your preferences
- Can be prepped ahead of time! Just pull it out and bake when ready!
- Onion – I used a yellow onion but red onion or shallots would work too.
- Celery
- Sausage – I used lean turkey breakfast sausage. The type of sausage you use is very versatile. Use your favorite! You can use meatless crumbles to make this stuffing vegetarian/vegan or just omit the sausage completely.
- Herbs – I used fresh sage and parsley.
- Apple – I used a yellow golden delicious apple. I like the subtle sweetness it brings to this dish but Honey crisp, Granny Smith or any of your favorite varieties of apples would also work.
- Dried cranberries – sweet tart dried cranberries really help round out this flavor-packed savory dish! You could also use dried cherries or even raisins.
- Chicken stock – You could also use chicken broth or turkey stock. To make this vegetarian/vegan, use vegetable broth.
- Sage and onion stuffing – I used Pepperidge Farms cubed stuffing.
- Cooking essentials – olive oil, salt, pepper, butter.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Heat olive oil over medium heat. To a heavy large skillet, add onions and celery and cook for about 4-5 minutes or until softened.
2. Add the ground sausage, breaking up as it browns.
3. Cook sausage until it is completely cooked through, season with salt and pepper; stir in the fresh herbs.
4. Then stir in the diced apples, cranberries, bread crumbs and chicken stock.
5. Pour sausage mixture to the prepared dish. Drizzle melted butter over the stuffing and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes covered, then for another 20 uncovered until stuffing is lightly toasted and golden brown. Sprinkle with additional fresh herbs before serving.
Can I use a different type of sausage other than breakfast sausage?
Yes, you can! Turkey sausage, sage sausage, or any other variety of pork sausage works here! Use your favorite!
What types of apple work well with this sausage apple cranberry stuffing recipe?
I used golden delicious, but Granny Smth or any sweet apple would also taste great! Use your favorite!
Can you you freeze this recipe?
You sure can! Store it in an airtight container that is freezer safe. You could also use a ziplock freezer bag, You can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
The Best Sausage and Sage Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (15g)
- 1 medium onion (220g) diced
- 2 large stalks celery (115g) diced
- 1 lb. turkey sausage roll (or pork)
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp fresh sage chopped
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 yellow apple (175g) cored & diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (80g)
- 2 cups chicken stock or turkey stock
- 12 oz. sage and onion cubed stuffing about 6 cups – I used Pepperidge Farms
- 2 Tbsp melted butter (30g)
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and celery and cook for about 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the sausage, breaking into crumbles as it browns. Once sausage is cooked through, season with salt and pepper; stir in the fresh herbs.
- Then stir in the diced apples, cranberries, bread crumbs and chicken stock.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared dish. Drizzle melted butter over the stuffing and cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes covered, then for another 20 uncovered until stuffing is lightly toasted. Sprinkle with additional fresh herbs before serving.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
