This Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Apples is a proven favorite with family and friends!
I recently polled two people sitting next to and across from me at our kitchen table…(sorry, I have polls on the brain), and asked, “If I were to share my quintessential Thanksgiving recipe with the blog-o-sphere, what would it be?” And without hesitation, at the same time, in tune even, they said, “stuffing”.
So, because you can’t argue with the polls – I bring you our family’s favorite holiday side dish (just don’t tell the sweet potato casserole I said that.)
Here’s the deal – I happened (notice the past tense reference) happened to be a huge fan of a very popular boxed stuffing mix. I won’t name names but you probably know which stuffing I’m referring to. I’m certain I would have been a very happy camper forever eating that particular brand of stuffing until the day my whole world changed.
All bets were off when homemade stuffing with sausage and apples came into my life.
You’d think I had never had stuffing before. It was all I could do to keep from going back for seconds or thirds even, but I was with a large group and thought it best to share.
It was on that fateful day, many moons ago, that my world was turned upside down in the best way possible. I mean, to think there could be a better stuffing out there was, to my relatively young tastebuds, a surprise they didn’t know they needed. So I took to the books and found a recipe that has been tweaked many times but still maintains the solid bones it started with…maple-y sausage and sweet apples in a mix of country white bread, onion, celery, nutmeg, parsley, sage and thyme. I mean – if these aren’t the flavors of Thanksgiving, I don’t know what is!
So, here’s my recommendation – prepare the dish on Wednesday. Take your time, don’t rush, pay attention that the apples are cut perfectly and the bread pieces are one inch cubes and the tender thyme leaves are carefully removed one at a time…
PSYCHE!
Does that even sound like me? You knew I was kidding, didn’t you? I would never do that to you!
I think the thing I love (almost) as much as its flavor is that it’s a “rustic” dish – you know what that means – perfectly imperfect! So, once it’s ready – throw it in the refrigerator and forget about it until Thursday when there’s room in the oven and you have about an hour to bake it, perhaps while the turkey is resting.
Now, I have a little surprise… I know it’s not Christmas (oh, I love this time of year), but I have a gift for you.
And this is a gift that keeps on giving…
A group of talented blogger friends and I have been planning for weeks to share an entire Thanksgiving meal, from soup to nuts, with you, and today’s the day!
Whether you’re looking to tweak what you already have, are preparing Thanksgiving dinner for the first time, or want to add something new to your repertoire – you’ve come to the right place!
Check out our Virtual Thanksgiving Day Dinner:
Appetizer: Jalapeño Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball from MaryAnn at The Beach House Kitchen
Rolls: Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls from Kathleen at Hapa Nom Nom
Soup: Apple & Cheddar Hard Cider Soup (with Crispy Prosciutto & Pumpkin Seeds) from Cheyanne at No Spoon Necessary
Salad: Brussels Sprout Salad with Pear and Pomegranate from Karen at Seasonal Cravings
Turkey: Garlic and Herb Roast Turkey with Cider Pan Gravy from Cathy at What Should I Make For
Dessert: The Queen of Pumpkin Cakes from Cindy at The Sweet Nerd
So, there you have it. I love that I had the chance to join forces with some spectacular ladies on this Holiday post(!) but what I wouldn’t do to meet up and share this meal with them in person.
But until that day, I’ll have to settle for the second best thing which is to make their gorgeous dishes from the comforts of my home.
I can do that! I hope you will, too!
Buon Appetito!
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Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
- Yield: 14 - 16 cups 1x
- Category: Side-Dish
Description
This Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Apples is a proven favorite with family and friends!
Ingredients
- 24 oz. breakfast link sausage, removed from casing
- 3 lbs. Empire apples, peeled and diced
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
- 1 lb. loaf country white bread, chopped in 1/2-inch cubes and dried
- 2 (heaping) cups chopped sweet Vidalia or sweet yellow onion
- 1 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp. minced fresh sage
- 1 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/3 – 1 cup chicken stock
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, break up the sausage as it cooks until no longer pink, about 8 – 10 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove sausage to a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
- Pour off all but 3 Tbsp. of the fat and return skillet to the stove.
- Add and cook apples with 4 tablespoons butter and nutmeg, stirring frequently, until tender. Remove apples from heat and set aside.
- Position a rack in the center of the oven.
- Place bread on a large baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden brown.
- Remove from oven, place in a large bowl and set aside.
- In the meantime, heat 1 stick of butter (8 Tbsp.) in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the foam subsides.
- Add and cook until tender the onion and celery. Continuously stir for about 5 minutes.
- Remove skillet from stove and and stir in fresh parsley, sage, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Stir onion mixture, sausage and apples into the bread cubes and toss until well combined.
- Depending on how much butter you started with and how firm you want the stuffing, stir in 1/3 – 1 cup chicken stock until the stuffing is lightly moist but not packed together.
- Turn stuffing into a large shallow buttered baking dish.
- Bake in a 350 F oven until the top has formed a crust and stuffing is heated through, 25 to 40 minutes.
CIAO!
This stuffing looks amazing! Love apples! Pinned to try it!
Thank you, Mira! I love the apples, too!
I also love that famous boxed mix! Can you believe it? Love the flavor of sausage and apples together so this sounds heavenly. Gorgeous photos!
I haven’t had it in the longest time but if truth be told, I think about it sometimes! heheheh! Thanks, Karen!
What a fantastic holiday menu, and your stuffing looks unbelievable, (I love the sounds of the sausage/apple combo)!
Thanks, Kari!! This is a fun one! 🙂
Yesss. Homemade stuffing is my favoriteee. I’m so obsessed with my moms that I have a hard time making anything else for the BIG DAY, but I try to test out some other recipes around the holiday. This one looks delicious!
Thanks so much, Sues! Nothing like Mom’s! That’s for sure!! 🙂
I’m so ready for this, bring it on!! I love a certain unnamed box mix stuffing as well but yours is a game changer! Sausage and Apples just make this heavenly! Plus I think baking it separately helps the bird cook more evenly. Super delicious! Pinned! Take care.
See that – you know what I’m talking about! hahaha! Yeah, we never stuff the bird – have never… I’m ready, too!! Thanks, my friend!!
Stuffing is always one of my favorites, and I usually go from the bag too (so happy you copped the that). I will definitely give this a try. Cheers!
Oh yeahhh – those days were gone long ago! Thanks for stopping by with a kind word! Enjoy!!
Stuffing is always my most favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table! It just sings to my inner carb-queen! And when that bread soaks up all of those juices from the sausage, apples, and all of those other wonderful ingredients, it’s just like heaven on a fork! Beautifully done my dear 🙂
It’s gotta be the bread, right? And when a little gravy mixes in – pure joy! Thank you so much, my dear!! 🙂
This is the main event for me. I am all about the stuffing on Thanksgiving. I want a whole plateful of this!
It is hard to resist! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
I love home made stuffing, Annie – it’s one of my favorite dishes at Thanksgiving. I don’t know why we don’t eat stuffing all year long – but it seems to be mainly associated with Thanksgiving. It’s so easy and delicious – love your version!
I hear you! I make this recipe once a year (well, twice this year 😉 )…I guess that’s what keeps it special! Thank you, my friend!
I know I made the turkey for our feast, but (shhhh) the stuffing is always my favorite part of the meal. I have a stuffing recipe coming soon, but I’m crazy for what you’ve done here today. The sausage, the apple, and all of that sweet onion! I’ll have a plate this please!
You’re secret’s good with me, my friend! I don’t know though – that turkey and gravy of yours – I’m thinking it can’t be beat! Thanks, lovely! 🙂
Love the post! I think my world changed today with being introduced to this lovely sausage and apple stuffing. Also, your spice combination is brilliant. Yum! Can’t wait to make this. Cheers-
Thank you so much, Cindy!! That spice combination is everything! Enjoy, my friend!! 🙂
Homemade stuffing makes all the difference in the world!! what a lovely dinner you have hosted here! beautiful dishes!!
It sure does! Nothing better! Thank you, my friend! 🙂
Stuffing or dressing is honestly one of my favourite things EVER! I mean, I could honestly make a meal out of it. No joke. Love the sausage and apples in there for a nice savoury/sweet combo. Our Thanksgiving is over for the year, but would love to make this one for Christmas. I know it would go over well with my family, as it does yours. Looks like you guys have a lovely collection of recipes there. Just imagine, though, if you all got together for a meal. How awesome would that be?? You’re making me hungry and it’s not even 10am 😉 Pinned, of course. Happy Monday! XO
I’m with you…if I were told I had to choose just one Thanksgiving side to eat for the rest of my days…stuffing would be it. And then I’d eat all the rest on the other days! 😉 Too early for my bad jokes? Thanks so much, my friend! And thanks for the pin! XO
I totally agree…stuffing is essential for Thanksgiving! I am NOT a fan of the boxed kind at all. I would eat it growing up, but just blech. Homemade is where it’s at and your version looks fantastic, Annie! I love the sausage and apples in here!
It is essential! I’m so glad my tastebuds learned the error of their ways! Homemade, of course, is where it’s at!! Thanks, my friend!! 🙂
OMG, homemade stuffing owns my heart! Seriously my plate at Thanksgiving is always 40% stuffing. 🙂 I just LOVE it and yours is SCREAMING my name, Annie!! I can totally see why this is your families favorite! Sausgae and apples, YES!!!! You know I’m taking one for the team this year and not making stuffing, but I’m thinking I may have to sneak this in… just for me. <3 I'll eat it in the dang closet if I have to! lol. Pinned! Cheers!
Ohhh, I hope you do! I promise not to tell Boy! Dom and Lucy are feeling pretty lucky this year since they’ll get it twice! Thanks for the kind word, my friend! Have a great day! Cheers!
It’s so worth it to make the stuffing homemade isn’t it Annie?! I can see why your family chose this recipe to share on the blog! It sounds absolutely delish! I usually add sausage to mine, but I’ve never added apples. I’ll give your recipe a try at our table. I’m thinking it will totally get the double thumbs up here too!
There’s no question! The apples add a nice sweet and soft element to the dish. Thank you, my friend!