Joanie’s Sausage Bread Stuffing is a delectable Thanksgiving delight that’s perfect for feeding large groups and requires less than 4 hours of your time from start to finish. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a total cook time of 1 hour, this recipe yields approximately 14 cups of savory stuffing, each serving bursting with flavor and warmth.
Ingredients:

- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 10-12 cups bread cubes (about 1 loaf)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Instructions:
-
Prepare Ingredients:
- Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
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Sauté Sausage and Aromatics:
- Add the breakfast sausage, chopped onions, celery, minced garlic, fresh sage, dried sage, fresh thyme leaves, dried thyme, celery seeds, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt to the skillet.
- Sauté the mixture until the sausage is no longer pink and the onions are soft, typically about 5 to 7 minutes. Do not drain the skillet after sautéing.
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Combine Ingredients:
- Transfer the sautéed sausage and vegetable mixture to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the bread cubes, dried cranberries, and dried cherries to the bowl.
- Season with ground black pepper.
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Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, combine the milk and white wine.
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Assemble Stuffing:
- Pour the milk and wine mixture over the bread and sausage mixture in the large bowl.
- Add the chicken or vegetable broth.
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined. The stuffing should just barely hold together when mounded on a spoon.
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Bake:
- If stuffing a turkey, stuff the bird with the mixture. If baking separately, transfer the stuffing to a casserole dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven until heated through, typically for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- For a crunchy top, uncover the stuffing during the last 15 minutes of baking.
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Serve:
- Once baked to perfection, remove the stuffing from the oven.
- Serve hot, with the comforting aroma filling the air, alongside your favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories per serving: 252.2
- Fat: 16.7g
- Saturated Fat: 7.3g
- Cholesterol: 44.7mg
- Sodium: 665.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 16.6g
- Fiber: 1.6g
- Sugar: 2.6g
- Protein: 8.8g
This recipe yields a generous amount of stuffing, making it perfect for gatherings with family and friends. Each serving offers a harmonious blend of savory sausage, aromatic herbs, and sweet dried fruits, creating a memorable dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you’re hosting a traditional Thanksgiving feast or simply craving a cozy meal, Joanie’s Sausage Bread Stuffing is sure to become a beloved favorite in your recipe collection. Enjoy the warmth and joy of the holiday season with this delicious dish! 🍽️🦃