Vegetarian Sausage Apple Stuffing
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
This delightful Vegetarian Sausage Apple Stuffing emerged one Thanksgiving when a dear friend of mine, who had recently embraced vegetarianism, expressed his longing for the traditional flavors of the season. Inspired by my own stuffing recipe that has graced our family table for years, I crafted this version that not only satisfied his cravings but also won over the taste buds of everyone at the gathering. Many have remarked that it rivals any meat-based stuffing they’ve ever encountered. While the inclusion of vegetarian sausage patties adds a unique flavor and texture, feel free to omit them for a lighter stuffing that remains incredibly delicious. I hope you find joy in this recipe as you share it with friends and family!
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cornbread stuffing mix |
| 1/2 | Salt |
| NA | Fresh ground black pepper |
| 2 | Margarine |
| 1/4 | Olive oil |
| 1/4 | Celery (finely chopped) |
| 1 | Onion (finely chopped) |
| 2-3 | Vegetarian breakfast sausage patties (chopped) |
| 1 | Apple (peeled, cored, and chopped) |
| 2/3 | Pecans (chopped) |
| 2 | Cups of water |
| 1 | Vegetarian chicken flavored broth mix (or cubes) |
| 2 | Vegetable bouillon cubes |
Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 10 servings)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 174.7 kcal |
| Total Fat | 10.6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 12.2 mg |
| Sodium | 370.7 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 18.6 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g |
| Sugars | 4 g |
| Protein | 2.6 g |
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s ready for the delicious stuffing to come.
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Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly spray a large casserole dish with non-stick spray to prevent the stuffing from sticking during baking.
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Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornbread stuffing mix, salt, fresh ground black pepper, and if desired, Bell’s seasoning. Toss everything together until evenly distributed.
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Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the margarine (or butter) with the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the finely chopped celery and sauté for about one to two minutes, allowing it to soften.
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Add Onions and Sausage: Next, stir in the chopped onions and continue sautéing for an additional few minutes until they become translucent. Incorporate the chopped vegetarian sausage patties, diced apple, and chopped pecans into the skillet. Sauté the mixture until the apples are just tender, the onions are fully cooked, and the pecans have begun to toast lightly.
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Combine Mixtures: Remove the skillet from heat and pour the sautéed mixture into the bowl with the cornbread stuffing mix. Toss everything together until well combined.
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Prepare the Broth: In a separate saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the vegetarian chicken-flavored broth mix or bouillon cubes, stirring until fully dissolved.
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Moisten the Stuffing: Gradually pour about half of the broth into the stuffing mixture, stirring as you go to ensure even distribution. Continue adding more broth until the stuffing reaches your desired moisture level. Be cautious not to make it too mushy; you want it to hold together well but not be dry.
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Season to Taste: Taste the stuffing and adjust the seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs according to your preference.
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Transfer to Baking Dish: Carefully dump the entire bowl of stuffing into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly to ensure even baking.
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Refrigerate if Necessary: If you’re preparing this stuffing ahead of time, you can cover it and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
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Bake the Stuffing: Place the stuffing in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, or until it is heated through and has developed a slightly crispy top.
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Keep Warm: If you need to keep the stuffing warm after baking, cover it with a pan lid or aluminum foil until serving.
Notes
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Bell’s Seasoning: This is a classic seasoning blend often used in stuffing recipes, consisting primarily of rosemary, oregano, sage, ginger, marjoram, thyme, and pepper. If you cannot find it, feel free to mix your own version, emphasizing sage for that classic flavor.
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Bread Mixture: For the stuffing mix, choose plain cornbread crumbs or dried cubes—avoid the pre-seasoned stovetop mixes. Alternatively, you can use a combination of cubed fresh bread and crumbled cornbread. Just keep in mind that if using fresh bread, you may need less broth and might want to enhance the seasonings.
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Soy Sausage Patties: The vegetarian sausage patties are optional; leaving them out will still yield a fantastic stuffing that is rich in flavor.
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Broth Mix: I recommend using kosher vegetarian broth mixes, which are available in jars at many supermarkets. They often come in various flavors like chicken, beef, and mushroom, providing a depth of flavor that enhances vegetarian dishes.
Enjoy creating this heartwarming Vegetarian Sausage Apple Stuffing, perfect for your holiday table or any family gathering, and feel free to customize it to your tastes!
