All About the Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake
Remember those cozy autumn days? The smell of a delicious meal in the kitchen? There’s something special about food that brings people together. Today, we’re talking about a comforting and tasty Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake. It’s more than just a side dish; it’s a main event. Forget dry stuffings – this bake is juicy, savory, and has exciting textures.
Why Make This Recipe
This Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake is a great dish. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Easy and Elegant: It tastes fancy but is simple to make. It’s good for both everyday meals and special times.
- Great Flavors: Sweet and tart apples mix well with savory sausage. This makes a balanced and satisfying taste.
- Nice Texture: It has crispy edges and a soft, moist inside. Every bite is a treat.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare this bake before a big get-together. This gives you more time with your guests.
- Change It Up: You can easily change this recipe to fit what you like or what you have.
How to Make Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake
Making this Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake is straightforward. Just follow these steps for a tasty dish.
Ingredients of Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake
- Bread: 8 cups cubed day-old sourdough or white bread (about 1 pound)
- Sausage: 1 pound mild ground turkey sausage
- Apples: 2 medium firm apples (like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), diced
- Aromatics: 1 large onion, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Broth: 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Eggs: 2 large eggs
- Herbs: 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped; 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- Butter: 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Seasonings: 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Enhancements:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons water (for replacing alcohol kick)
Directions of Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake
- Prepare the Bread: Cube the bread. Spread it on a baking sheet. Toast in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until lightly golden and dry. This stops the stuffing from being soggy.
- Chop and Dice: Dice the onions, celery, and apples. Mince the garlic and chop the fresh herbs.
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey sausage. Break it up as it cooks. Drain any extra fat.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Sauté the diced onions and celery until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Combine Ingredients: In a big mixing bowl, put the toasted bread cubes, cooked sausage, sautéed onions and celery, diced apples, and chopped fresh herbs. If using, add dried cranberries/cherries and pecans/walnuts.
- Whisk Liquid Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the broth, eggs, salt, and black pepper. If using, mix in the 2 tablespoons of water here.
- Moisten the Stuffing: Pour the liquid mixture over the bread mixture. Gently toss everything until it is well mixed and moist.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 30 minutes, covered with foil. Then, uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the inside reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Let the Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors blend.
How to Serve Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake
This Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake is great on its own. It also goes well with:
- Roasted turkey or chicken.
- Glazed ham.
- A hearty side for ground turkey.
- A simple green salad with vinaigrette.
- A dollop of cranberry sauce.
How to Store Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the bake a day before. Cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge. If it looks dry before baking, add a little more broth.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warm. Cover with foil to stop it from drying out. Add a little extra broth if needed.
Tips to Make Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake
- Toast the Bread: Always toast the bread. This is important for not having soggy stuffing.
- Don’t Over-mix: Gently fold the ingredients. This keeps good texture.
- Check Moisture: The amount of broth can change based on your bread. Add broth slowly until it’s moist but not soaked.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste the mixture before baking. Add more salt or pepper if needed.
- Crispy Top: For a very crispy top, bake uncovered for the last 15-20 minutes. You can also brush it with a little melted butter.
Variation
- Vegetarian Option: Leave out the ground turkey sausage. Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or vegetarian sausage instead.
- More Herbs: Try different herbs like marjoram or chives.
- Cheesy Option: Mix in some shredded Gruyere or sharp cheddar cheese for extra richness.
- Spicy Option: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use spicy sausage for a little heat.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free bread for this delicious bake.
FAQs
- Can I use any type of bread for this Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake?
- While you can use different breads, day-old, crusty bread like sourdough or artisan white works best. Softer sandwich bread can become too mushy.
- What’s the best way to prevent my Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake from being dry?
- The key is to properly moisten the bread with the broth and egg mixture, but do not drench it. Also, cover the dish with foil for the first part of baking to hold in moisture. Check for doneness earlier in the baking time. If it seems dry, add a splash more broth.
- Can I make this Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake ahead of time?
- Yes, you can! Assemble the whole Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake a day before. Cover it tightly and put it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, you might need to add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
Classic Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake
This savory and sweet stuffing bake features a delightful combination of cubed sourdough or white bread, ground turkey sausage, crisp apples, and aromatic herbs. It's baked to golden perfection, offering a comforting side dish perfect for any festive meal.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Oven
- Large skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Separate bowl
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 cups sourdough or white bread cubed day-old (about 1 pound)
- 1 pound ground turkey sausage mild
- 2 medium firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, diced
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Enhancements
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Cube the day-old bread and spread it on a baking sheet; toast in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until lightly golden and dry.
- Dice the onions, celery, and apples, then mince the garlic and chop the fresh herbs.
- Brown the ground turkey sausage in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks, then drain any excess fat.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté diced onions and celery for 5-7 minutes until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Combine the toasted bread, cooked sausage, sautéed aromatics, diced apples, and chopped fresh herbs in a large mixing bowl, adding optional cranberries/cherries and pecans/walnuts if desired.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the broth, eggs, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Pour the whisked liquid over the bread mixture and gently toss everything until it is thoroughly moistened.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
Baking & Serving
- Bake the stuffing in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven, covered with foil for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Allow the Apple & Sausage Stuffing Bake to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best flavor, prepare the stuffing mixture a few hours ahead or even the night before, and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking for more even cooking.