There are lots of ways to make a great stuffing for the holidays and this one uses hot Italian sausage and granny smith apples to kick things up a notch. The combination of the softened tart apples and spicy crumbled sausage was so delicious! Instead of leaving the bread out over night or using a toaster the bread cubes are baked in the oven until brown and slightly crispy. Everything is combined in a bowl and then baked in the oven once more. So easy and a great side dish for the holidays!
Italian Sausage and Apple Stuffing
(Makes 9 servings)
Printable Version
Ingredients:
-
1 loaf wheat bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
-
2 yellow onions, chopped
-
2 stalks celery, diced
-
2 Granny Smith apples, diced and cored
-
2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
-
salt and pepper to taste
-
4 spicy Italian sausages (about 3/4 lb), casings removed
-
1 cup chicken stock, or more depending on desired consistency
Directions:
-
In a preheated 325F oven, place the bread cubes on flat pans and bake until brown and crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and pour into a large mixing bowl. -
Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, melt the butter and add the onions, celery, apples, parsley, salt and pepper.
-
Saute over medium heat until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.
- Pour the onion and veggie mixture into the bowl with the bread cubes. Set aside.
-
In the same saute pan, cook the sausage over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Crumble the sausage with a fork as it cooks. Mix into the onions and bread cubes.
-
Add the chicken stock to the mixture, mixing with your hands until well incorporated.
-
Pour into a 9 by 12-inch baking dish. Raise the oven temperature to 350F and bake for 30 minutes, until browned on top.