Cornbread stuffing with sausage and apples is a savory and slightly sweet dish perfect for your holiday table or any special occasion. The tender, crumbly cornbread soaks up the delicious flavors of sautéed sausage, onions, and apples, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Fresh herbs like sage and thyme elevate the dish, while the apples add a fresh, juicy contrast to the richness of the sausage. Whether you’re serving it as a side for Thanksgiving or a Sunday dinner, this hearty stuffing is sure to impress your guests and become a family favorite.
Ingredients:
- 8 cups cornbread, crumbled (preferably day-old)
- 1 pound pork sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (plus more as needed)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it into small pieces until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Add the apples and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Mix the stuffing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread, cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, apples, fresh sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir in the melted butter and chicken broth, adding more broth if the mixture is too dry. The stuffing should be moist but not soggy.
- Bake: Transfer the stuffing mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm alongside your favorite main dish.
Enjoy the perfect combination of sweet apples and savory sausage in this flavorful, comforting cornbread stuffing!
