If you’re looking for the ultimate stuffing to bring to your holiday table, this sausage stuffing recipe is a perfect choice! Packed with flavor from mild Italian sausage, tender vegetables, and a blend of seasoned and cornbread stuffing mixes, it’s hearty, savory, and comforting. This stuffing pairs wonderfully with roast turkey, but it’s also delicious enough to enjoy on its own.

Sausage Stuffing Recipe

What makes this sausage stuffing truly special is the mix of textures and flavors. The sausage adds a rich, savory depth, while the cornbread stuffing mix brings just a hint of sweetness and a great, crumbly texture. Together with the celery and onions sautéed in butter, it’s a flavorful combination that’s hard to resist. Plus, the whole dish is easy to prepare, making it a fantastic addition to your holiday menu without adding too much extra prep work.

Ready in under an hour, this sausage stuffing is also perfect for making ahead. You can assemble it the day before, refrigerate it, and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to bake. So if you’re looking for a stress-free and crowd-pleasing dish that will complete your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, this recipe has you covered. Let’s dive into the simple steps that will have you serving up a delicious, aromatic stuffing in no time!

What You Will Love About This Recipe

People are going to love this sausage stuffing for its comforting flavors and satisfying texture—it’s the kind of dish that brings a little extra warmth and coziness to the holiday table! The combination of mild Italian sausage and buttery cornbread stuffing gives each bite a rich, savory taste with a hint of sweetness that complements roast meats perfectly. Plus, the addition of sautéed onions, celery, and fragrant sage really brings out those classic holiday flavors everyone loves.

This recipe is also incredibly easy to make, even for a big family gathering, and it has that homemade appeal that makes it feel like a dish made from scratch with love. And because it’s so versatile, you can prepare it ahead of time, which is a lifesaver during those hectic holiday cooking marathons. Whether you’re making this for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy weekend dinner, this sausage stuffing will be a hit with everyone around the table!

Ingredients:

1 pound mild Italian sausage (ground)
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 ½ cups (3 sticks) butter, divided
1 teaspoon rubbed sage seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 (10-ounce) box of cubed seasoned stuffing mix
1 (6-ounce) box cornbread stuffing mix

How to Make Sausage Stuffing

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
In a large pan, add sausage and cook over medium heat until no longer pink; breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain sausage on paper towels. Set aside.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 stick of butter. Add celery and onion, then sauté in the butter until vegetables soften (about 1-2 minutes).

Add chicken broth and the other two sticks of butter. Heat until butter is completely melted, stirring frequently (if the mixture starts to foam up while butter is melting, lower heat).

Remove from heat and add in rubbed sage seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix well. Pour in both packages of stuffing mix and stir until fully moistened. Add in the cooked sausage and mix until well combined.

Pour the mixture into the greased casserole dish and spread evenly. Cover with tin foil. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Take out of the oven and stir the stuffing to make sure it’s not too moist on the bottom of the dish. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is a bit crispy, then serve hot!

Tips & Tricks

Use Quality Sausage: Opt for a good-quality mild Italian sausage. If you like a bit more spice, you can even go with a hot Italian sausage for added heat, or mix mild and hot for balanced flavor.
Stale Bread is Key: If possible, use stale or day-old cubed stuffing mix—this absorbs the broth and butter much better without turning mushy. If your bread is fresh, spread it on a baking sheet and toast it in a low oven (around 250°F) for 15–20 minutes to dry it out.
Add Herbs to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of sage or add additional herbs like thyme or rosemary to taste. Fresh herbs can add even more aroma if you have them on hand—just double the amount if you’re swapping dried herbs for fresh.
Check Moisture Levels: After baking, give the stuffing a quick stir to make sure it’s not too wet or dry. If it’s on the drier side, add a bit of warm broth and give it a toss. If it’s too moist, bake uncovered a bit longer to get a crispier top.
Make Ahead: This stuffing can be assembled a day ahead and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Just let it come to room temperature before popping it in the oven to ensure even cooking.
Double the Recipe for a Crowd: If you’re feeding a large group, simply double the recipe and bake in two casserole dishes. This stuffing disappears fast, so having extra is always a good idea!

FAQs

Absolutely! While mild Italian sausage is traditional, you can use hot Italian sausage for a kick or even breakfast sausage for a slightly different flavor. Just make sure to cook the sausage thoroughly before adding it to the stuffing.

Yes! You can prepare the stuffing up to a day ahead. Just cover it tightly and store it in the fridge. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes, then bake as directed.

You can use either one by itself or adjust the ratio to suit your preference. If you only have plain bread cubes, season them with additional spices and herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage for extra flavor.

If it’s too dry, stir in a bit of warm broth to moisten it up before serving. If it’s too moist, you can bake it uncovered for a few extra minutes to help it dry out and develop a crispier top.

Yes, stuffing freezes well! Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

Do I have to use 3 sticks of butter?

Yes! You will want to use all 3 sticks of butter. It may sound like a lot, but it gives it such a delicious flavor and consistency that you will love.

Sausage Stuffing

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This sausage stuffing recipe is the perfect side to your Thanksgiving feast this year. It is loaded with so much flavor thanks to the Italian sausage, the butter and sage, that you will find yourself going back for seconds, thirds, and fourths.

Ingredients

1 pound mild Italian sausage (ground)
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 ½ cups (3 sticks) butter, divided
1 teaspoon rubbed sage seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 (10-ounce) box cubed seasoned stuffing mix
1 (6-ounce) box cornbread stuffing mix

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
In a large pan, add sausage and cook over medium heat until no longer pink; breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain sausage on paper towels. Set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 stick of butter. Add celery and onion, then sauté in the butter until vegetables soften (about 1-2 minutes).
Add chicken broth and other two sticks of butter. Heat until butter is completely melted, stirring frequently (if mixture starts to foam up while butter is melting, lower heat).
Remove from heat and add in rubbed sage seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix well. Pour in both packages of stuffing mix and stir until fully moistened. Add in the cooked sausage and mix until well combined.
Pour mixture into the greased casserole dish and spread evenly. Cover with tinfoil. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Take out of the oven and stir stuffing to make sure it’s not too moist on the bottom of the dish. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is a bit crispy, then serve hot!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 268Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 895mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 13g

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Sausage Stuffing Recipe