If you’re anything like me, you know that stuffing can make or break a holiday meal (or any comforting dinner, really). That’s why I’m so excited to share this Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe with you — it’s hearty, full of flavor, and surprisingly simple to pull together. Plus, it has that perfect combo of savory sausage and fragrant herbs that turns ordinary bread cubes into something truly special. Stick around, because I promise this recipe will become an instant classic on your table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Prep: Using store-bought unseasoned stuffing cubes saves you hours without sacrificing flavor.
- Savory Sausage Boost: The bulk sweet Italian sausage adds a rich, meaty depth that makes every bite unforgettable.
- Fresh Herb Magic: Rosemary, sage, and parsley brighten the stuffing and bring that classic holiday aroma to your kitchen.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it in advance and freeze leftovers, so you’re never stuck on a busy day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients here work beautifully together to build flavors that taste like they took hours to prepare. The great news? Most of these are easy to find in your local grocery store, and a few fresh herbs make all the difference.
- Unseasoned stuffing cubes: These are the base — I like to pick the rustic or artisan kind for a better texture.
- Unsalted butter: Gives just the right richness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed to soft perfection.
- Celery: For that classic crunch and freshness stuffed in every bite.
- Garlic cloves: Finely chopped so they mingle well without overpowering the herbs.
- Bulk sweet Italian sausage: The star protein—look for the bulk kind or remove casings from links yourself.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Moistens the bread cubes just right, while keeping saltiness balanced.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together for the perfect consistency.
- Fresh rosemary, sage, and parsley: The holy trio of stuffing herbs that elevate flavor to a whole new level.
- Salt and black pepper: To season carefully and bring out all the incredible layers.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your own taste or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment—this recipe gives you a fantastic foundation.
- Switch up the sausage: I’ve made it with spicy Italian sausage for a little heat—my family goes crazy for that kick!
- Make it vegetarian: Swap sausage for sautéed mushrooms or lentils; just add extra herbs and broth to keep it moist.
- Seasonal herbs: Try adding thyme or marjoram if you want a slightly different herb profile—it’s delicious either way.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free stuffing cubes, which are increasingly easy to find or make your own with gluten-free bread.
How to Make Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Sauté Veggies
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F, and give your baking dish a gentle coat of butter so the stuffing doesn’t stick. Now, melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add your diced onions and celery, stirring every so often for about 8 minutes until everything turns soft and sweet-smelling. Next, toss in the garlic and cook just 2 more minutes—watch closely here because garlic can burn fast, and burnt garlic will throw off your whole dish! Once done, dump these veggies straight into your big mixing bowl with the stuffing cubes. And don’t rinse your pan just yet—you want to keep that browned goodness for the sausage step.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage Just Right
Using the same pan, crank your heat to medium and add the bulk sausage. Stir and break it up with a metal spatula, making sure your biggest chunks are no larger than about ¼ inch. This helps the stuffing cook evenly and have a nice texture. It should take around 8 to 10 minutes until the sausage is nicely browned and cooked through. Then, scoop both the sausage and all the tasty fat left in the pan right into your bowl with the bread and veggies — trust me, that flavor is gold!
Step 3: Mix It Up and Bake
Time to bring it all together. Add the chicken broth, beaten egg, fresh rosemary, sage, parsley, salt, and pepper to your bowl. Now mix everything gently but thoroughly — you want the bread cubes to soak up the broth but not get mushy. Transfer your stuffing mixture to the buttered baking dish and pop it in the oven, uncovered, for about 65 to 75 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is a deep golden brown and pleasantly crisp.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe
- Don’t skip the fresh herbs: I used to use dried until I realized how much brightness fresh rosemary and sage add — totally worth the tiny extra effort.
- Brown sausage thoroughly: Breaking it into small pieces ensures you get flavorful pockets throughout rather than big chunks.
- Moisture check: If your bread cubes seem dry before baking, splash in a little extra broth to keep the texture perfect.
- Avoid soggy stuffing: Baking uncovered helps the top get that crispy, golden crunch everyone loves.
How to Serve Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish off the stuffing with a sprinkle of extra chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes, a little drizzle of melted butter on top right before serving takes it over the top. It’s those little things that make your guests ask for seconds!
Side Dishes
This stuffing pairs beautifully with classic roast turkey or chicken, but I’ve also served it alongside roasted root vegetables, honey-glazed carrots, or even a crisp green salad for balance. Mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce are obvious favorites around here, and they never disappoint.
Creative Ways to Present
For big family dinners, I love to bake the stuffing in individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets—everyone gets a personal crispy top, which feels extra special. It’s also beautiful served in a hollowed-out pumpkin or squash for fall gatherings. Trust me, your guests will be impressed before they even take a bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover stuffing is just as delicious the next day! I store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready, it’s great to reheat gently to keep that crispness from turning soggy.
Freezing
I often freeze leftover stuffing after baking—it freezes well for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. When you want it back on the table, thaw it in the fridge 24 hours ahead of time and reheat slowly for best results.
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat stuffing is to cover it with foil and warm it in a 325°F oven until it’s heated through. If you want to bring back some crispiness, remove the foil in the last 10 minutes to let the top brown again. Microwave reheating tends to make it soggy, so I avoid that whenever possible.
FAQs
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Can I make the stuffing ahead of time?
Absolutely. This Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe can be fully assembled up to a day before baking. Just cover and refrigerate it, then bake it as directed when you’re ready. This saves a lot of last-minute stress!
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What if I can’t find bulk sausage?
No worries! You can buy regular sausage links and simply remove the casings before cooking them. This lets you break up the sausage evenly like bulk sausage for the recipe.
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Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
You can, but fresh herbs really shine in this recipe. If you use dried, reduce the amount to about a third of the fresh quantity to avoid overpowering the dish. I highly recommend fresh if you can get it.
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Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
If you swap the store-bought stuffing cubes for gluten-free bread cubes, this recipe can be adapted to be gluten-free. Just double-check all your seasonings and broth are gluten-free too.
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How can I ensure my stuffing isn’t soggy?
Make sure to use the right amount of chicken broth so the bread is moist but not soaked. Baking uncovered also helps create a crispy top. If your bread cubes seem too dry before mixing, add broth a little at a time until perfectly moistened.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe bridges the gap between convenience and from-scratch flavor. When I first tried it, I was amazed how approachable it was, yet everyone at the table asked for seconds (and then thirds). It’s that perfect balance of comfort and brightness—in other words, stuffing done right. I can’t wait for you to make it and share it with your family or friends. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’s going to be your go-to for every festive occasion and cozy dinner alike.
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Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing is a rich and savory holiday classic featuring hearty sweet Italian sausage, aromatics like onion, celery, and garlic, fresh herbs, and store-bought stuffing cubes. It’s straightforward to prepare, bake to a golden crisp, and perfect for making ahead of time to save stress on the big day.
Ingredients
Stuffing Base
- 8 cups (400g) store-bought unseasoned stuffing cubes
Sautéed Vegetables
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
- 1½ cups diced yellow onion (from 1 large onion)
- 1 cup diced celery (from 3 celery stalks)
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Sausage & Seasonings
- 1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 2¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
- ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
- Combine Stuffing Cubes: Place the stuffing cubes into a large mixing bowl to prepare for the incorporation of cooked ingredients.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add diced onions and celery, cooking and stirring occasionally for about 8 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer these vegetables to the bowl with stuffing cubes, scraping the pan well to capture all flavorful bits.
- Cook Sausage: Using the same pan, cook the bulk sweet Italian sausage over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Break up the sausage into pieces no bigger than ¼ inch as it cooks. Add the cooked sausage and rendered fat to the bread cubes and vegetables.
- Mix Stuffing Ingredients: Add chicken broth, beaten egg, rosemary, sage, parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix thoroughly to moisten the bread cubes evenly, ensuring the stuffing becomes soft and flavorful.
- Bake Stuffing: Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake uncovered for 65-75 minutes until the top is deeply golden and crisp.
- Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips: This stuffing can be assembled up to one day in advance and refrigerated. When ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed. After baking, it can be frozen tightly covered for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours and reheat covered with foil at 325°F until heated through.
Notes
- This rich and savory stuffing recipe is perfect for the holidays and features hearty sausage and fragrant fresh herbs.
- You can use bulk sausage for convenience; if unavailable, remove casings from regular sausage before using.
- Make the stuffing ahead of time to ease holiday meal prep.
- Store in the refrigerator before baking or freeze after baking for convenient reheating later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/9th of recipe)
- Calories: 467
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Sodium: 1063 mg
- Fat: 28 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
- Fiber: 6 grams
- Protein: 15 grams
- Cholesterol: 57 mg