Sausage and Apple Stuffing is the ultimate combination of savory and sweet, bringing warmth, texture, and bold flavor to any holiday table. This dish goes beyond the traditional bread stuffing by adding the richness of sausage and the subtle sweetness of apples. It’s hearty, comforting, and absolutely packed with flavor, perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy fall or winter meal.
What makes this stuffing so special is the contrast in textures and flavors. The savory sausage brings a rich, meaty depth while the apples offer bursts of sweetness that brighten every bite. Combined with cubes of toasted bread, sautéed onions, celery, and aromatic herbs like sage and thyme, it creates a well-balanced dish that feels both familiar and elevated.
This stuffing is more than just a side dish. It often becomes a favorite part of the meal, with guests going back for seconds or even thirds. The sausage adds heartiness, making it feel substantial enough to enjoy on its own, while the apples keep it from feeling too heavy. It’s that perfect bite where comfort food meets a little something special.
Beyond the holiday table, Sausage and Apple Stuffing is a fantastic side for any roasted meat, from chicken to pork to turkey. It pairs wonderfully with gravy, cranberry sauce, or roasted vegetables, rounding out the meal with warmth and satisfying flavors. Some even enjoy the leftovers for breakfast the next day, crisped up in a skillet with a fried egg on top.
It’s also a highly customizable dish. Use sweet or spicy sausage depending on your preference, choose tart apples like Granny Smith for more contrast, or add extras like toasted nuts, dried cranberries, or mushrooms for even more depth. The foundation is sturdy but flexible, allowing you to make it your own.
Whether served at a big holiday feast or as part of a comforting Sunday dinner, Sausage and Apple Stuffing is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug. It’s the perfect balance of flavors that celebrates the best of the season, savory, sweet, and completely satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb sausage bulk, mild or hot
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 2 cups apples peeled and chopped
- 12 cups bread cubes dried
- 1 tsp sage dried
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped fresh
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned, crumbling it as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add the celery and onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped apples and cook for another 3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes, sausage mixture, sage, thyme, and parsley.
- Pour the chicken broth and melted butter over the stuffing mixture, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the stuffing to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
It’s ok I guess. Mine turned out a little dry, not sure if I did something wrong?? Too much bread maybe?
Wasn’t really impressed, too many apples for my taste. I prefer a more savory stuffing.
I actually love the sweetness the apples bring! Maybe try using less apples or a different fruit next time? 😊
I thought this would be better than my mom’s recipe. But it wasn’t. Sry, just being honest!
Don’t worry, everyone has different tastes! Maybe try adjusting the ingredients next time?
Your mom’s must be really great then! Sometimes recipes just don’t compare. Did you try adding more spices?
Very delicious! Made it with leftover sausage and it was a hit! Will make again for sure. 😍
This stuffing is soooo good! I made it for Thanksgiving, and everyone went crazy over it. Very easy to follow the recipe. 5 stars!
Looks good, but what if I don’t like sausage? Could you use chicken instead? Wonder if it would taste the same…
I tried this stuffing too! It was amazing at our Thanksgiving too. Everyone loved it! I used different apples tho, still turned out great!
Very easy to follow, but I feel like it needs something more. Maybe some garlic or something spicy?
Delicious! Used chicken sausage instead. Turned out great!
Honestly, I was skeptical about the apples in stuffing. But it turned out pretty tasty! Just not sure if I would do the apples again.
This is bomb! Gonna make it for Christmas too! High five!
Christmas? Really? Isn’t that a bit much? 🤔
Sounds delicious! I might try adding some nuts for crunch! 👍
Y’all call this stuffing? I prefer mine with just bread and seasonings. This is too fancy for my taste. 2/5
This stuffing is just delicious! I tried it for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it.
Why do people put apples in stuffing? Isn’t that a dessert thing? Didn’t taste right to me.
OMG, I can’t believe how good this was. The flavor combo is like a hug for your mouth! Will make again!
I totally agree! This recipe is amazing! It’s like a party in your mouth. Can’t wait to make it again too!