Italian Sausage Stuffing is a rich and savory holiday side dish made with seasoned Italian sausage, toasted bread cubes, sautéed onions and celery, and fresh herbs baked until golden and perfectly crisp on top. This classic stuffing recipe is full of bold flavor and the perfect balance of soft and crispy textures, making it a must-have for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any comfort food meal.
If you’re building a full holiday spread, this stuffing pairs perfectly with Cajun Smoked Turkey, Classic Southern Meatloaf, or Smoked Pulled Pork. Add a side of Creamy Southern Mashed Potatoes or Southern Style Green Beans, and you’ve got a complete comfort food plate.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Italian sausage stuffing is packed with flavor from the combination of seasoned sausage, fresh herbs, and buttery toasted bread. The inside stays soft and moist while the top bakes into a perfectly crispy layer. It’s easy to make ahead, feeds a crowd, and works just as well for holidays as it does for weeknight comfort food dinners.
Ingredients
Bread: Fresh rosemary bread works best for added flavor and texture. Drying it out helps it absorb all the flavors without becoming mushy.
Vegetables: Onion and celery give the stuffing classic flavor and texture.
Meat: Spicy Italian sausage adds bold flavor, but you can use sweet Italian sausage if preferred.
Herbs & Seasoning: Fresh sage, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper bring everything together.
Liquids: Butter, chicken stock, and egg help bind the stuffing and keep it moist.
See the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and instructions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Dry the Bread
Preheat your oven to 275°F. Cube the bread into 1-inch pieces and spread them evenly on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 45–60 minutes, or until the bread is fully dried but not browned. Remove and let cool.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it up into small pieces.
Cook until browned and fully cooked through, then set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and celery and sauté until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Step 4: Mix the Stuffing
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, herbs, and beaten egg.
Slowly pour in the chicken stock while mixing until everything is evenly combined and moist, but not soggy.
Step 5: Dish the Stuffing
Preheat the oven to 350°F and butter a 9x13 baking dish.
Transfer the stuffing mixture into the dish and press it down evenly.
Step 6: Bake the Stuffing
Bake for about 60–75 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
Expert Tips
- If you'd like an even crispier top, which I highly recommend, you can turn the broiler on for about 2-3 minutes but watch closely to ensure it doesn't burn.
- If you don't have time to make Homemade Ground Italian Sausage, I recommend buying links from the store and removing the Sausage from their casings. It will become finer ground meat that helps texturally.
- By using fresh homemade rosemary bread and drying it yourself, you add a better flavor without any additives and keep a little extra moisture in the stuffing.
- Try serving this with an easy brown gravy. The two pair perfectly, especially with mashed potatoes and smoked turkey.
- If you prefer less spice, use sweet Italian sausage instead.
How to Store Italian Sausage Stuffing
Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat Italian Sausage Stuffing
Reheat in the oven at 300°F, covered with foil, until warmed through. Add a splash of chicken stock if needed to keep it moist.
You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Can You Freeze Stuffing
Yes. Let the stuffing cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until heated through.
What to Serve With Italian Sausage Stuffing
Italian sausage stuffing pairs perfectly with classic holiday and comfort food main dishes. Serve it alongside Cajun Smoked Turkey, Smoked Turkey Breast, Classic Southern Meatloaf, or Smoked Pulled Pork for a hearty meal.
To round out your plate, add sides like Creamy Southern Mashed Potatoes, Southern Style Green Beans, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, or Squash Casserole. Don’t forget Buttermilk Biscuits or Brown Gravy to bring everything together.
This stuffing also fits perfectly into holiday spreads with dishes like roasted turkey, baked ham, or even chicken fried steak for a comfort food twist.
You can browse all of my Side Dish Recipes or visit the All Recipes page to build a complete meal.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Assemble the stuffing, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
A sturdy bread, like rosemary bread or French bread, works best.
Yes, but fresh bread gives better flavor and texture.
Add chicken stock gradually and don’t overmix.
Absolutely. Use sweet or mild sausage if you prefer less heat.
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📖 Recipe
Italian Sausage Stuffing
Ingredients
- 8 Cups Fresh Rosemary Bread - cubed
- 1 Stick Salted Butter
- 1 Large Yellow Onion - diced
- 4 Celery Sticks - chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Minced Garlic
- 1 Lb Spicy Italian Sausage
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Sage - chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Egg - beaten
- 2 ¼ Cups Chicken Stock
Instructions
- Begin by drying out your fresh bread. Preheat the oven to 275°f, cube the bread into about 1 inch pieces, and spread them evenly on a baking sheet.
- Once the oven has come to temperature, place the baking sheet in the oven and allow the bread cubes to dry out. This will take about an hour, but I recommend checking around the 45-minute mark.
- Once completely dried, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bread cubes to cool.
- While the bread crumbs are cooling, begin browning your Italian Sausage in a large skillet. I prefer cast iron, but any non stick will do. Be sure to break it up into a fine ground meat texture. Set the meat aside in a separate bowl.
- Now, in the same skillet on medium heat, melt the butter, and add onions and celery to sauté until softened and aromatic.
- Add the fresh minced garlic and continue to sauté for about another 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic also becomes fragrant.
- Once the bread is completely cooled, add the cubes to a large mixing bowl. Top with the sautéd vegetables, cooked Italian sausage, herbs and spices, and beaten egg. Then, pour about half of the chicken stock over the mixture.
- Begin stirring to combine everything, and add the remaining chicken stock as you stir.
- Next, preheat the oven to 350°f and butter the entire inside of a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Pour all the Italian Sausage Stuffing mixture into the baking dish, pressing it down with a spatula or spoon to even it out in the dish.
- Bake for about an hour and fifteen minutes, or until it has completely browned on top.
- If you'd like an even crispier top, which I highly recommend, you can turn the broiler on for about 2-3 minutes, but watch closely to ensure it doesn't burn.
Video
Notes
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- Use day-old or dried bread to prevent soggy stuffing.
- Don’t over-saturate the mixture — add stock gradually.
- Shred sausage finely for better texture throughout.
- Broil at the end for a crispy top layer.
- Make it ahead of time and bake just before serving.
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