I used to orchestrate grand Thanksgiving dinners, pouring days into preparation and ending up completely worn out by the time my guests walked through the door. Often, I’d find myself barely sipping a glass of wine before fatigue took over, leaving me longing for a moment of rest. Realizing the need for change, I streamlined my menu, focusing on simplifying side dishes and desserts. This led to this standout dish: a savory sausage stuffing that’s just fantastic. Its secret is using ready-made stuffing cubes, eliminating the tedious tasks of slicing and drying bread. And let me assure you, with a generous amount of sausage and plenty of flavor mingling with the rich tastes of gravy and cranberry sauce, the type of bread used fades into the background, making this recipe a real winner in terms of both flavor and convenience!
Step By Step Instructions
If your sausage is in casings, remove it from the casing. Then, in a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil, crumble it in 1 pound (450 grams) of sausage meat, and cook it until browned and completely cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside. Olive Oil: A high-quality extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its fruity flavor. Substitute: any vegetable oil. Butter: Unsalted butter allows for better control over the seasoning. Located in the dairy section. Substitute: margarine. Celery: Fresh, crisp stalks add a nice crunch. Found in the produce section. Onion: A large yellow onion is ideal for its sweet flavor. Sausage Meat: Opt for a high-quality, flavorful sausage, such as Italian or breakfast sausage. Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs such as parsley, sage, or thyme all add a bright, aromatic flavor. Locate in the produce section. Substitute: dried herbs, using one-third of the amount. Bell’s Seasoning (optional): A classic blend that can be found in the spice aisle. Substitute: a mix of thyme, marjoram, and rosemary. Stuffing Cubes or breadcrumbs: Pre-packaged stuffing cubes or stuffing breadcrumbs provide convenience and consistent quality. See the next section for details on using them. Chicken Stock: Use a good-quality stock for more flavor. Locate in the soup aisle. Substitute: vegetable broth. Stuffing cubes, usually made from dried or stale bread, are larger and provide a chunkier texture, excellent for absorbing flavors and moisture without becoming mushy. Breadcrumbs are finer but also made of dried bread. Depending on what’s available where you are, you can use either 6 cups (approximately 840 grams) of stuffing cubes or 4 cup (about 400 grams) of stuffing breadcrumbs for this sausage stuffing. Both options ensure a balanced bread-to-ingredient ratio for optimal moisture absorption and flavor. This recipe will not work with non-dried versions of stuffing breadcrumbs. Drain any excess grease from the pan, and melt 6 tablespoons (84 grams) of butter. Add 3 diced celery stalks and 1 large chopped onion, cooking until soft (about 10 minutes). Stir in a small handful of finely chopped fresh sage, 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of Bell’s seasoning, and ¼ cup (15 grams) of fresh chopped parsley. Add the cooked sausage and 6 cups (approx. 840 grams) of stuffing cubes in a large bowl. Then, top it with the celery mixture. Gradually pour in 2 cups (480 ml) of chicken stock and 1 beaten egg, stirring gently. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Bake the sausage stuffing at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes, with the last 10 minutes uncovered for a crispy top. Erren’s Kitchen is written and produced for informational intentions only. We are not certified nutritionists, and the nutritional information found on this site has not been assessed or authorized by a nutritionist or the FDA. The nutritional information found in our recipes is offered as an estimate and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. The estimated data is provided as a courtesy and calculated through a third-party online nutritional calculator, spoonacular API. Although we do our best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered rough estimates. Many factors, such as brands or products purchased and the nutritional fluctuations that naturally occur in fresh produce, can alter the effectiveness of the nutritional information in any recipe. Furthermore, various online calculators provide different results depending on their particular algorithms and nutrition fact sources. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
