Sausage Mushroom Stuffing
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My Sausage mushroom stuffing is a classic, hearty, savory side dish that will be perfect for your holiday table this year!
The base of a good stuffing recipe is cubed, slightly stale bread that acts as a sponge for all the flavorful ingredients. My stuffing melds the rich, meaty flavors of sausage with the earthy notes of mushrooms and has been a family favorite on Thanksgiving for several years.
My cornbread and sausage stuffing is another well-loved savory side that everyone goes crazy over! My make-ahead sweet potato casserole and roasted brussels & butternut squash are also great side dish options!
Either stuffing recipe you choose, it’s a dish that brings warmth, comfort, and a symphony of flavors to any festive table.
About this recipe
- In this recipe, we’re using hot Italian sausage (but you can use mild too) and it’s browned until crumbly and cooked through.
- We’re using a variety of mushrooms and they get sautéed until tender and slightly caramelized.
- A mirepoix of onions and celery is cooked down to add depth and sweetness to the mixture and my secret ingredient is brandy.
- The touch of brandy enhances the flavor profile and brings a bit of warmth and depth to the dish.
- The melody of fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme elevate the dish and create an inviting fragrance that’s unmistakably associated with Thanksgiving.
- Once all the components are perfectly cooked, they’re combined with the bread cubes and moistened with a mixture of chicken or vegetable broth, ensuring the stuffing is moist but not soggy.
Advantages of letting stuffing sit overnight
- Flavor Infusion: Giving the ingredients time to meld together can deepen and enhance the overall flavor profile of the stuffing. The herbs, spices, and other flavor components become more intertwined, leading to overall better flavors.
- Bread Absorption: letting it sit overnight can allow the bread to fully absorb the flavors and moisture from the other components. This helps ensure that the stuffing bakes uniformly and that the bread doesn’t remain too dry or become overly soggy.
- Improved Texture: Allowing the stuffing to rest can lead to a more consistent texture throughout. The moisture distributes more evenly, so when it’s baked, you get a nice balance of crispy and tender bits.
- Ease of Preparation: Preparing stuffing the night before can be a strategic move for a busy Thanksgiving Day schedule. It means one less dish to worry about on the big day itself. On Thanksgiving Day, you simply need to bake it.
- Remember, when letting your stuffing sit overnight, always store it in the refrigerator to ensure it remains safe to eat. Before baking, check the moisture level. If it seems too dry, you can always add a bit more broth or stock; if too wet, add more bread or cook it uncovered for part of the baking time to let some of the moisture evaporate.
What is the best bread to use for Thanksgiving stuffing?
- White bread: white bread is usually my #1 pick. Simple, delicious white sandwich bread gives stuffing a wonderful texture and flavor. It has a fluffy texture, it absorbs the flavors in this stuffings so well and it has a crispiness on the outside, but a gooey inside texture.
- Challah or Brioche: These slightly sweet, egg-rich breads can give the stuffing a richer flavor and softer texture.
- Sourdough: With its tangy undertones, sourdough can add a distinct and rich flavor to stuffing. It’s hearty and holds up well to moisture.
Expert Tips
- Bread Choices: Opt for high-quality breads. Mix two types – for instance, a crusty sourdough and a softer white bread – to achieve an interesting texture combination. Ensure the bread is stale or toasted to absorb the flavors without becoming soggy and make sure to cut them uniformly sized for even cooking and consistency in every bite.
- Depth with Stock: Use homemade stock if you have it. It offers a deeper flavor than store-bought versions. The stock should be reduced (simmered to evaporate some of the water) to concentrate the flavor.
- Caramelized Vegetables: Rather than just sautéing your onions and celery, cook them until they’re caramelized. This deepens their flavor and adds a subtle sweetness.
- Layer Flavors: Don’t skip out on the brandy! It adds depth. You can also use a splash of white wine or even apple cider vinegar.
- Texture Varieties: Introduce a mix of textures. Consider ingredients like roasted chestnuts or crunchy toasted pecans/
- Dried Fruit: If you’re adding dried fruits like cranberries, apricots, or raisins, consider plumping them up first by soaking in hot water or a flavorful liquid like brandy or apple cider. This makes them juicier and more flavorful.
- Baking Technique: For a crispy top, dot the stuffing with butter before baking.
Variations
- Add dried cranberries or dried cherries for a sweet contrast of flavors.
- Mix in wild rice or quinoa for added texture and nuttiness.
- Instead of sausage use chorizo or andouille to add some heat.
Storage
- Refrigeration:
- Short-Term: Transfer the cooled stuffing to an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to serve, reheat the stuffing in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it’s warmed through and has an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). You can also microwave it, but the texture may be a bit softer. If the stuffing seems dry, you can add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth before reheating.
- Freezing:
- If you want to store the stuffing for longer periods, freezing is a good option. Pack the cooled stuffing in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. For added protection, you can double-bag or use a vacuum sealer.
- Storage Time: Properly stored, sausage and mushroom stuffing can be frozen for up to a month for the best quality. While it will still be safe to eat after this time, the flavor and texture might degrade.
- Thawing and Reheating: Thaw the stuffing overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, reheat it in the oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Sausage Mushroom Stuffing
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided (divided)
- 2 cups chopped celery (about 6 stalks)
- 1 large onion, diced (yellow, white or red)
- 1 cup white mushrooms, sliced (about 4 oz.)
- 1 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced (about 4 oz.)
- 1 pound hot Italian sausage, ground (or mild if preferred)
- 1 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 3 Tbsp. brandy
- 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound (8 oz.) loaf country white bread with crust (day old or oven dried, see notes) (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Note: You need to prep this dish and let it sit covered in the fridge overnight – or up to 6 hours. This is a crucial step to ensure all flavors soak into the bread.
- Brush a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Set aside.4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the celery and onions; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté until vegetables are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Scrape into very large bowl.2 cups chopped celery (about 6 stalks), 1 large onion, diced (yellow, white or red)
- Add 1 Tbsp. oil to same skillet. Add mushrooms; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté until mushrooms brown and liquid evaporates, about 4-5 minutes. Scrape mushrooms into bowl with celery.1 cup white mushrooms, sliced (about 4 oz.), 1 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced (about 4 oz.)
- Add remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and sausage to same skillet. Sauté until brown and cooked through, about 8 minutes; add to bowl with vegetables.1 pound hot Italian sausage, ground (or mild if preferred)
- Add the broth and brandy to the same skillet. Bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits.1 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth), 3 Tbsp. brandy, 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped, 1 Tbsp. fresh sage, chopped, 1 Tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped, salt and pepper to taste
- Pour broth mixture into same bowl. Add in the herbs, salt, and pepper and combine. Then mix in the bread.1 pound (8 oz.) loaf country white bread with crust (day old or oven dried, see notes)
- Spoon stuffing into prepared dish. Let cool for a bit if still warm before covering with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375°F. Remove plastic wrap; cover stuffing with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until top begins to brown, about 25 minutes longer. Or if you don't have time to wait 25 minutes, broil and watch carefully so tops don't brown. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can toast the bread cubes if you don’t have dry, day old bread lying around or forgot to get it out. To toast, cut into cubes and spread bread out between 2 baking sheets. Toast in the oven at 300°F for 20-30 minute, or until toasted and dried. Dried-out or toasted bread makes the best stuffing. If using fresh bread your stuffing may have a soggy texture.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Does this have to be a Thanksgiving only recipe? Because it’s so good I’m going to be enjoying it all winter long ๐
haha – love it!! Thank you – be sure to tag @krolls_korner so I can see your creation! xo
Sausage, mushrooms, AND sage? That’s my kind of stuffing! ๐
Thank you Erica!! Flavor BOMB!
oh yum! I try not to be in a “food rut” but this recipe made me realize I have been. I always use yellow onions in stuffing. always. why? I have no idea! The red onions look amazing and I think they will be so delish in this recipe.
Thank you so much Lisa – I am glad this recipe gave you some inspo! ๐ Happy Thanksgiving!
The very best part of Thanksgiving: stuffing! And this one is amazing!
Aw, thank you! It’s a family favorite – I am glad yours loved it too!
What a classic recipe. I love it!
Thank you so much Liz!
The mushrooms are perfect in this stuffing! Know one even knew there were mushrooms in this!
Awesome!! I’m so glad everyone loved it! Thank you!!
Love this mushroom sausage combo in the stuffing, new favorite!
So glad you liked it Lindsey! Thank you!
My husband loves mushrooms- need to make this for him!! I love using hot sausage in recipes like this!!
He will love this dish!! Let me know what he thinks! ๐ Thank you!
This combo looks amazing and so comforting!
Thank you – fav stuffing everrrr!!!
I LOVE mushrooms! This dish looks insanely flavorful and a perfect addition to a holiday festivity!
Thank you so much Mary! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!