Imagine a side dish so irresistible that your guests will be talking about it long after the holiday meal is over. This Deluxe Sausage Mushroom Stuffing is not just another boring bread-based side – it's a flavor-packed, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside culinary masterpiece that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience. Packed with savory Italian sausage, earthy mushrooms, and perfectly seasoned bread, this stuffing recipe is about to become your new holiday hero!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 8 cups cubed bread
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until the sausage is fully cooked and no pink remains, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Remove the sausage from the skillet using a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. Add diced onions and celery to the same skillet and sauté until they become soft and translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the onion and celery mixture. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture and become golden brown.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread, cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Gently mix to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Slowly pour chicken broth over the bread mixture, stirring carefully to ensure the bread absorbs the liquid without becoming too soggy. The bread should be moist but not soaking wet.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly and creating a slight mound in the center.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let the stuffing rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to set.
- Serve hot as a delicious side dish, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Tips
- Use day-old bread for the best texture – slightly stale bread absorbs liquid better and prevents a soggy stuffing.
- Don't skip browning the sausage and vegetables – this step builds deep, rich flavor foundations.
- Be careful not to oversaturate the bread mixture with broth. Add liquid gradually and mix gently to maintain the right moisture level.
- For extra crispiness, spread the stuffing in a wider baking dish to increase the surface area that gets golden and crunchy.
- Let the stuffing rest after baking to allow flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly.
- For a gourmet touch, consider adding some fresh herbs like sage or rosemary to complement the thyme.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with additional mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 45mg
