This post contains affiliate links.
Perfect Sausage Cranberry Pecan Stuffing made with italian sausage, celery, cranberries, onions and pecans.
I'm a little bit obsessed with Thanksgiving. All week long I'll be sharing some of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes! Did you see my Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans from yesterday? Or the roundup of Make-Ahead Thanksgiving recipes from Monday?
Did you catch my error in the title of this post? Well, if you know the difference between “dressing” and “stuffing”, you'd probably notice I should have called this recipe Sausage Cranberry Pecan Dressing, rather than Sausage Cranberry Pecan Stuffing. The difference between “stuffing” and “dressing” is that the first is stuffed inside the turkey to cook, where the second is baked separately.
I'm not a big fan of “stuffing” my Turkey, for a few reasons.
1. In order to comply with safe food handling, the stuffing and bird need to reach a temp about 165 degrees F. By the time your stuffing (stuffed inside the bird) reaches that temp it's probably over cooked. Which leads to my second point.
2. I just think it tastes a lot better and fresher cooked separately.
Even though this recipe is technically a Thanksgiving “dressing” recipe we always called it stuffing. It's more common by the name isn't it? I guess it depends on where you grew up.
In my experience, people really either LOVE stuffing, or HATE it. I'm obviously in the lovers category. Me and Thanksgiving stuffing go way back. It's the first thing on my plate I devour every year.
This version has little bits of Italian sausage, celery, cranberries, onions and pecans–YUM. It's unbelievably easy to make, AND you can make it in advance. Prepare it the day before Thanksgiving, cover and refrigerate, and bake just before you're ready to eat.
Don't miss some these other Thanksgiving recipes:
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes!
Sausage Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
Perfect Sausage Cranberry Pecan Stuffing made with italian sausage, celery, cranberries, onions and pecans.
Ingredients
- 1 pound hot ground Italian sausage, , casings removed
- 2 ribs celery, , chopped
- 1 sweet onion, , chopped
- 5-6 cloves garlic, , minced
- 3/4 cup fresh mushrooms, , sliced (optinal)
- 1 Granny Smith apple, , cored and grated
- 14 ounce package cubed stuffing, (I like Pepperidge Farms herb stuffing*)
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x13'' pan.
- Add crumbled sausage into a large casserole frying pan over medium heat.
- Brown for 2-3 minutes, breaking into small pieces, and then add the celery, onions and garlic.
- Cook until onions are translucent and then stir in the mushrooms and grated apple. Cook for 1-2 minutes and add the cubed stuffing mix.
- Toss to combine. Slowly add the chicken broth and toss to combine. Fold in pecans and cranberries.
- Transfer mixture to prepared 9x13'' pan and cover with foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes.
Notes
*You could also make your own cubed, seasoned breadcrumbs and use about 3 ½ cups *To make in advance: make the entire recipe up until you pour everything into the 9x13'' pan. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next day, according to directions. Adapted from Our Best Bites
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 28mg, Sodium: 633mg, Potassium: 294mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 155IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 1.4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Text me new recipe ideas!
Simple, tasty ideas sent once a week. No spam.
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
Absolute Hit! Made it in advance – needed about 40 minutes in 165(325) oven to crisp up the top. Everyone loved it – thanks!
Sounds delicious! Can I make this in a crockpot?
I wouldn’t recommend it :).
Can you make a vegetarian option? Follow recipe just omitting sausage?
Sure!
I’m hoping to make ahead. Do you add the liquid the day of baking? I’m thinking you stop at step 4 so it doesn’t get soggy over night? Or do you mix everything including chicken broth and pecans and then store in fridge overnight?
To make in advance: make the entire recipe up until you pour everything into the 9×13” pan
I make the entire recipe–even adding the chicken broth.
Can this be stuffed in the turkey?
Yes, you can, just be sure the stuffing cooks to 165 degrees so it’s sage to eat. (I don’t usually recommend stuffing turkey’s because by the time the stuffing has cooked to a safe temperature to eat, the turkey meat may be overcooked and dry. That’s why I bake it separately).
Is this recipe one that can be made a day in advance?
Yes, you could make it ahead! Enjoy
Awesome recipe! Thanks for the clear instructions! Will be making again next year!
Awesome recipe
Will it make a difference if I use cornbread stuffing mix? I got a box from Trader Joe’s that has a separate seasoning packet. Should I follow the directions on the box to prepare the stuffing, or can I just toss the contents of the box into this recipe (dry)?
Thanks.
I would probably follow the directions on the box then add sausage, cranberries and pecans if you wish.
Are baking times correct? Seems too short??
Hi Linda, 10 minutes with foil and 10 minutes without foil worked well for me. The goal is to rehear the dish so feel free to add additional time if it doesn’t seem warm enough!