This exquisite Thanksgiving Italian Sausage Stuffing is more than just a side dish; it’s a cherished holiday tradition that brings warmth and unforgettable flavor to any festive table. Bursting with the savory goodness of sweet Italian sausage, aromatic celery, sweet onions, and earthy mushrooms, every bite delivers a perfect symphony of textures – from tender, moist bread cubes to deliciously crispy edges. It’s a classic recipe deeply embedded in our family’s holiday celebrations, promising to evoke those special, festive memories year after year.

Whether you’re hosting a grand Thanksgiving dinner, a cozy Christmas gathering, or simply craving a taste of the holidays, this Italian sausage stuffing recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Its rich, herbaceous notes and comforting flavors make it an indispensable part of any holiday spread. Discover why this particular stuffing recipe has earned its place as a perennial favorite, and prepare to elevate your holiday cooking to new heights!

Planning your holiday menu? Don’t miss out on more delectable sides! Complement this stuffing with our vibrant Italian Green Bean Salad for a fresh contrast, or warm up your guests with a hearty bowl of Classic Italian Minestrone!

Stuffing vs. Dressing: Why Our Italian Sausage Stuffing is a Must-Have

The eternal holiday debate often revolves around which stuffing reigns supreme, and whether one should even call it “stuffing” or “dressing.” In our family, the discussion usually centers on whether our beloved Italian Sausage Stuffing or a savory Rice Dressing with Sausage takes the top spot. While both offer unique charms, this Thanksgiving Italian Sausage Stuffing consistently emerges as a crowd favorite. Here’s a closer look at what makes it truly exceptional and why it deserves a prime position on your holiday table:

• Unbeatable Texture: Creamy and Crispy Perfection. What truly sets this stuffing apart is its remarkable dual texture. The bread cubes, after soaking up the rich, savory broth and juices, transform into an incredibly moist, custardy interior. Meanwhile, the top layer and edges, once baked, develop a beautifully golden-brown crispness. This combination ensures every forkful is a delightful experience, offering both melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and satisfying crunch.
• A Quintessential American Tradition with an Italian Twist. While rice dressings have their place, traditional bread-based stuffing is often seen as the quintessential American holiday side. Our recipe elevates this classic by infusing it with the robust, beloved flavors of Italian cuisine, specifically the sweet Italian sausage. This blend creates a familiar yet exciting profile that resonates deeply with holiday spirit.
• The Perfect Companion for Thanksgiving Gravy. The rich, herbaceous flavors of this Italian Sausage Stuffing provide an ideal base for soaking up generous dollops of homemade Thanksgiving gravy. The savory sausage and seasoned bread cubes act like a sponge, ensuring every drop of that delicious gravy is enjoyed, enhancing the entire meal.
• Ideal for Stuffing Your Turkey. Unlike lighter side dishes, this hearty stuffing is perfectly suited for filling your Thanksgiving turkey. Baking it inside the turkey infuses it with even deeper poultry flavors, creating an incredibly moist and aromatic stuffing. If baking it separately, it still makes a magnificent side that complements the turkey beautifully. Rice dressing, by contrast, is often served purely as an additional side, lacking the traditional “stuffing” role.

As an added bonus, whenever we prepare this recipe, we deliberately make a bit extra to craft delicious Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. This ingenious approach allows us to “kill two birds with one stone” during the busy holiday season, providing an easy and impressive appetizer without any additional cooking effort. It’s a testament to the versatility and incredible flavor of this stuffing base!

Essential Ingredient Notes and Flavorful Substitutions

Crafting the perfect Thanksgiving Italian Sausage Stuffing starts with understanding your ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the rich, layered flavors that make this dish so special. Here’s a detailed look at the key ingredients and how you can adapt them to your preferences:

• Sweet Italian Sausage. We highly recommend using sweet Italian sausage for its balanced flavor profile, which contributes a subtle sweetness and a blend of fennel and other Italian spices without being overly spicy. If you prefer a bit of heat, you could opt for mild or hot Italian sausage. For those who can’t find Italian sausage or prefer to control the seasoning, you can easily substitute plain ground pork or even ground beef. To replicate the Italian flavor, combine it with our Homemade Italian Sausage Seasoning. This allows for excellent customization and ensures you always have the perfect sausage for your stuffing.
• Cubed Stuffing Bread. The foundation of any great stuffing! We typically use Pepperidge Farm cubed stuffing for its consistent texture and ease of use. However, you have several excellent options:
  • Original Stuffing Mix: Similar to cubed stuffing, often comes seasoned.
  • Cornbread: For a Southern-inspired twist, cornbread stuffing offers a distinct flavor and crumbly texture.
  • Homemade Croutons: For an elevated homemade touch, consider using our Homemade Italian Parmesan Croutons. They add incredible flavor and a robust base.
  • Stale Bread: You can also cube day-old bread like sourdough, challah, or French bread and lightly toast it to dry it out. This is a fantastic way to use up leftover bread and customize your stuffing’s base flavor.

  The key is to use slightly dry or toasted bread cubes, as they absorb the broth more effectively without becoming soggy.

• Mushrooms. Mushrooms add an earthy depth to the stuffing, complementing the sausage beautifully. If you’re not also preparing our Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, simply chop up 4 ounces of your favorite mushrooms (cremini or white button work great). When I make this recipe alongside the stuffed mushrooms, I remove and chop all the mushroom stems from the caps (which are reserved for stuffing) and use those in the stuffing mixture. This minimizes waste and maximizes flavor.
• Chicken Broth. For simplicity and rich flavor, store-bought chicken broth is an excellent choice. Opt for a low-sodium variety if you’re concerned about salt intake, as you can always adjust seasoning later. However, for an unparalleled depth of flavor, especially on Thanksgiving, I highly recommend using the neck and giblets from your turkey. Simmer them in water for about 30 minutes to create a homemade turkey broth. This imparts a truly authentic, rich poultry flavor that elevates the stuffing to another level.
• Turkey Giblets (Optional). While we don’t always include giblets in this specific recipe, they are a fantastic addition for those seeking a more traditional, rich flavor profile. If you decide to incorporate them, finely chop the giblets (excluding the liver, which can be bitter for some) and brown them alongside the celery and onion before adding the sausage. This step enhances the savory, “turkey-day” essence of the stuffing.
• Fresh Herbs. Though poultry seasoning is called for, feel free to enhance the aroma and flavor with fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary. Finely chop about a tablespoon total of fresh herbs and add them when you add the dried poultry seasoning for a burst of vibrant flavor.

*Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for precise measurements and additional ingredient information.

Crafting Your Thanksgiving Italian Sausage Stuffing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this flavorful Italian Sausage Stuffing is a rewarding process, resulting in a dish that will be the talk of your holiday meal. Follow these steps carefully to achieve that perfect balance of creamy and crispy texture, infused with savory Italian flavors. The cooking time for this recipe is approximately 1 hour, including simmering the broth.

First, prepare your broth. Pour 4-5 cups of chicken broth into a medium pot and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. If you’re using the turkey neck for homemade broth, place it with 6 cups of water in a pot and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the broth and use it in place of chicken broth, reserving the tender meat from the neck if desired.

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics. Begin by placing a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of butter or olive oil. Once the fat is hot and shimmering, stir in the chopped celery and onion. Sauté these foundational vegetables, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and wonderfully soft, which typically takes about 8 minutes. This step is crucial for building the stuffing’s flavor base.

Step 2: Add the Mushrooms. Next, stir in the chopped mushrooms. Continue to sauté for approximately 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms have released all of their moisture and started to brown slightly. Allowing the water to evaporate concentrates their earthy flavor.

Step 3: Infuse with Flavor. Now, add the minced garlic, poultry seasoning, and salt to the pan. Sauté for just 1 more minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter. The heat will release the wonderful aromas of the spices, perfectly prepping the base for the sausage.

Step 4: Brown the Italian Sausage. Carefully remove the sweet Italian sausage from its casing and add it to the saucepan with the sautéed vegetables.

Step 5: Break Apart and Brown Thoroughly. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, break the sausage apart into the smallest pieces possible as it cooks. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sausage is fully browned and cooked all the way through, with no pink remaining. This step renders out some of the fat and develops a deep, savory flavor.

*TOP TIP: Patience is key during the broth absorption stage! Ensure that the broth you previously added is entirely absorbed by the bread cubes before incorporating more stuffing or broth. This prevents an oversaturated, gummy stuffing.

Step 10: Bake to Golden Perfection. Place the baking dish with the stuffing into your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and crispy, and the center is heated through. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. This Thanksgiving Italian Sausage Stuffing is magnificent served hot alongside your festive Turkey, perhaps with a side of savory Garlic Parmesan Green Beans. For a truly unforgettable holiday feast, consider pairing it with a variety of other delicious side dishes from our collection!

Pro-Tips for the Best Italian Sausage Stuffing

Achieving holiday perfection with your Italian Sausage Stuffing is easier with these expert tips and tricks. These insights will help you enhance flavors, perfect textures, and streamline your holiday cooking process:

1. Customize Your Sausage: If you have ground pork on hand, you have the advantage of creating your very own custom-flavored sausage! Simply use our detailed Homemade Italian Sausage Seasoning recipe. This allows you to adjust the spice level and flavor profile precisely to your liking, ensuring a truly personalized stuffing experience.
2. Embrace Turkey Giblets for Authentic Flavor: For a deeply traditional and robust Thanksgiving flavor, don’t discard those turkey giblets! Finely chop the giblets (excluding the liver, as it can sometimes impart a slightly bitter taste) and add them to the pan to brown alongside the celery and onion. This adds an incredible depth of savory, gamey flavor that many connoisseurs consider essential for classic holiday stuffing. This is precisely how my mom, and often I, prepare stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Master the Broth Absorption Technique: The key to perfectly textured stuffing lies in patience during the broth absorption phase. When stirring in the broth and stuffing cubes, work slowly and methodically. Crucially, wait until the broth you previously added is completely absorbed by the bread cubes, and there is absolutely no liquid pooling at the bottom of the saucepan, before adding more. This prevents your stuffing from becoming soggy or mushy and ensures each cube is adequately moistened but still retains some structure.
4. Stir Frequently to Prevent Sticking: Once you begin adding the stuffing cubes and broth, it’s vital to mix the stuffing often and consistently. The starches in the bread can quickly stick to the bottom of the saucepan, leading to uneven cooking and potentially burned bits. Frequent stirring ensures even moisture distribution, uniform cooking, and prevents any undesirable sticking, resulting in a perfectly blended and textured stuffing.
5. Consider a Crispier Top: For an extra-crispy top, consider drizzling a tablespoon or two of melted butter over the stuffing before baking. You can also uncover the stuffing for the last 10-15 minutes of baking, or even briefly run it under the broiler (watch carefully!) for a beautifully browned, crunchy crust.
6. Make-Ahead Magic: To alleviate holiday stress, you can prepare the stuffing mixture (up to the point of baking) a day in advance. Store it tightly covered in the baking dish in the refrigerator. On Thanksgiving Day, simply bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed, possibly adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if needed.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Italian Sausage Stuffing

This savory Italian Sausage Stuffing is a versatile and robust side dish that complements a wide array of main courses and other holiday sides. Its rich flavors and comforting texture make it an excellent addition to any festive meal. Here are some ideal pairings to create an unforgettable dining experience:

• Main Course Companions: This stuffing shines brightest alongside classic holiday roasts. Serve it alongside a traditional Roasted Turkey for Thanksgiving, or try it with our succulent Italian Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin for a flavorful alternative. It also pairs wonderfully with a crispy Classic Pork Chop Milanese, adding a comforting, herbaceous contrast to the breaded pork.
• Complementary Side Dishes: Elevate your holiday spread by pairing this stuffing with other delicious sides. The savory notes of the stuffing are perfectly balanced by the earthy flavors of Crispy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes, the fresh crunch of a Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad with Pancetta, or the sweet and savory goodness of Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts. The variety in textures and flavors will create a dynamic and satisfying meal.
• Fresh Salads: To cut through the richness of the stuffing and other hearty dishes, a crisp, refreshing salad is a welcome addition. It’s perfect served alongside a classic Caesar salad dressed with our Traditional Caesar Dressing. For a healthier, robust option, a Kale and Cannellini Bean Salad provides a lovely balance of textures and nutrients.

Thanksgiving Italian Sausage Stuffing: Your Questions Answered

Have questions about making the perfect Italian sausage stuffing for your holiday meal? We’ve got you covered with answers to some of the most common queries:

More Irresistible Holiday Side Dishes to Complete Your Feast

No holiday meal is complete without a stunning array of side dishes. Complement your savory Italian Sausage Stuffing with these other delightful recipes, perfect for any festive occasion:

We truly hope this Ultimate Thanksgiving Italian Sausage Stuffing becomes a cherished new tradition in your home, bringing joy and incredible flavor to your holiday table. Its perfect blend of Italian heritage and classic American comfort food makes it an unforgettable dish. We love hearing about your culinary adventures and how our recipes become part of your family’s story!

Please leave a comment and a star rating below in the recipe card if you try this fantastic recipe! Your feedback helps us grow and inspires others. Feel free to tag us on Instagram @vindelgiudice – we’d love to see your beautiful creations!

Thanksgiving Italian Sausage Stuffing

Vincent DelGiudice