Thanksgiving Sausage Dressing
A savory, flavorful sausage dressing with cornbread and bread cubes, perfect for Thanksgiving or holiday feasts, offering hearty comfort and aromatic herbs for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook sausage, onions, and diced celery in a skillet over medium heat until sausage is browned.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Add cornbread crumbs, toasted bread cubes, rubbed sage, pepper, beaten eggs, and 2 to 3½ cups of chicken or turkey broth; stir well to combine.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until heated through and golden on top.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using Italian sausage instead of pork sausage. You can also substitute half of the cornbread crumbs with stale bread for a different texture. If you prefer a bit more moisture, add an additional half cup of broth gradually until you reach your desired consistency. Remember to taste and adjust seasoning before baking.
Serving Suggestions
This sausage dressing pairs beautifully with roast turkey or honey mustard chicken for a classic Thanksgiving feast. Serve with cranberry sauce and green bean casserole for a complete meal. Leftovers can also be enjoyed as a hearty breakfast with eggs or as a filling side for a comforting dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until warmed through, adding a splash of broth if it's too dry. It can also be reheated in the microwave, but the oven helps maintain the texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Thanksgiving Sausage Dressing contains roughly 868 calories, with 36g protein, 57g carbohydrates, and 56g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (71% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (54% of the Daily Value), and iron (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin D. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1713mg per serving (74% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dressing a day in advance. Just prepare everything up to the baking step, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. On the day of serving, remove it from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then bake as directed.
What can I use instead of cornbread crumbs?
If you don't have cornbread, you can use store-bought stuffing mix or even homemade breadcrumbs made from stale bread. Just remember to adjust the seasoning, as store-bought mixes may already contain salt and herbs.
How can I make this dressing vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the pork sausage with a plant-based sausage substitute and use vegetable broth instead of chicken or turkey broth. You can also add sautéed mushrooms for extra umami flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).