Apple and Sausage Stuffing with Sage and Toasted Pecans

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

Traditional bread stuffing enhanced with savory sausage, tart apples, fresh sage, and crunchy toasted pecans for texture and flavor complexity. This American-inspired Thanksgiving recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs Italian sausage, casing removed, onion, diced, celery, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 8 cups day-old bread cubes
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp butter and add 1 lb Italian sausage (casing removed). Break up the sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup diced onion, 1 cup diced celery, and 2 cups peeled diced Granny Smith apples to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until the vegetables and apples soften.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 more minute to release the aromas.
4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage mixture with 8 cups day-old bread cubes and 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans. Pour 2 cups chicken broth evenly over the mixture and toss gently until the bread is moistened but not soggy.
5. Step 5: Transfer the stuffing to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.