Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Sage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Classic Thanksgiving stuffing featuring savory sausage, sweet apples, and fresh sage, baked until golden and aromatic. This American-inspired Thanksgiving recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs cornbread, Italian sausage, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 60 min Serves 8 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread 8 cups cubed cornbread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes to dry it out further.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 1 lb Italian sausage, breaking it up, cooking for 7-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 diced celery stalks, 1 medium diced peeled Granny Smith apple, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage leaves to the sausage. Sauté together for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and apple is fragrant.
  4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted cornbread cubes, sausage-vegetable mixture, 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, 2 large beaten eggs, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir gently until evenly moistened.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake uncovered for 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Sage take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Sage?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornbread from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Sage?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Sage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Sage?

American thanksgiving like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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