Herbed Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries

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

Savory cornbread stuffing enriched with Italian sausage, fresh herbs, and tart dried cranberries for a festive flavor. This American-inspired Thanksgiving recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs cornbread, Italian sausage, celery stalks 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: 50 min Serves 8 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 finely chopped celery stalks and 1 large finely chopped yellow onion to the skillet with sausage. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 cups cubed day-old cornbread, cooked sausage mixture, 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 3/4 cup dried cranberries.
  4. Step 4: Pour 2 1/2 cups warm chicken broth over the mixture and gently toss to moisten. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the stuffing to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp.
  6. Step 6: Let cool for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop fully.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herbed Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Herbed Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries?

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 Herbed Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries?

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 Herbed Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries 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 Herbed Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries?

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.

Related recipes