Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing with Celery

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

A savory bread stuffing featuring spicy sausage, earthy chestnuts, and aromatic celery, baked until golden for a traditional Thanksgiving staple. This American-inspired Thanksgiving recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs bread, smoked sausage, celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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: 25 min Cook: 35 min Serves 8 American cuisine 290 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt 2 tbsp butter in large skillet over medium heat. Cook diced sausage until browned, 5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add chopped celery and onion to skillet; cook 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh sage and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: In large bowl, combine bread cubes, cooked sausage, celery-onion mixture, dried cranberries, and drained chestnuts.
  4. Step 4: Pour 1/2 cup chicken broth over mixture, tossing to moisten. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake 30-35 minutes until golden and crispy on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing with Celery take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 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 Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing with Celery?

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 bread from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing with Celery?

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 Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing with Celery 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 Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing with Celery?

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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