Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples (Easy Recipe!) (2024)

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Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples is an easy to make recipe with simple ingredients. This recipe is so easy and truly the best cornbread dressing for your Thanksgiving table!

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples (Easy Recipe!) (1)

This sausage cornbread stuffing is guaranteed to be a family favorite on your Thanksgiving menu. This simple dish is made with easy to find ingredients and can be assembled ahead of time, key for stress-free Thanksgiving Dinner!

The sweetness from the apples mixed with flavors from the sausage and fresh sage will make you want to have this dish on hand year round.

Pair this with mySlow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Glazeor mySlow Cooker Turkey Breastand you’ll two easy recipes done in no time! And for guaranteed creamy potatoes, don’t miss this recipe forRicotta Mashed Potatoesor try these tasty Cacio e Pepe Mashed Potatoes!

If you love make-ahead holiday meals, be sure to try my favoritePanettone French Toast Casserolewith brown sugar glaze. And, make your cranberry sauce ahead of time with this Cranberry Pineapple Sauce recipe.

Table of Contents

You’ll Love Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples is a delicious take on traditional cornbread stuffing and certain to become your family’s favorite!

I have been making this stuffing for years and it’s always the star of my holiday table. Stuffing is, after all, the one dish that most people look forward to eating at Thanksgiving!

What makes this recipe so special is that it uses sweet cornbread from Jiffy cornbread mix. Combined with the flavors of Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage, and you have a delicious and flavorful cornbread stuffing in no time.

Cornbread gives stuffing such a delightful and unique texture that you just don’t get from traditional bread stuffing. Plus, you can prepare this recipe ahead of time for an easy less-stress Thanksgiving dinner.

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples (Easy Recipe!) (2)

The apples are another key ingredients to delicious cornbread stuffing. Add in the fresh sage, and you have a winning recipe every time! For another delicious stuffing recipe try this Focaccia Stuffing or this Pretzel Stuffing!

So, whether you have been making stuffing for years or this is your first time, be sure to try this cornbread stuffing with sausage and apples! It’s the perfect Thanksgiving side dish for your holiday menu. You’re going to love it!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples (Easy Recipe!) (3)
  • Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: you could make cornbread from scratch but this grocery store box mix tastes just as good as homemade cornbread! Feel free to use your favorite cornbread recipe here if you’d like.
  • Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage: I always use this sausage in my stuffing because of the ease of use and flavorings in it. To me this sausage is necessary for Thanksgiving stuffing. You could substitute Italian sausage, or sage sausage.
  • Eggs: you will need two large eggs to make the boxed cornbread as well as an egg to bind the cornbread stuffing.
  • Milk: a bit of milk is needed for the cornbread recipe. Use whatever unflavored milk or milk alternative you have on hand.
  • Apples: the sweetness of the apple in the cornbread stuffing just can’t be beat. Use a firmer apple such as Granny Smith apples.
  • Fresh Sage: fresh sage is always a necessary component of my stuffing recipe. I prefer it over dried sage, which could be used in a pinch.
  • Butter: half a stick of unsalted butter is used to cook the veggies.
  • Celery: you will need about 3 stalks of celery.
  • Onion: use a white or yellow onion for this recipe.
  • Dried Thyme: dried thyme is a delicious addition to the stuffing. You can use poultry seasoning or any other fresh herbs instead.
  • Chicken Broth: add the egg and the chicken broth right before baking.
  • Salt and Pepper: add kosher salt and black pepper to taste.

How to Make Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples

This cornbread stuffing has been tested and perfected and is ready for the big day! See how easy it is to make and follow the easy prep-ahead instructions to have less stress on Thanksgiving day.

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples (Easy Recipe!) (4)

Step 1: make the cornbread

You could use bagged stuffing mix, but I highly recommend making it yourself. It’s cheaper and yields much tastier results!

For this recipe, use two boxes of Jiffy Corn Mix and follow the package directions, adding two eggs and ⅔ cup of milk. Pour into a greased baking 9×13 inch baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees. Set aside and let cool completely.

(The cornbread can be made up to three days in advance.)

Step 2: prep the sausage and filling

In a large skillet or large dutch oven over medium high heat, cook the Jimmy Dean’s Sausage until cooked through and no longer pink. While cooking, break up the sausage chunks with a wooden spoon. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Add the butter and celery to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add in the onion, apple, chopped sage, and seasonings. Cook for another 5 minutes; set aside.

Step 3: mix the stuffing ingredients

Use a knife to cut the room temperature cornbread into large cubes and place in a large mixing bowl. Add in the sausage mixture and vegetable mixture.

If making ahead, refrigerate this portion until ready to bake. (Don’t add the chicken broth and egg to mixture until right before baking).

Step 4: bake now or refrigerate for later

When ready to bake, preheat oven and grease a 9×13 baking dish or casserole dish. Add the chicken broth and egg to the cornbread stuffing and toss to combine.

Pour into pan and bake in a preheated oven, covered, removing the foil for the last 10 minutes of cooking to let the stuffing get golden brown.

One bite and you’ll agree that this is the best cornbread sausage stuffing of your life!

​Tips for Making Cornbread Stuffing

  • Make sure you let the cornbread cool completely before cutting it. It’s even better if the cornbread is made a day or two in advance.
  • I use the regular Jimmy Dean’s Pork Sausage in this recipe but you could change it up with their other varieties like spicy sausage or maple sausage.
  • If you are making this in advance, refrigerate the stuffing without the egg and broth in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. Then, when ready to bake, pour in the beaten egg and broth mixture, and bake as instructed.
  • Once you have added the broth to the cornbread mixture, bake immediately. The cornbread has a tendency to fall apart if it sits in the liquid too long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should stuffing be covered when baking?

Cover stuffing with foil when baking until it is warmed through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. During the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, uncover the stuffing so it has a change to get crispy on top.

What is cornbread stuffing?

Cornbread stuffing is like traditional Thanksgiving stuffing but made with cornbread instead of bread. For best results, use cornbread that is a couple of days old so that it doesn’t break apart and does a better job of absorbing the liquids.

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples (Easy Recipe!) (5)

More Easy Holiday Recipes

  • Boursin Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Creamy and Fluffy!)
  • Cranberry Pineapple Sauce
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
  • Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel (No Eggs)

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or review in the comments section further down the page.

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Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples (Easy Recipe!) (10)

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apple

Get a helping hand with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix and Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage to make this delicious and crowd pleasing traditional Cornbread Stuffing, perfect for Thanksgiving Dinner or anytime of the year!

5 from 18 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 287kcal

Author: Angela Allison

Ingredients

Cornbread

  • 2 8.5 ounce packages Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
  • 2 large eggs
  • cup milk

Stuffing Mix

  • 16 ounce tube regular pork sausage such as Jimmy Dean’s
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter half a stick
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • ½ cup onion, diced
  • 1 apple, peeled and diced any apple works
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 14.5 ounce cans low sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the corn bread mix, 2 eggs, and milk. Pour into baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. Set aside to cool. Cut up cornbread into 2 inch cubes and place in a large mixing bowl.

  • To make the stuffing, heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the pork sausage and use a spoon to break it up while cooking. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, until cooked through. Add to the cornbread mixture.

  • Return the skillet to the stove and add in the butter and celery, cooking until celery starts to soften, about 4 minutes. Add in the onion, apple, sage, thyme, and salt and cook for another 5 minutes until onion and apple soften. Add to the cornbread mixture.Toss together the ingredients. (If making ahead, refrigerate this mixture and proceed to next step when ready to bake.)

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add in the beaten egg and broth and toss gently to combine. Pour into 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until top is lightly browned.

Video

Notes

  • Make sure you let the cornbread cool completely before cutting it. It’s even better if the cornbread is made a day or two in advance.
  • I use the regular Jimmy Dean’s Pork Sausage in this recipe but you could change it up with their other varieties like spicy sausage or maple sausage.
  • If you are making this in advance, refrigerate the stuffing without the egg and broth in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. Then, when ready to bake, pour in the beaten egg and broth mixture, and bake as instructed.
  • Once you have added the broth to the cornbread mixture, bake immediately. The cornbread has a tendency to fall apart if it sits in the liquid too long.

Nutrition

Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 548mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg

Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples (Easy Recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between cornbread stuffing and cornbread dressing? ›

The primary difference between stuffing and dressing is that stuffing is cooked inside a bird and dressing is made on the side.

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

How soggy should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

What is stuffing called in the South? ›

But for the Thanksgiving side dish in the South, the term dressing was adopted in place of stuffing, which was viewed as a crude term, during the Victorian era. Although dressing and stuffing are interchangeable terms, the signature ingredient of this Thanksgiving side dish in the South is cornbread.

Is stuffing the same as dressing black folks? ›

The stuffing mixture may be cooked separately and served as a side dish, in which case it may still be called 'stuffing', or in some regions, such as the Southern US, 'dressing'. This is from Wiki. Basically, everyone except a tiny percentage of Black people with family in Alabama calls it stuffing.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

It's all about personal preference. If you want a sturdier dressing, eggs can help do that. I don't use eggs in this recipe, though, because I like a lighter, more crumbly texture in my dressing.

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Typically high in fat, carbs and salt, stuffing can be made fresh or purchased chilled, frozen or dehydrated. Traditionally, a stuffing would use the giblets of the bird with the addition of sausage meat, a source of starch, such as bread, with some aromatics such as onion, herbs and spices.

Is it okay to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

What type of bread is best for stuffing? ›

The best bread for stuffing is a sturdy loaf with a tight crumb. Bakery French bread, Italian bread, Challah, and Sourdough are all good choices. When you cut up a 1-pound loaf into cubes, it should fit in an even layer on a single half-size rimmed baking sheet.

Can you leave cornbread out overnight for dressing? ›

Be sure to leave enough time — the cornbread needs to sit out overnight to harden slightly before you make the dressing.

How to keep cornbread dressing from being gummy? ›

If your dressing doesn't turn out right, don't fret. You can usually fix it. If you find your stuffing is too dry, add additional warmed broth to it, stir well, and return to the oven, checking periodically. If the stuffing is overly wet and too gummy, cook it uncovered for a bit longer, checking periodically.

Should I leave bread out overnight for stuffing? ›

If you use soft, fresh bread, you'll ultimately wind up with a soggy, mushy stuffing. So, how do you dry bread for stuffing? There are two ways to go about it. If you've planned your Thanksgiving dinner ahead of time, you can cut your bread into cubes and leave them out to become stale overnight.

Can you mess up stuffing? ›

Baking It Inside Your Bird

I know it's classic, but it could be screwing up your dinner. Baking stuffing inside the turkey could result in soggy stuffing, or even an overcooked turkey, because for the stuffing to get to 165 degrees (the temperature needed to cook it), the turkey will get to 180-190, which is too high.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing. Why? Remember, stuffing can harbor bacteria, and though bacteria grow slower in the refrigerator they can cause problems because stuffing is a good medium for bacteria growth, therefore a higher risk food in terms of cooking safely.

What is the difference between dressing and stuffing? ›

"Stuffing is cooked in the cavity of the turkey, so the juices soak into the ingredients, making it more flavorful. Dressing gets cooked on its own and needs extra liquid to make it flavorful." So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.

Do southerners eat stuffing or dressing? ›

This is down to a science: A 2015 survey conducted on behalf of the poultry company Butterball revealed that, regardless of how the dish was cooked, most of the country—including 100 percent of New Englanders—refers to the side as stuffing, while Southerners are devoted dressing fans.

What is cornbread stuffing made of? ›

Combine the cooked onions and celery with the cornbread, egg, chicken broth, milk and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl; mix well. Place in a buttered 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes; remove the foil and bake until golden brown, about 20 more minutes.

What is in Carrington cornbread stuffing? ›

From an old southern recipe handed down for over 100 years, cornbread and toasted white bread are blended with fresh celery, onions and diced hard boiled eggs. It is all bound together with savory vegetable oil and whole eggs. It is ready to be baked up to a golden brown and delicious stuffing.

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