Sausage and Apple Stuffing is the ultimate combination of savory and sweet, bringing warmth, texture, and bold flavor to any holiday table. This dish goes beyond the traditional bread stuffing by adding the richness of sausage and the subtle sweetness of apples. It’s hearty, comforting, and absolutely packed with flavor, perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy fall or winter meal.
What makes this stuffing so special is the contrast in textures and flavors. The savory sausage brings a rich, meaty depth while the apples offer bursts of sweetness that brighten every bite. Combined with cubes of toasted bread, sautéed onions, celery, and aromatic herbs like sage and thyme, it creates a well-balanced dish that feels both familiar and elevated.
This stuffing is more than just a side dish. It often becomes a favorite part of the meal, with guests going back for seconds or even thirds. The sausage adds heartiness, making it feel substantial enough to enjoy on its own, while the apples keep it from feeling too heavy. It’s that perfect bite where comfort food meets a little something special.
Beyond the holiday table, Sausage and Apple Stuffing is a fantastic side for any roasted meat, from chicken to pork to turkey. It pairs wonderfully with gravy, cranberry sauce, or roasted vegetables, rounding out the meal with warmth and satisfying flavors. Some even enjoy the leftovers for breakfast the next day, crisped up in a skillet with a fried egg on top.
It’s also a highly customizable dish. Use sweet or spicy sausage depending on your preference, choose tart apples like Granny Smith for more contrast, or add extras like toasted nuts, dried cranberries, or mushrooms for even more depth. The foundation is sturdy but flexible, allowing you to make it your own.
Whether served at a big holiday feast or as part of a comforting Sunday dinner, Sausage and Apple Stuffing is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug. It’s the perfect balance of flavors that celebrates the best of the season, savory, sweet, and completely satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb sausage bulk, mild or hot
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 2 cups apples peeled and chopped
- 12 cups bread cubes dried
- 1 tsp sage dried
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped fresh
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned, crumbling it as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add the celery and onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped apples and cook for another 3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes, sausage mixture, sage, thyme, and parsley.
- Pour the chicken broth and melted butter over the stuffing mixture, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the stuffing to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
Really good comfort food. I added a pinch of garlic powder because I can’t help myself. The crispy top is the best part.
Not gonna lie, mine came out kinda bland. I think my apples were really tart and overpowered the herbs? Also my oven ran hot, so the top browned too early.
Love the simple steps. Brown sausage, cook veg, mix, bake—easy. I also like that it makes a whole 9×13 dish for a crowd.
I’m skeptical about “12 cups bread cubes” because it feels like a lot, but I measured and it ended up perfect. Only tweak: I added an extra splash of broth because mine seemed dry before baking.
It’s ok I guess. Mine turned out a little dry, not sure if I did something wrong?? Too much bread maybe?
I made it, but I accidentally used too much salt. Be careful with that, folks! Kinda ruined it for me.
Just don’t use so much next time! This stuffing is great if you pay attention to salt.
I feel you! Salt can definitely mess things up. I always add it little by little. Hope the next attempt is better!
Wasn’t really impressed, too many apples for my taste. I prefer a more savory stuffing.
I actually love the sweetness the apples bring! Maybe try using less apples or a different fruit next time? 😊
Delicious! I used leftover bread and it was still amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
Why do we need so much butter? Is this a healthy dish? I doubt it.
I thought it was too much butter too! Tried it with less butter, still good but not as rich. 🍏
Butter makes it taste better! Every dish isn’t healthy, gotta enjoy sometimes. 😋
Easy peasy! Just like mom used to make. Bring back memories.
I thought this would be better than my mom’s recipe. But it wasn’t. Sry, just being honest!
Don’t worry, everyone has different tastes! Maybe try adjusting the ingredients next time?
Your mom’s must be really great then! Sometimes recipes just don’t compare. Did you try adding more spices?
Why does everyone rave about this? It’s just stuffing! I mean, it was okay, but nothing special. (2 stars)
The recipe is too complicated. I like things simple. Next time I just buy stuffing mix.
I get that! Sometimes simple is best. But homemade stuffing is so much better than that store stuff!
Sausage and apples? Mmm, sounds fancy! But my kids didn’t eat it. They are picky.
I replaced sausage with veggie sausage and it still turned out amazing!
Wasn’t sure about apples in stuffing, but it rocked! Tastes so unique!
My family absolutely ate this fast. I did add a bit of garlic because I can’t help myself, and it made it even better. Will make again.
Followed it pretty closely—only swapped dried parsley for fresh (oops) and it still tasted good. I did think 2 cups broth might be a little much, but it baked fine.
Hmm 2 cups broth *sounds* like a lot for 12 cups bread cubes. I usually do closer to 1 1/2 cups, otherwise it gets kinda soggy. But if yours browned well, maybe your bread absorbed it nicely.
Nice! I’ve done the fresh parsley swap before and it still works—glad it turned out good. Also 2 cups broth baking fine makes me feel better; I always worry about “too wet.”
Very delicious! Made it with leftover sausage and it was a hit! Will make again for sure. 😍
I followed it exactly and I have to say I was underwhelmed. It tasted fine, but not “stuffing” enough—more like bread casserole. Might be the sage/thyme amount? Next time I’ll bump them.
5 stars! I made this on a whim and it was a hit at the dinner table.
Sounds good but I don’t trust apple in stuffing. Isn’t that too sweet?
I’m glad it turned out well for you! This recipe is a family favorite. 👍
Made this for Thanksgiving and it actually disappeared fast. The apples make it feel sweet-savory without being weird. I used hot sausage and it was perfect.
Pretty solid recipe, but 12 cups of bread cubes feels like a lot for just 2 cups broth. Mine came out a touch dry—next time I’ll add a splash more broth.
Totally agree—12 cups for only 2 cups broth is a ratio that’s gonna swing dry pretty easily. I’d try using less bread cubes or bumping the broth/butter like you said.
This stuffing is soooo good! I made it for Thanksgiving, and everyone went crazy over it. Very easy to follow the recipe. 5 stars!
Looks good, but what if I don’t like sausage? Could you use chicken instead? Wonder if it would taste the same…
I tried this stuffing too! It was amazing at our Thanksgiving too. Everyone loved it! I used different apples tho, still turned out great!
Best stuffing I ever made! Thumbs up!
Very easy to follow, but I feel like it needs something more. Maybe some garlic or something spicy?
Delicious! Used chicken sausage instead. Turned out great!
Idk, stuffing is just okay. I always prefer just plain bread stuffing. This was too much.
Honestly, I was skeptical about the apples in stuffing. But it turned out pretty tasty! Just not sure if I would do the apples again.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about the apples, but wow. It’s comforting and the top actually got crispy in my oven. Will make again.
This recipe is super easy! I didn’t have sage, so I used rosemary instead. Still turned out yummy! Will make again! 4 stars.
This is a keeper. I used dried thyme/ sage like it says and it smelled amazing while baking. Might add cranberries next time.
This is bomb! Gonna make it for Christmas too! High five!
Christmas? Really? Isn’t that a bit much? 🤔
Sounds delicious! I might try adding some nuts for crunch! 👍
I think 12 cups of bread cubes is a lot? My bread cubes bag sure didn’t measure like that. I ended up with extra liquid too—had to bake a bit longer. Taste is good though.
I tried this recipe, but it was way too salty for my taste. I think less salt next time.
I thought it was perfectly seasoned! Maybe you just used too much salt when you added it? Just a thought!
My stuffing turned out a bit dry, might have added too much bread? I’ll try again.
Absolutely delicious! The apples add a great sweetness to it. Will make again for sure!
I was skeptical about adding apples, but it actually worked out. I think I added a bit too much salt tho…
Meh. Followed it exactly, but mine didn’t crisp much on top. Also 12 cups bread cubes felt like a lot—could be my bread size?
I think the cook time might be short. The middle didn’t feel set after 30 minutes; I ended up baking closer to 45. Not a dealbreaker though.
This recipe is amazing! The combo of sausage and apple is genius! My whole family loved it!
This is the best stuffing I’ve ever made! The apples add a sweet twist that we all loved. I’ll definitely make it again!
Y’all call this stuffing? I prefer mine with just bread and seasonings. This is too fancy for my taste. 2/5
Yummy! My family loved it, and I can’t remember the last time they cleared the dish so fast!
Yummy stuffing! I added some cranberries for extra flavor, highly recommend!
Wow, so good!😋 Family loved it and even my picky brother went for seconds!
Made this last night, and it was too salty! Better watch the seasoning next time.
OMG this is the best stuffing ever! The apples really add a nice sweetness. 5 stars!
Yummy in my tummy! 😋
Right? It’s super delish! 😍
I dunno… sausage and apples? Seems kinda weird, don’t ya think?
This stuffing is just delicious! I tried it for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it.
Way too many ingredients, just stick to plain bread and broth or something.
Why do people put apples in stuffing? Isn’t that a dessert thing? Didn’t taste right to me.
So… is it stuffing or is it basically sausage bread pudding? 🤔 I dunno. Texture was nice but I’m questioning the concept.
I get what you mean—it’s basically bread + sausage + broth, so yeah it’s like a savory bread pudding vibe. But the baked “stuffing” label fits since it’s the traditional Thanksgiving-style mix (crisp top, moist inside) rather than a sweet pudding. Either way, sounds like you enjoyed the texture!
Not stuffing. Stuffing has to be cooked *inside* the bird, lol. This is just sausage bread casserole with apples. Still good though—sage + thyme are doing the heavy lifting. Next time add more broth or it’ll be a little dry.
This stuffing was absolutely delish! Perfect for Thanksgiving.
I did not like this at all, too much sausage. Maybe less would help?
It was okay, but felt like it was missing something. Maybe more herbs? Not sure if I’d make it again.
I think this is too much work for stuffing. Also, 350F for 30-35 min seems short… coulda used longer, I guess.
I don’t get the whole apple stuffing thing. It tasted like breakfast stuffing?? Kinda confused, kinda okay.
OMG, I can’t believe how good this was. The flavor combo is like a hug for your mouth! Will make again!
I totally agree! This recipe is amazing! It’s like a party in your mouth. Can’t wait to make it again too!
This stuffing really brought my family together for Thanksgiving! Thanks for sharing!
Looks good but i dont have celery so can i skip it? Also whats the difference between sage and thyme? lol
Made this for Thanksgiving and it disappeared fast. The apples make it taste sweet without being cloying, and the top actually gets that nice crispy bits. I used hot sausage and it kicked.
Simple to make, a hit at our family dinner! Will make again.
I followed the recipe exactly and mine turned out way too soggy. What did I do wrong?
I’m not sure about adding apples. Isn’t stuffing supposed to be savory? Didn’t like it much.
Made this for Thanksgiving and it disappeared fast. The apple gives it this sweet-savory thing that totally works with the sage/thyme. I used hot sausage and it was perfect.
Just made this for Thanksgiving, and everyone loved it! The sausage and apple combo is genius! Will make again.
Umm.. is 12 cups of bread too much? I just used half of that and it was plenty. But otherwise, it was alright. 3 stars I guess.
Yeah, I think 12 cups is a lot for anyone! I only used 8 and it turned out fine. Glad you still enjoyed it though!
Thought the bread cubes would turn out dry, but the butter + broth kept it moist. I did bake closer to 35 min for more browning.
Good call—bread cubes can absolutely go dry without enough liquid. I like that you adjusted the bake time to get more browning; that usually makes the top extra crispy. Did you use dried bread cubes that were already pretty stale, or more like store-bought croutons?
Why so much bread? 12 cups sounds like a small mountain lol. Flavor was good though—would try again but probably cut the bread down or increase sausage.
Why would anyone put fruit in stuffing? Not for me. I’m sticking with my plain bread stuffing.
I just mixed up the portions. Who needs 12 cups of bread?🤣 I used half and it worked just fine! 😂
I think 12 cups bread cubes might be too much? Mine looked like an entire mountain in the bowl. I ended up adding extra butter/broth to bind it. Still tasty, just… adjust as needed.
I dunno, man, this stuffing is kinda weird with apples. I like my stuffing plain. 2 stars.
Perfect for Thanksgiving! Made it and everyone ate it all, no leftovers!
Not bad, but I expected more flavor. Might try adding more spices next time.
I totally get what you mean! A bit more seasoning can make a huge difference. Next time, try adding some garlic or even a pinch of cayenne for a kick!
Flavor? I don’t know what your talking ’bout. I thought it was great! But hey, everyone got their taste, right?
Sausage shouldn’t be sweet, left out apples and it was much better. Not a fan of that combo.
I totally get what you mean! Sweet and sausage just don’t mix well for me either. A savory stuffing sounds better!
Not bad, but I found it a little bland. Next time I’ll increase salt/pepper and maybe add a touch more sage.
This stuffing is amazing! The apples add a sweet touch, and my family loved it. Definitely a 5 out of 5!
I totally agree! I’ve made this twice already, and everyone keeps asking when I’ll make it again. So good!
Yum!! Gonna try this for Thanksgiving! 😍
I dunno… apple in stuffing? Sounds a bit weird to me. 😬
That sounds perfect for Thanksgiving! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out! 🦃
Too much sausage! I like mine with less meat and more veggies, but my family devoured it.
Not sure about the apples + sage combo. It tasted kinda sweet to me, and my family didn’t love it. If you like sweet-savory stuff, you’ll probably be happier than I was.
I don’t understand how this could work. Sausage and apples? Seriously? I tried it and it was just okay at best. 2/5.
Delicious! My whole family asked for seconds. Next time I’m going to add a little more apple for extra sweetness—maybe like 3 cups? Crust was perfect.
This is comfort food at its best. Mild sausage + fresh parsley is perfect. I added a pinch of garlic powder because… why not? Still stayed true to the original and smelled amazing while baking.
Used hot sausage and it was way too salty for my taste. Also I didn’t drain well enough and it got greasy. Still, the flavors were good.
This turned out so flavorful! The apple flavor really shines and the top gets perfectly crisp. I used hot sausage and it was a great kick.
Easy to prepare but taste is just okay. Could use more flavor, maybe more spices?
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about putting apples in stuffing, but wow. It tastes like comfort food with a little brightness. Will make again for sure.
Sausage + Apple???? More like a nightmare! Yuck.
Sausage plus apples? Is that a thing? Who knew! Love it!
Sausage with apples? Nah, that sounds weird… But I guess some people like it?
Absolutely! It’s a classic combo. Sweet and savory is the best! 🍏🧑🍳
So easy to make! I added some nuts and it turned out great! 4 stars from me.
Easy recipe. My only issue was I didn’t drain enough fat from the sausage, so it was a bit greasy. Still, the flavor is solid.
I made this for Thanksgiving and it came out dry on my end. Next time I’ll add a bit more broth/butter and maybe bake covered first. Flavor was still there though.
Ugh, I got a bland stuffing. Maybe I didn’t salt enough? Also my celery stayed kinda crunchy even after 7 minutes. Gonna try again but with more cook time and seasoning.
Easy recipe, but I think it needs more seasoning. Didn’t taste much sage or thyme.
Wow this is comfort food. I didn’t drain enough fat the first time and it got greasy, but when I fixed it, it turned out amazing. Thanks for the method!
Yes!! Draining the fat is the whole game with stuffing like this—glad you caught it the first time and then nailed it. The apples + sage combo really makes it feel like real comfort food.
Pretty solid recipe. Mine came out a little dry even though I followed the timing—next time I’ll probably add a splash more broth. Flavor is great though.
This recipe was super delicious! The apples added a nice touch. I will definitely make it again!
I’m glad you liked it! The apples really do make a difference! 🍏
This sounds like such a cozy holiday-style stuffing. The apple addition is genius—gives it that sweet-savory balance. Going to try mild sausage first.