Apple Walnut Sausage Stuffing – An Easy, Flavor-Packed Thanksgiving Recipe

If there’s one dish that always steals the spotlight at Thanksgiving dinner, it’s the stuffing. And this Apple Walnut Sausage Stuffing is pure holiday comfort — a mix of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors baked to golden perfection.

Imagine the aroma of browned sausage, sautéed onions, crisp apples, and toasted bread cubes mingling with warm herbs and buttery goodness. This recipe transforms ordinary stuffing into a gourmet side dish that pairs perfectly with turkey, ham, or even a vegetarian main.

Whether you’re hosting a large family feast or a cozy dinner for two, this easy Thanksgiving stuffing recipe will make everyone come back for seconds.

🦃 Why You’ll Love This Apple Walnut Sausage Stuffing

• Full of texture: Crispy on top, soft and flavorful inside.
• Perfect balance: Sweet apples, savory sausage, and crunchy walnuts come together in harmony.
• Customizable: Works with your favorite sausage or bread type.
• Make-ahead friendly: Assemble it the day before and bake on Thanksgiving morning.
• Crowd-pleasing: Ideal for potlucks, Friendsgiving, or holiday parties.

🍞 Ingredients You’ll Need

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground sausage (pork or turkey)
• 10 cups cubed day-old bread (white, sourdough, or French bread)
• 1 large apple, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (toasted preferred)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried sage (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 2½ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

🔪 Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Toast the Bread:
   If your bread isn’t already dried, spread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10–15 minutes until lightly golden and crisp. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. Cook the Sausage:
   In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease and transfer sausage to a large mixing bowl.
4. Sauté Vegetables and Apples:
   In the same pan, melt butter. Add onion and celery and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add diced apples, poultry seasoning, sage, and thyme; cook for another 3 minutes until fragrant.
5. Combine Everything:
   Add the sautéed mixture, toasted walnuts, and bread cubes to the bowl with the sausage. Toss gently to combine.
6. Add Broth and Eggs:
   Whisk together broth and eggs. Gradually pour over stuffing mixture, tossing until evenly moistened (not soggy — the bread should be damp but still hold shape).
7. Transfer and Bake:
   Spread the stuffing evenly into the prepared dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp.
8. Serve and Garnish:
   Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm alongside turkey, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

Apple Walnut Sausage Stuffing

A sweet and savory Thanksgiving stuffing made with sausage, apples, and walnuts for the perfect mix of texture and flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Thanksgiving

Calories: 290

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sausage pork or turkey
• 10 cups cubed bread day-old or toasted
• 1 large apple peeled and diced
• 1 cup chopped walnuts toasted
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 tsp dried sage or 1 tbsp fresh
• 0.5 tsp dried thyme
• 2.5 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

• Skillet
• Mixing bowls
• Baking dish
• Wooden spoon

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Toast bread cubes if not already dried, 10–15 minutes until crisp.
3. Cook sausage in skillet until browned, then transfer to a bowl.
4. Sauté onions and celery in butter for 5 minutes, then add apples and herbs.
5. Combine sausage, sautéed mixture, walnuts, and bread in a large bowl.
6. Whisk broth and eggs together, pour over mixture, and toss gently.
7. Spread mixture into baking dish. Cover with foil; bake 30 minutes.
8. Uncover and bake 15–20 minutes more until golden and crisp.

Notes

Use slightly stale bread for best texture. To make vegetarian, skip sausage and use vegetable broth.

🌟 Tips for the Perfect Stuffing

• Use day-old bread: Fresh bread makes the stuffing too mushy; slightly stale bread holds up beautifully.
• Toasting walnuts: Brings out their nutty aroma and enhances flavor.
• Make it vegetarian: Omit sausage and use vegetable broth; add mushrooms or lentils for a hearty texture.
• Add moisture wisely: Too much broth will make it soggy; too little will make it dry. Add gradually until it feels evenly moistened.
• Double the batch: This recipe easily doubles for large gatherings.

🍎 Flavor Variations

• Cranberry Apple Sausage Stuffing: Add ½ cup dried cranberries for a sweet-tart burst.
• Maple Pecan Twist: Replace walnuts with pecans and drizzle a bit of maple syrup before baking.
• Herb Lover’s Delight: Add extra rosemary and thyme for deep, aromatic flavor.
• Cheesy Option: Stir in 1 cup shredded Gruyère or cheddar before baking for a rich, gooey stuffing.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use your favorite gluten-free bread — just toast it well before mixing.

🧊 Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

Make Ahead:
Prepare the stuffing up to the baking step, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake as directed, adding 5–10 extra minutes if chilled.

Store Leftovers:
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze for Later:
Freeze baked stuffing in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat covered at 350°F until warm.

Reheat Tip:
Add a splash of broth before reheating to keep it moist.

🕰 Serving Suggestions

This Apple Walnut Sausage Stuffing shines alongside all your Thanksgiving favorites:

• Main dishes: Roast turkey, baked ham, or herb-roasted chicken.
• Sides: Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts.
• Sauces: Classic turkey gravy or a tangy cranberry-orange sauce.
• Salads: A crisp autumn salad with arugula, pears, and goat cheese balances the richness beautifully.

🥂 Perfect Pairings

• Wine: A fruity Pinot Noir or light Chardonnay pairs wonderfully.
• Cocktail: Try an apple cider mimosa or cranberry spritzer for festive flair.
• Non-alcoholic: Warm spiced cider complements the flavors beautifully.

💡 Fun Fact: Stuffing’s Historical Roots

Stuffing (or dressing, depending on where you’re from!) dates back to ancient Rome, where cooks filled roasted animals with mixtures of bread, herbs, and nuts. In colonial America, the addition of local apples and sausages transformed this humble dish into a hearty holiday staple.

Today, recipes like this Apple Walnut Sausage Stuffing keep that rich tradition alive — but with modern ease and flavor twists that make it unforgettable.

💭 Final Thoughts

This Apple Walnut Sausage Stuffing is more than just a side dish — it’s a love letter to Thanksgiving itself. Each bite delivers warmth, comfort, and just the right balance of sweetness and savoriness.

Make it once, and it’ll become your go-to stuffing recipe every holiday season. Serve it fresh from the oven, let that golden top crackle under your fork, and enjoy the cozy satisfaction of a dish that tastes like home.