Description
This Italian Sausage Stuffing Recipe from Scratch is made with Kaiser rolls, eggs, onions, parsley, rosemary, parmesan cheese, Italian sausage, milk, and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 Kaiser rolls or 2 baguettes, preferably stale, cut into bite-size pieces
- 5 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions, diced
- 1 celery stalk
- 8 oz grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- Salt and pepper, as desired
- 1 pound Italian sausage, out of casing
- 4 cups milk
Instructions
- Prepare Bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the Kaiser rolls or baguettes into bite-size pieces. If they are not stale, you can spread them on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 10 minutes.
- Saute Onions and Sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions, celery and sauté until they are translucent and softened. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the beaten eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, poultry seasoning, chopped parsley, chopped rosemary salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add the sautéed onions and sausage to the bowl and mix to combine. Gradually add the bread pieces to the mixture, making sure they are well coated.
- Moisten with Milk: Slowly pour the milk over the mixture, ensuring that it is evenly distributed. The bread should absorb the liquid, creating a moist stuffing consistency. You may need to adjust the amount of milk depending on the bread's absorbency.
- Bake: Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the stuffing is cooked through.
- Serve: Once done, let the stuffing rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley, rosemary and Parmesan cheese if desired and serve alongside your favorite main dishes.
Notes
- Choose the right bread: The type of bread you use for the stuffing can greatly affect its texture and flavor. It's best to use a sturdy bread, such as sourdough, French bread, or a rustic loaf, that can hold up to the moisture from the sausage and other ingredients. Avoid using soft or overly processed bread, as it may become mushy in the stuffing.
- Brown the sausage: Browning the sausage before mixing it with the other stuffing ingredients adds depth of flavor and helps to render out excess fat. It also helps to ensure that the sausage is fully cooked before baking the stuffing in the oven.
- Use quality sausage: Choose a high-quality sausage for the best flavor in your stuffing. You can use sweet or spicy sausage, depending on your preference. If you prefer, you can also make your own sausage from scratch using ground meat and your favorite seasonings.
- Sauté the vegetables: Sautéing the vegetables such as onions, celery, and carrots before adding them to the stuffing mixture can enhance their flavor and help to soften them. This step also helps to remove excess moisture from the vegetables, preventing the stuffing from becoming too soggy.
- Season well: Don't be shy with the herbs and spices! Season your stuffing generously with herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary, as well as salt and pepper, to add depth and complexity to the flavor. You can also add other seasonings like garlic, paprika, or dried fruit for additional flavor.
- Add moisture as needed: The amount of moisture needed in the stuffing can vary depending on the type of bread used and personal preference. If your stuffing seems too dry, you can add some chicken or vegetable broth, melted butter, or even apple cider to moisten it. Be careful not to add too much liquid, as it can make the stuffing too soggy.
- Don't overmix: When combining the stuffing ingredients, be gentle and avoid overmixing. Overmixing can result in a dense and heavy stuffing. Mix just until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Adjust baking time and temperature: The baking time and temperature may vary depending on the recipe and the size of the baking dish. Be sure to follow the recipe instructions for the recommended baking time and temperature, but also keep an eye on the stuffing as it bakes. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it with foil to prevent over-browning.
- Let it rest: Allow the sausage stuffing to rest for a few minutes after baking to set and cool slightly before serving. This will help the flavors to meld together and make it easier to slice or spoon out.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 233.0
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 408.4 mg
- Fat: 13.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.9 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 17.2 g
- Cholesterol: 369.4 mg
