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Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe in white dish with sausage
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5 from 2 votes

Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe

This old fashioned Thanksgiving dressing recipe brings the heartwarming essence of Thanksgiving to the table. With wholesome sautéd vegetables, tender sausage, and slightly sweet apples, this recipe embodies the flavors of fall that leaves everyone reaching for seconds.
Made in under 40 minutes it's easy yet impressive. So whether you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner or having a cozy family dinner, this stuffing makes a nostalgic, yet easy, homely side dish to any holiday meal.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dressing, old fashioned, thanksgiving
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 202kcal
Author: Chandice
Cost: $15

Ingredients

  • 1 pound breakfast sausage
  • 7 slices bread (we love gluten free)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2/3 cup apple chips chopped
  • 1/4 cup onion diced
  • 1/2 cup carrots diced
  • 1/3 cup shaved or diced Brussels sprouts
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • dash cracked black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Fry sausage in a pan with salt, onion and garlic powder and black pepper, making sure to crumble the sausage
  • Add butter then saute carrots, onion, apple, Brussels sprouts and chopped rosemary until vegetables are softened and sausage cooked through
    Old fashioned thanksgiving dressing with apples and sausage uncooked veggies with cooked sausage in large skillet
  • Meanwhile, dice the bread into cubes and spread out onto a baking sheet
    Old fashioned thanksgiving dressing with apples and sausage sliced bread
  • Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees
    Old fashioned thanksgiving dressing with apples and sausage cubed bread on a baking sheet image
  • Place bread cubes, sausage mixture and apples into a baking dish
  • Pour 1 cup chicken broth over everything evenly
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes
    Old fashioned thanksgiving dressing with apples and sausage

Notes

Variations

There are tons of different ways to customize this recipe to your liking. You can also easily cater to any dietary restrictions. 
  • Gluten-free - Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free bread. I think that gluten-free sourdough bread works best but any will do. 
  • Dairy-free - For a dairy free stuffing recipe, swap the butter for vegan butter or olive oil. 
  • Vegetarian - Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit the sausage for a vegetarian stuffing. If you omit the sausage you won't need as much liquid. 
  • Additional ingredients - Shallots, celery, fresh sage, chestnuts, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, peppers, and diced potatoes make great additions to this easy dressing recipe. These ingredients are optional and up to personal preferences. 

Storage

Storing - Leftover stuffing can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let the dressing cool to room temperature before storing. Reheat in a skillet with butter and chicken stock or in the microwave.
Freezing - You can freeze leftover dressing in a freezer bag or airtight container for 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave or stovetop when you're ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 518mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1026IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg