This made-from-scratch, savory cornbread sausage stuffing recipe is filled with sage, thyme, and Italian chicken sausage.

Cornbread Sausage Stuffing

I didn’t grow up eating cornbread stuffing. My mom always made this stuffing with French bread, and I’ve been making this sausage stuffing year after year. But I wanted to test a cornbread stuffing and think it turned out great as a gluten-free alternative. For more healthy stuffing recipes, try my Chicken Sausage-Brown Rice Stuffing and Stuffing Muffins. And I have more Thanksgiving recipe ideas here if you need them!

I tested this stuffing recipe several times. On my first attempt, I bought already- made cornbread, but it had too much butter and sugar, so I didn’t care for it. So, I knew I would have to make the cornbread from scratch. I added a little honey to the cornbread because it balanced the sausage, but it’s not sweet.

Do you put eggs in sausage stuffing?

Yes, you’ll need eggs for homemade stuffing. They help bind everything together and make the texture fluffy.

Cornbread Stuffing Ingredients

• Cornbread: Course yellow cornmeal, all-purpose or gluten-free flour, baking powder, salt, fat-free or dairy-free milk, honey, oil, eggs
• Sausage: I used sweet Italian chicken sausage, but turkey would also work.
• Onions: You’ll need three cups, which is about two onions.
• Celery: Chop six to seven celery ribs for three cups.
• Fresh Herbs: Parsley, thyme, sage
• Salt and Pepper for seasoning
• Broth: Choose reduced-sodium chicken broth.
• Eggs for binding and texture

Should I dry cornbread for stuffing?

You want the cornbread to be dried out before adding it to the stuffing, so it won’t be mushy. If you make the cornbread ahead, leave it out overnight. In my recipe, I included a step to bake the cubed bread as a shortcut to getting stale bread.

How to Make Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage

• Make the Cornbread: Whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center, and add milk, eggs, honey, and oil. Stir until the mixture comes together, and only a few lumps remain. Pour the batter into a 9-inch round cake pan sprayed with oil, and bake at 400°F for 22 to 24 minutes. Once it cools, cut it into cubes.
• Dry Out the Cornbread: Put the cubed cornbread on a large sheet pan and bake at 300°F for 35 minutes until lightly toasted firm. Cool the bread and transfer it to a large bowl.
• Cook Sausage and Veggies: Brown the sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and parsley, and cook for about 12 minutes. Next, add the thyme, sage, salt, and pepper, and cook for five minutes.
• Combine the onion mixture with the cornbread, drizzle the broth over the stuffing, and toss gently. Pour the stuffing into an oiled 9” x 12” baking dish, and bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes.

How to Make Ahead Cornbread Sausage Stuffing

You can make ahead cornbread stuffing so you have less to do on Thanksgiving Day. I recommend baking the cornbread a few days in advance, or you could even do it a couple of weeks early and freeze it cubed. You can also cook the sausage-veggie mixture a day or two early. When you’re ready to cook the stuffing, combine the cornbread and sausage and follow the baking instructions.

How to Freeze Stuffing

Leftovers will last up to four days in the fridge or three months frozen in airtight containers or plastic bags. Thaw it overnight and microwave until warm.

Variations

• Cornbread: If you want to make the cornbread from a box, you’ll need nine cups of cubed bread for this stuffing.
• Herbs: Swap rosemary for thyme.
• Sausage: Substitute turkey sausage for chicken.

More Thanksgiving Sides You’ll Love:

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