Sausage, Dried Cranberry and Apple Stuffing

Recipe courtesy Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh

Show: Party Line with the Hearty BoysEpisode: Thanksgiving

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (63)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(63)

Cook Time:
30 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
8 to 10 servings

Times:

Prep: 25 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 30 min
Total:: 55 min

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Ingredients

1 pound mild bulk breakfast sausage
4 tablespoons butter
3 cups sliced leeks, white and pale green parts only, cleaned well (about 2 large leeks)
2 Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped
1 cup chopped celery with leaves
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 cup dried cranberries, rehydrated in boiling water for 15 minutes and drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
6 cups boxed bread cubes (croutons)
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 to 3 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Saute the sausage in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, crumbling coarsely with the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage and drippings to a large bowl. Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, apples, celery and poultry seasoning to the skillet and saute until the leeks are soft, about 8 minutes. Mix in the drained cranberries, sage and rosemary. Add the mixture to the sausage, then mix in the croutons and parsley. Next add the chicken stock a little at a time until the stuffing is very moist. Be sure not to overdo it; it shouldn't be mushy. Season with salt and pepper. Place in a casserole dish. (The stuffing can be made to this point 2 days before Thanksgiving, refrigerated.)

Bake in a 14-inch oval or 9 by 13-inch rectangular casserole dish and place, uncovered, in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until the top is crispy and the center piping hot. Remove and serve immediately.

*Cook's Note: If stuffing a turkey, the stuffing must be cold before being placed in the bird.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Sausage, Dried Cranberry and Apple Stuffing
Kristy Wasco, CA 12-30-2008
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Stuffing non-lovers love this!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Held Thanksgiving at my house for the first time. My parents, siblings, etc came here. This went over terrifically. Even... my Dad, who never likes stuffing, enjoyed this...add sausage and he was in =). Even asked for the recipe! (and my family was very honest about all my "first time" Thanksgiving recipe attempts this year so I know they meant it when they said they loved it! My only variation was using Chicken Broth instead of stock.Read more
recipe Sausage, Dried Cranberry and Apple Stuffing
Sheila Laramie, WY 12-26-2008
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Made this the day before and turned out amazing! Very Easy and good!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Fantastic dressing, I will be making this many more times. I love how easy it was and that it can be prepared in advanced... and not get mushy or dried out.Read more
recipe Sausage, Dried Cranberry and Apple Stuffing
Sawyer RSM, CA 12-24-2008
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GREAT!!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I am one that passes on the stuffing each year. However, not this year. This recipe is fabulous. I did not use leeks,... because I couldn't find then in the store, and I used chicken broth. Turned out great. I am in change of the stuffing from now on. Don't add too much broth. A little goes a long way. You can always add more later, but you can't remove it :)Read more
recipe Sausage, Dried Cranberry and Apple Stuffing
Glenn Dumfries, VA 12-09-2008
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WINNER!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was a huge hit at Thanksgiving. I used a sweet onion instead of leaks, sage sausage and I added an extra cup of bread... crumbs as it seems a little too moist. Came out perfect, hit the table and it was GONE!!!! That says it all!Read more
recipe Sausage, Dried Cranberry and Apple Stuffing
Jodi Honolulu, HI 12-01-2008
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EXCELLENT!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made the morning of Thanksgiving to serve with dinner that night. Everyone, loved it! I took one reviewer's suggestion and... used mild Italian sausage. Also, the rosemary flavor is a bit overpowering. Therefore, next time, I think I will use half the amount of poultry seasoning recipe calls for because it already has a bunch of those herbs in it. Fresh rosemary and fresh sage are the best! I would not cut down on those two for anything. Servings says 8-10, so I doubled it because we had 14 people over. WAAAAY too much stuffing. But, if you have a sibling like mine, who took practically all of it for left overs and left me with only a small ziplock bag, then double the recipe.Read more
recipe Sausage, Dried Cranberry and Apple Stuffing
Damon Irvine , CA 12-01-2008
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It was good but.....
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I dont know if I had pungent rosemary or what, but it tasted like I was taking a bite out of a Christmas tree a few... times.......I will make this again, HOWEVER, next time I will use NO ROSEMARY and make sure to dice the other ingredients smaller! All in all pretty good though!! Read more