Shortcut Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries

Crispy on top and just soft enough underneath, no one will guess this Shortcut Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries started with a store-bought mix.

This easy dressing recipe is easy enough that you can prepare it any time of year, no need to wait until Thanksgiving if you're hankering a good comfort side dish!

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This boxed stuffing mix upgrade results in a savory stuffing with just the right amount of tart from the dried cranberries.

No more guessing if your bread is dry enough to make stuffing or if the seasoning is right. All the guess work is done for you in the mix!

This easy shortcut stuffing makes the perfect side dish to your Thanksgiving turkey!

This stuffing recipe is easy enough for learning how to make stuffing if it is your first time hosting Thanksgiving but after you've mastered it, you'll continue to serve it year after year.

What is the difference between stuffing and dressing

Stuffing is stuffed into the turkey.

Dressing is baked and served alongside.

This is technically a dressing.

That being said, growing up, my mom called it stuffing and it stuck.

I can't break the habit, so I'm still calling it stuffing. Let's just agree I'm wrong and move along, shall we? No need to send me a message about it.

Why you'll love this easy stuffing recipe

• it's easy (obviously)
• you can prep the sausage ahead of time
• easy to find ingredients
• no drying out bread for days on the counter
• it's delicious

Speaking of this recipe being easy, you know what else is easy? Using an air fryer! Yes, you can do that. Find out how with this recipe for Easy Air Fryer Southern Dressing.

Equipment

• large skillet / fry pan
• large baking dish / casserole dish

Ingredients

• store-bought stuffing mix
• bulk sausage - preferably the sage seasoned, you can find this around the holidays
• dry cranberries / craisins
• celery
• onion
• stock - vegetable, turkey or chicken
• salt & pepper
• butter

See printable recipe card for a complete list with amounts.

A note about the store-bought stuffing mix. The kind you buy will have an impact on the final result.

Something like a Stove Top Stuffing tends to have a finer crumb. Then there are the bags from brands like Pepperidge Farms and those have more of a small crouton texture that tends to hold the shape.

I'm not saying one is better than the other but that texture is important to some, so worth a mention.

If you are more of a cornbread stuffing person, check out this recipe for Old Fashioned Sage Cornbread Dressing.

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the sausage.

Step 2: While sausage is cooking, prepare stuffing mix by heating stock and stirring it into dry stuffing mix.

Step 3: Soften celery and onion in butter.

Step 4: Combine everything. Place in a prepared baking dish and bake in pre-heated oven.

If you want to go all out and forget calories, toss a few pats of butter over the top before baking. We don't count calories on Thanksgiving anyway, right?

Serving suggestions

Main Dishes

• Turkey
• Roast Chicken
• Ham

Sides

• Green Bean Casserole
• Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Green Beans

Variations

• turkey giblets - toss them in with the sausage
• bacon instead of sausage
• green apple
• pumpkin cubes

Shortcut Stuffing FAQ

Storage

Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

If you want to send your guests home with leftovers, don't risk losing your good containers, stock up on these disposable leftover containers!

Use your leftover stuffing in recipes like:

• Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
• Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
• Day after Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

Because you'll be saving so much time making this Shortcut Thanksgiving Stuffing, you'll have plenty of time to put together this holiday sangria!

Printable Recipe Card

Shortcut Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries

foodyschmoody

No one needs to know that this savory, slightly tart Thanksgiving stuffing starts with a store bought mix. The ultimate upgrade to boxed stuffing. Perfect next to Thanksgiving turkey.

4.63 from 8 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 9 servings

Calories 371 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 pound bulk pork sausage sage seasoned variety
• 14 ounce bag seasoned stuffing mix
• 2 Cup vegetable stock or chicken or turkey stock
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 small sweet onion diced
• 2 ribs celery diced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• ½ Cup craisins dried cranberries
• Butter for coating baking dish

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a large skillet, cook sausage until browned and cooked through over medium-high heat. Drain sausage and set aside.
• While sausage is cooking, bring 2 C vegetable stock to a boil. Remove from heat and gently stir in stuffing mixture. Set aside.
• Wipe out skillet with a paper towel and return to stove over medium-high heat. Melt 1 T butter in skillet and add onions and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until softened. Turn off heat. Stir sausage back into skillet with vegetables. Next, stir in craisins. Finally, gently fold in stuffing mix.
• Prepare a large baking dish with butter. Pour mixture into baking dish and cover. Bake 25 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until top is crunchy.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 13gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 1235mgPotassium: 304mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 229IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 2mg

Keyword holiday, pork, shortcut, stuffing, thanksgiving

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