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    Foody Schmoody Blog Recipes For Everyone » Side Dishes

    Published: Oct 30, 2021 · Modified: Aug 22, 2022 by foodyschmoody ·

    Shortcut Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries

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    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 stuffing recipe was originally published November 2014 and republished with new photos in 2021.

    sausage stuffing cooked in white casserole dish. there is a wooden serving spoon next to casserole dish and a bowl of cranberries on the other side.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please visit my disclosure page

    Jump to:
    • What is the difference between stuffing and dressing
    • Why you'll love this easy stuffing recipe
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving suggestions
    • Variations
    • Shortcut Stuffing FAQ
    • Storage
    • Printable Recipe Card

    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

    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.

    ingredients in prep bowls for stuffing labeled with text

    Instructions

    Step 1: Brown the sausage.

    sausage cooking in skillet with a rubber spatula in pan

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

    wooden spoon stirring stuffing in a pan

    Step 3: Soften celery and onion in butter.

    diced celery and onion in skillet with mixing spoon

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

    skillet with sausage, onion, celery and cranberries being stirred together

    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?

    stuffing combined with all ingredients in white baking dish, ready to be baked
    cooked sausage and cranberry stuffing in white baking dish

    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

    What type of sausage is best?

    Pork sausage with sage seasoning. This is readily available during the holiday season at most grocery stores.

    Is this a make ahead stuffing recipe?

    Yes. You can prepare the sausage, onion and celery mixture ahead of time. When you're ready to bake, simply combine it all together and bake.

    Can this be stuffed in the turkey instead of baked in a dish?

    Yes, this can be stuffed in the turkey. Be sure the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches 165 degrees F.

    Which type of stuffing is best?

    The bagged seasoned cubes work best. You can use mixes like Stove-Top but the texture will be a little different than the cubed. This is a personal preference.

    Storage

    Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    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

    stuffing on wooden spoon over baking dish

    Shortcut Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Cranberries - Printable Recipe

    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.
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 servings
    Calories 371 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 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
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Lovefoodies says

      November 13, 2014 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      This is a lovely recipe! I had to pin it right away! I love the simplicity and the colours, looks perfect! Thank you for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • foodyschmoody says

        November 13, 2014 at 12:20 pm

        Thanks! I love to use shortcuts when they don't compromise the dish!

        Reply
    2. Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says

      November 13, 2014 at 12:54 pm

      I love the idea of cranberries and sausage together. It will be a definite time saver!

      Reply
    3. Nicole Neverman says

      November 13, 2014 at 9:17 pm

      This looks so delicious Christine!! If you had a moment, I would love it if you brought this over to the #PureBlogLove link party (it's open on my blog now!). Feel free to bring along 2 other recipes too 🙂

      Reply
    4. Healing Tomato says

      November 15, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is a great Jump start to the Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner

      Reply
    5. Kelly @ TastingPage says

      November 16, 2014 at 9:44 pm

      So smart to include some shortcuts since time savings at Thanksgiving is a great gift!

      Reply
    6. Dorothy Boucher says

      October 30, 2021 at 9:56 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this yumminess!! I'll definitely try this one out.
      @tisonlyme143

      Reply

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