Name: Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups (400g) store-bought unseasoned stuffing cubes; 2¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 large egg, beaten; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1½ cups diced yellow onion (from 1 large onion); 1 cup diced celery (from 3 celery stalks); 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage (sausage with casings removed); 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary; 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage; ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley; 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter

If you’re on the hunt for a comforting, crowd-pleasing side that’s loaded with flavor yet super simple to pull together, I can’t recommend this Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe enough. I absolutely love how this stuffing strikes the perfect balance between savory sausage, fresh herbs, and that irresistible crunchy top everyone fights over. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday feast or just want to elevate a weeknight dinner, you’re going to want to stick around for this one.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast and Easy Prep: This recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Ultimate Comfort Food: The savory sausage and fresh herbs make this stuffing deeply flavorful and satisfying.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it a day in advance, so it’s perfect for busy holidays or when guests are coming over.
Proven Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this every time I make it — it’s always the first side dish to disappear.

A rectangular white ceramic baking dish with handles on each side holds a baked dish made of roughly torn bread pieces mixed with herbs. The bread pieces are golden brown with some darker toasted spots, and the mixture looks slightly crumbly with a textured surface. Small flecks of green herbs are scattered throughout the bread chunks, and the dish fills the baking dish to the top. The white marbled surface beneath the dish adds a clean and simple background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here work in harmony to create a stuffing that’s moist, flavorful, and full of texture. Using store-bought unseasoned bread cubes makes this recipe so much easier, while fresh herbs really lift the flavors — don’t skip those!

Unseasoned stuffing cubes: Store-bought saves time and ensures the perfect bread base; look for crisp cubes that will soak up all the flavors without turning mushy.
Unsalted butter: Gives the veggies a rich start and lets you control the salt content precisely.
Yellow onion: Adds a natural sweetness that balances the sausage’s savoriness.
Celery: Provides crunch and freshness, a classic in any stuffing.
Garlic cloves: Because garlic makes everything better — finely chopped so it infuses without overpowering.
Bulk sweet Italian sausage: Removing casings is easy and frees up the sausage to crumble perfectly throughout the stuffing.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Keeps the stuffing moist with control over sodium levels.
Large egg: Acts as a binder, helping everything stick together.
Fresh rosemary: Pinch of piney brightness; fresh is far better than dried here.
Fresh sage: Earthy and aromatic, sage is a hallmark herb for stuffing.
Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbal flavor.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Season to taste — I always recommend starting small and adjusting as you mix.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on the season or what I have on hand. Feel free to tweak it — it’s very forgiving, and you’ll find that little swaps can make it uniquely yours.

Use turkey sausage: I’ve tried swapping out pork sausage for turkey, and it’s lighter but still delicious — perfect if you want to cut some fat.
Add mushrooms: When I want extra earthiness, I sauté chopped mushrooms along with onions and celery — it’s a game-changer!
Mix in dried fruit: Toss in some dried cranberries or chopped apples for a subtly sweet contrast that’s especially nice around the holidays.
Make it gluten-free: Swap the bread cubes for a gluten-free mix or use cornbread cubes to keep a comforting texture.

How to Make Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Veggies to Flavor Town

Start by melting your butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add diced onions and celery, cooking for about 8 minutes until everything softens and smells amazing. Then stir in the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Scrape up those browned bits—you’ll want all those flavor-packed little pieces mixed in with your bread cubes later. Trust me, this little step makes a big difference.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage Beautifully

Without washing the pan, add the bulk sweet Italian sausage and cook over medium heat until it’s fully browned and broken into small pieces—about 8 to 10 minutes. Breaking it into bite-size bits makes every forkful flavorful without giant chunks stealing the show. I learned this trick the hard way! Once cooked, toss the sausage and its flavorful fat right into your bread and veggie mix.

Step 3: Mix It All Up and Bake to Perfection

Now comes the fun part: add chicken broth, beaten egg, fresh rosemary, sage, parsley, salt, and pepper to your bread, veggies, and sausage. Gently stir everything until the stuffing cubes are nicely moistened — not swimming, just soft and cozy. Transfer the mixture to a buttered 9 x 13-inch baking dish, then bake uncovered at 350°F for 65 to 75 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a deep golden brown with crispy edges — that’s the kind of texture I dream about!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe

Don’t Skip the Bulk Sausage: Removing the casings from regular sausage is easy and gives you that perfect crumbly texture that clings to every bread cube.
Mind the Broth Amount: If your stuffing looks too dry after mixing, add a splash more broth gradually — it should be moist but not soggy.
Fresh Herbs Make All the Difference: I used to use dried herbs out of convenience, but fresh rosemary, sage, and parsley bring a brightness that lifts the whole dish.
Go Light on Stirring Before Baking: Overmixing can break down the bread cubes too much, so stir gently to keep nice pieces intact.

How to Serve Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered stuffing made from toasted bread pieces that are golden brown with some darker toasted spots, mixed with green herbs and bits of browned sausage. The top layer looks crunchy and textured, while underneath the stuffing appears softer and moister. A silver spoon rests in the dish near a section where some stuffing has been scooped out. The dish is set on a white marbled surface, and a brown cloth is visible to the right side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a bit of fresh parsley on top right before serving because it adds a lovely pop of green and fresh flavor. Sometimes, I like to add a little drizzle of melted butter or even a few dried cranberries for a festive touch — they brighten the plate and the palate.

Side Dishes

This stuffing pairs perfectly with roast turkey or chicken, and I love serving it alongside green beans almondine or roasted Brussels sprouts. Mashed potatoes are a classic match too — the creamy texture alongside the crisp-topped stuffing is absolute comfort heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes bake the stuffing in individual ramekins or a collection of mini cast-iron skillets to give each guest their own crispy, golden portion. It feels extra special and looks beautiful on the table without much extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your meal, cool any leftover stuffing to room temperature and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. In my experience, it stays great for up to 3 days. Leftovers are often even better the next day once the flavors have had a chance to meld!

Freezing

I’ve frozen baked stuffing wrapped tightly in foil and then in plastic wrap. It holds up well for about 3 months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating to keep that texture right.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover the stuffing with foil and pop it in a 325°F oven until warmed through—usually about 20-30 minutes from chilled. The foil traps moisture so the stuffing doesn’t dry out, and a few minutes uncovered at the end can bring back some crunch.

FAQs

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh in this Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe?

You can, but fresh herbs really elevate the flavor here. If you use dried, reduce the amount to about one-third since they’re more concentrated, and add them earlier in the cooking process to allow time for flavor development.
What if I can’t find bulk Italian sausage?

No worries! Just buy regular Italian sausage links and remove the casings yourself. It’s easier than it sounds—just slice open the casing and squeeze or tease the meat out before browning. This method lets you get that perfect crumbly texture.
Can I prepare this stuffing in advance?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire stuffing up to a day ahead, keep it covered and refrigerated, then bake it fresh when you’re ready. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since the stuffing will be cold going into the oven.
How can I make this stuffing gluten-free?

Try substituting the bread cubes for gluten-free bread or cornbread cubes. Just make sure your sausage and broth are also gluten-free. The texture and flavor are still fantastic — I’ve done this for friends with dietary restrictions and it’s always a hit.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen — it’s the kind of recipe I pull out whenever I want something both comforting and impressive without a ton of fuss. I love sharing it with friends because it’s always a hit, and I bet once you try it, your family will be asking for it again and again. Give it a go next time you want to wow your guests or just treat yourself to the ultimate cozy side dish!