Quick & Cozy Savory Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing Casserole Recipe

Sausage and cranberry stuffing casserole brings comfort food to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Hearty ingredients meld together in a warm, inviting dish that captures the essence of home-cooked meals.

Rustic and satisfying, this recipe converts classic side dishes into a robust main course with surprising depth.

Fragrant herbs and rich, savory elements create a culinary experience that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Crispy edges and a tender interior promise a textural adventure for anyone craving a substantial meal.

Traditional flavors get a modern twist in this crowd-pleasing preparation that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and complex tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Savory Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing Casserole That Steals the Show

• Comfort Food Champion: This casserole transforms traditional stuffing into a hearty, one-pan meal packed with savory sausage and surprising cranberry bursts that warm your soul on chilly days.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: Simple skillet-to-oven technique makes this recipe beginner-friendly, requiring minimal cooking skills while delivering maximum flavor without complicated steps.
• Festive Flavor Fusion: Combines classic holiday ingredients like sausage, cranberries, and stuffing mix into a versatile dish perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners that feel special.

Ingredients for a Hearty Holiday Casserole

• Sausage: Hearty meat that provides rich, savory flavor and protein to the casserole. Choose fresh ground pork sausage for best taste and texture.
• Chicken Broth: Creates moisture and deepens the overall flavor profile of the dish. Low-sodium versions work well for better control of saltiness.

• Onions, Celery, Green Beans: Classic mix of vegetables that add texture, nutrition, and depth to the stuffing. Fresh, crisp vegetables will enhance the casserole's overall quality.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic base that complements the sausage and other ingredients. Fresh garlic cloves offer the most intense flavor.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps soften vegetables during cooking. Unsalted butter allows better seasoning control.
• Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream: Creamy components that bind ingredients and create a smooth, luxurious texture. Use full-fat versions for best results.
• Stuffing Mix: Provides classic bread-based structure and traditional stuffing flavor. Pre-seasoned mixes work great for convenience.
• Cranberries: Adds a tart, sweet contrast to the savory elements. Dried cranberries work well in this recipe.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance overall taste.

• Fried Onions: Crispy topping that adds crunch and additional flavor. Store-bought or homemade options work well.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a light herbal note.

How to Layer Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing Right

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Set your oven to 350°F and get ready for a delicious cooking adventure.

Step 2: Cook Sausage

Brown sausage in a large skillet until it’s perfectly crispy and golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

• Onions
• Green beans
• Celery

Cook these veggies until they’re soft and fragrant.

Step 4: Season the Mix

Stir in garlic, salt, and pepper to boost the flavor profile.

Step 5: Create Broth Base

Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up all those delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat.

Step 6: Combine Creamy Elements

• Cream of chicken soup
• Sour cream
• Cranberries

Step 7: Blend Sausage and Stuffing

Return the cooked sausage and stuffing mix to the skillet. Stir everything until well combined.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the mixture to a greased 13″ x 9″ casserole dish.

Step 9: Initial Baking

Cover the dish and bake for 1 hour.

Step 10: Final Touches

Uncover the casserole, sprinkle fried onions on top, and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 11: Garnish and Serve

Finish by sprinkling fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Tips for a Golden, Flavorful Top

• Sauté with Care: Carefully brown sausage to develop deep, rich flavors without burning, ensuring maximum taste in your casserole.
• Layer Ingredients Strategically: Mix stuffing mix and sausage thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly throughout the dish.
• Moisture is Key: Don't overmix when combining ingredients to maintain the perfect texture and prevent a dense, heavy casserole.
• Broth Boost: Use homemade chicken broth for an extra layer of flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Crispy Topping Trick: Wait until the last 10 minutes to add fried onions, preventing them from becoming soggy and ensuring a crunchy, golden finish.

How to Store and Reheat Stuffing Casserole

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled casserole to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the crispy fried onion topping separate to maintain its crunch.
• Freeze: Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Label with the date to track freshness. Avoid freezing with the crispy onion topping.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in a preheated 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle fresh fried onions on top during the last 5 minutes of heating to restore the crispy texture.

What to Serve with Savory Cranberry Casserole

• Boost Wine Harmony: Pair this hearty casserole with a medium-bodied Pinot Noir, whose fruity notes complement the cranberries and rich sausage perfectly.
• Craft Beer Companion: Select an amber ale or brown ale with malty undertones that match the savory depth of the stuffing and provide a crisp counterpoint.
• Fresh Salad Balance: Create a light herb-dressed mixed green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's richness and add refreshing contrast.
• Crisp Side Suggestion: Serve roasted Brussels sprouts with a touch of balsamic glaze to enhance the dish's rustic flavors and provide textural variation.

Flavor Combinations to Shake Things Up

• Vegetarian Harvest Casserole: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms, maintaining the same herbs and spices. Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and use dairy-free cream alternatives.
• Mediterranean Green Bean Bake: Incorporate feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Add oregano and swap cranberries for roasted red peppers for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Casserole: Mix in diced green chiles, jalapeños, and swap cranberries for corn kernels. Use pepper jack cheese and sprinkle cilantro on top for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Holiday Herb Fusion: Add fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage to enhance the seasonal taste. Include diced apples for natural sweetness and swap green beans with roasted Brussels sprouts for a more complex vegetable mix.

Savory Sausage And Cranberry Stuffing Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing Casserole brings Wisconsin comfort to holiday tables with hearty sausage and tangy cranberries. Rich layers of herbed bread, sweet-tart fruit, and sage-infused meat create a memorable side dish that makes dinner complete.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground sausage

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 cups fresh green beans
• ¾ cup (120 grams) celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2.5 cups (590 milliliters) chicken broth
• 10.5 ounces (298 grams) condensed cream of chicken soup
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) sour cream
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 14 ounces (397 grams) stuffing mix
• ½ cup crispy fried onions

Seasonings and Garnish:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, to garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare a 13-inch by 9-inch (33-centimeter by 23-centimeter) casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly cook the ground sausage until it’s browned and crumbly, breaking it into small pieces while cooking.
3. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet, leaving behind the rendered fat, and melt butter in the same pan.
4. Add diced onions, chopped green beans, and sliced celery to the skillet, sautéing until the vegetables become tender and slightly translucent.
5. Incorporate minced garlic, salt, and black pepper into the vegetable mixture, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
6. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any caramelized bits from the bottom of the pan, enhancing the dish’s depth of flavor.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and whole cranberries, creating a rich and creamy base.
8. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and add the stuffing mix, carefully stirring until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
9. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the stuffing to absorb the moisture.
11. Uncover the casserole, sprinkle crispy fried onions on top, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to create a golden, crunchy topping.
12. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with freshly chopped parsley.
13. Serve hot as a hearty side dish or main course, perfect for holiday gatherings or family dinners.

Notes

• Prepare this hearty casserole ahead of time by assembling everything except the fried onion topping, then refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Swap regular sausage with spicy Italian sausage or turkey sausage for a flavor twist that keeps the dish exciting.
• Fresh herbs like thyme or sage can elevate the overall taste profile, adding depth to the classic stuffing combination.
• Leftover casserole stays delicious for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep.
• Choose low-sodium chicken broth and reduced-fat cream of chicken soup to lighten up this comforting dish without sacrificing flavor.
• Vegetarian guests can replace sausage with mushrooms or plant-based sausage alternatives for a similar texture and taste experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 458 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 1245 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg