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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet, leaving behind the rendered fat, and melt butter in the same pan.
- Add diced onions, chopped green beans, and sliced celery to the skillet, sautéing until the vegetables become tender and slightly translucent.
- Incorporate minced garlic, salt, and black pepper into the vegetable mixture, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- 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.
- Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and whole cranberries, creating a rich and creamy base.
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and add the stuffing mix, carefully stirring until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the stuffing to absorb the moisture.
- 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.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with freshly chopped parsley.
- 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