This is the family-favorite recipe taken from my cookbook, “MaMa Mia Cucina”, a recipe passed down through the generations and now to each of you. This is tradition. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
Ingredients you will need for this recipe:
- sweet Italian sausage
- butter
- one large onion
- celery
- mushrooms
- one carrot
- one apple
- thyme
- sage
- parsley
- garlic salt
- salt & pepper
- unseasoned bread crumbs
- chicken stock
As demonstrated on NBC WCNC Charlotte Today:
Traditional Italian Sausage Stuffing for Turkey
1 pound of sweet sausage (without skin)
1 stick of butter
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 small carrot, diced
1 apple, chopped, optional
1 tablespoon dried thyme, or 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage, or 2 teaspoons fresh sage
1 tablespoon dried parsley, or 2 tablespoons of fresh-chopped parsley
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
15 oz. bag of unseasoned bread cubes
1-1/2 cups homemade or canned chicken stock
In a large skillet, crumble sausage and cook well. Drain of all fat and set the cooked sausage aside. Add butter to the skillet and sauté adding in the onion, celery, mushrooms, carrots (and apple-optional). Saute’ all until tender and cooked through. Remove all and add to a large bowl.
To a large bowl, add vegetables, seasonings, cooked sausage, bread cubes and chicken broth. Thoroughly combine well. Reserve 4 cups to stuff a 14-18 pound turkey. Place remaining stuffing in a buttered casserole pan. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
I remember Thanksgiving being more about the stuffing than about the turkey! This is our traditional family favorite ~ Enjoy!
Notes:
Serve up as a side dish or stuffed in a vegetable if you simple want to roast your bird. A nice presentation. Easy!
Vegetarian Options: Omit the sausage and substitute a vegetable broth. Great vegetarian options would be to stuff portabella mushrooms or a squash of your choice. Bake.
Gluten-free Options: Substitute gluten-free bread for traditional. Also, if you purchase chicken stock, read the labels to ensure the ingredients are gluten-free.