Stovetop Sausage Stuffing is the best stuffing recipe for the holidays! It’s made on the stove, so you don’t have to worry about it taking up room in your oven. The browned sausage adds so much flavor and you won’t believe that there are only FIVE ingredients in this easy stovetop sausage stuffing recipe!
This Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is a twist on the classic. It’s made with browned pork sausage, celery, onions, herb seasoned stuffing mix, and chicken broth. It’s fluffy, moist and packed with flavor. It’s hard to believe how easy it is with just five ingredients!
Does your family do a similar meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
We always have. Recently, we switched Christmas Eve to being a Mexican Christmas Dinner, but on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, it’s all about roasted turkey and those side dishes we all know and love.
The very first time I hosted Thanksgiving was when we were still living in North Carolina and one of my college best friends and my father-in-law came over for dinner.
Picture a tiny kitchen filled with four people all trying to help cook a Thanksgiving dinner that was way too much food for just four of us to eat.
My father in law offered to make his family’s signature stovetop sausage stuffing.
I’d never been much of a fan of stuffing before, it was always just a little bland or possibly dried out from being cooked in the turkey.
His family’s version was neither bland nor dry. I haven’t made a different Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe since.
This stovetop sausage stuffing recipe is made with browned pork sausage, chopped celery and onions, chicken broth and 
herb seasoned classic stuffing.
The key to making this stuffing is adding the broth slowly, even when you may be worried that there isn’t enough liquid in the pot. If you pour too much at a time it won’t ruin the dish, it just isn’t as airy and fluffy as it should be.
Can stovetop stuffing be made ahead of time?
Yes, make this stovetop sausage stuffing recipe the day before and then reheat in the oven before serving your holiday dinner!
Can you freeze stovetop stuffing?
Yes. Freezing leftover stuffing is a great way to have it ready for the next holiday, too! Stuffing can be frozen for up to two months, so save your leftover Thanksgiving stuffing and use it for your Christmas dinner. To freeze, place in a freezer safe container (I love using 
glass storage containers) after sausage has cooled to room temperature.
Can stovetop stuffing be baked in the oven?
Because the broth needs to be added slowly and not all at once, it really does need to be made on the stovetop instead of baking in the oven. If you cannot make it on the stovetop on the day of, make it the day before and it can be reheated in the oven.
How to make Stovetop Sausage Stuffing
- Dice and chop onions and celery. Set aside.
- Brown sausage in large stove top pan until fully cooked. Remove sausage from pan and place in separate bowl. Do not drain grease.
- Add onions and celery to frying pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes, using a wooden spoon to stir frequently so they do not burn.
- Add sausage back to pan. Then pour in stuffing mix and carefully mix to combine. (You can also do this in a large bowl if your pan isn’t big enough).
- Add chicken broth about 1/2 cup at at time, pouring it over the whole mixture.
- Let simmer until broth runs out. Repeat adding in broth. Do not need to stir the stuffing.
- Place in oven-safe pan to keep warm or serve immediately.
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Stovetop Sausage Stuffing
Stovetop Sausage Stuffing is the best stuffing recipe for the holidays! It's made on the stove, so you don't have to worry about it taking up room in your oven. The browned sausage adds so much flavor and you won't believe that there are only FIVE ingredients in this easy stovetop sausage stuffing recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of celery, chopped
- 1 cup of onions, diced
- 12 ounce bag of herb seasoned stuffing
- 1 lb pork sausage
- 32 ounces of low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Dice and chop onions and celery. Set aside.
- Brown sausage in large stove top pan until fully cooked. Remove sausage from pan and place in separate bowl. Do not drain grease.
- Add onions and celery to frying pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes, using a wooden spoon to stir frequently so they do not burn.
- Add sausage back to pan. Then pour in stuffing mix and carefully mix to combine. (You can also do this in a large bowl if your pan isn't big enough).
- Add chicken broth about 1/2 cup at at time, pouring it over the whole mixture.
- Let simmer until broth runs out. Repeat adding in broth. Do not need to stir the stuffing.
- Place in oven-safe pan to keep warm or serve immediately.
Notes
CAN STOVETOP STUFFING BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?
Yes, make this stovetop sausage stuffing recipe the day before and then reheat in the oven before serving your holiday dinner!
CAN YOU FREEZE STOVETOP STUFFING?
Yes. Freezing leftover stuffing is a great way to have it ready for the next holiday, too! Stuffing can be frozen for up to two months, so save your leftover Thanksgiving stuffing and use it for your Christmas dinner. To freeze, place in a freezer safe container after sausage has cooled to room temperature.
CAN STOVETOP STUFFING BE BAKED IN THE OVEN?
Because the broth needs to be added slowly and not all at once, it really does need to be made on the stovetop instead of baking in the oven. If you cannot make it on the stovetop on the day of, make it the day before and it can be reheated in the oven.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274 Total Fat: 16g Saturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 109mg Sodium: 122mg Carbohydrates: 4g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 2g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 28g
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Katie says
YUM! Stuffing is my favorite part of Thanksgiving. 🙂 My mom and I are going to figure out a way to make GF stuffing so I can enjoy it too. Yours looks so tasty! Happy #blogsgivingdinner!
Madison says
I hope you can find a way to make it GF! I would hate for you to miss out on stuffing- so yummy!
Hayley says
Totally agree that stovetop stuffing is much more moist! I do love stuffing, though! I have never heard of anyone using sausage, but adding breakfast sausage to pretty much anything just makes it more delicious! It adds so much flavor!
Madison says
Y’all should definitely try it! It is so so good! Or just come by my house this weekend and get some leftovers 😉
Nina B says
This looks so good. I love stuffing. And I love using family recipes.
Madison says
Me too!! 🙂
Cassie Lee says
I AM SO HUNGRY. I need to find a good gluten free stuffing!
Madison says
Yes you do!! 🙂
Jenna Owens (@aSavoryFeast) says
Family recipes are the best, especially for the holidays! This stuffing sounds really good. I love the addition of pork sausage. I’ll have to try it!
Madison says
I love them, tried and true is always a weight off my shoulders when you have guests!
SFM says
Stuffing is THE BEST part of the Thanksgiving meal. You can’t not have it. Period. That being said, this looks SO good! I’m loving all of these recipes–such great inspiration!
Madison says
I agree, it’s definitely a must have! 🙂
Britney says
this looks so good! Stuffing is one of my favorite parts of thanksgiving! 🙂
Madison says
Me too! Even though I didn’t like it for years.. I was so weird, what is there not to like!?
Meghan B. says
Ooooo this looks so delish! I LOVE sausage and putting it in stuffing?! GAH so good.
Madison says
I hope you can try it someday!! So tasty 🙂
Becca says
I made a stuffing similar to this one last year and it was a hit! I’ll have to try out your version next!
Madison says
Awesome! It’s a great one 🙂
Erin says
Oh my goodness, Madison! This sounds SO GOOD, and I love that you’re carrying on your husband’s family tradition with this recipe. Don’t ya love being introduced to something SO good that you can’t go back to whatever you knew before?
Madison says
Yes! It’s the best way to discover new recipes 🙂
Gina Alyse says
Wow!! All of this looks delicious! I love stuffing at Thanksgiving. This is making me crave it all right now!
Madison says
Only two more days until you can enjoy all the Thanksgiving deliciousness!
Rachel Walker says
There is nothing better than a family recipe! Those are the ones that I look forward to the most, for sure! This looks so delicious…We don’t usually do stuffing–we’re more of a ‘dressing’ family! I may have to convince Andrew to make this with me this year! YUM!
Madison says
Exactly! They’re always the best 🙂 I never knew that there was a stuffing versus a dressing, but someone explained it to me recently!
Jill says
It’s a lovely tribute to your husband’s grandmother to make this recipe 🙂 Plus is just plain sounds/looks like a great stuffing!
Madison says
It sure it good! 🙂
Kate says
LOVE stuffing…seriously, I can eat it year round, and recipes involving sausage are always my favorite. Your beautiful recipe widget is making me want to switch to WordPress, haha!
Madison says
Ha! It was one of the reasons I wanted to switch!
Susannah Brinkley says
Sausage just belongs in stuffing, in my opinion. My dad has a version that includes a bunch of different kinds of meats, but I love this simpler version. Thank you for the great idea.
Madison says
Oh, that would be interesting, too!
Stacia says
This sounds wonderful! I’ve been on a search for a gluten free stuffing that I can make this year. if I find one, I may have to try this method. Thank you for sharing!
Madison says
You’re not the only one so I’m sure there has to be a recipe out there!
Gennene says
Hi
You didn’t say if you put the packet of seasoning in that comes in the box. Also is one 6oz box enough? One more thing- you didn’t say if you bake it and for how long ? Thanks!
Madison Wetherill says
Hi Gennene!
It’s a stove top recipe, so no baking needed! You can throw it in the oven at the end if you need to keep it warm. This is the kind of stuffing I use and the crumbs are already seasoned. (Link: http://amzn.to/2g8pE1W) It’s a 14 oz bag, so if you’re using a 6 oz bag/box, you’ll need double! Hope that helps!
Teresa | Simply Made Fun says
I love stuffing for Thanksgiving and Christmas! I love your recipe, I’ll have to try it once we get back from CA and do our at-home Christmas celebration!
Sherri says
I agree that sausage is awesome in stuffing! We made a sweet potato sausage one last Thanksgiving and it was so delicious! Love this idea of making a stove top stuffing! You never do have enough room in the oven during the holidays! This looks amazing! 🙂
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Ooh sweet potato and sausage sounds amazing! Thanks so much for the comment!
Liz says
Perfect holiday stuffing recipe! So yummy and simple to make!
Jeffery Ledford says
Well done! Yum-yum.
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Thanks Jeffery! Glad you enjoyed it.
Sue says
Perfect easy, love it 5 star
Rosa Edwards says
Awesome dressing! Thank you.
KromHawk says
How about actual measurable amounts? A package of sausage? What does that mean? Worthless.
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Thanks for the note — I’ve updated the recipe with more specific measurements!
Thankful for Commonsense says
You can’t ask a question any better than that? Maybe you should stick to the Stove Top box! I appreciate the recipe, and unlike rudeass here, I can figure out how much sausage to use. Thanks for your time posting the recipe here.
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
I appreciate the support 🙂 But I do recognize that adding specific measurements does help everyone successfully make the recipe!