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Best Southern Sausage Cornbread Dressing

Southern Sausage Cornbread Dressing - featured image
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A moist, savory Southern-style cornbread dressing made with homemade or high-quality cornbread, Italian sausage, and aromatic herbs. This recipe ensures a crispy top and tender interior, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups crumbled day-old cornbread
  • 1 pound sweet or mild Italian sausage
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 2 to 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Crumble the day-old cornbread into a large mixing bowl, aiming for pea-sized pieces.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned and no pink remains (8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving some for flavor.
  4. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add diced onion and celery; sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add dried sage and thyme in the last minute to bloom the spices.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, chicken broth, and black pepper.
  6. Add the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture to the cornbread. Pour the egg and broth mixture over everything. Gently fold until moistened. Do not mash. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb liquid.
  7. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese.
  8. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp.
  10. Let the dressing rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

Use day-old cornbread for best texture; fresh cornbread will make the dressing mushy. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes before baking to ensure the bread absorbs the broth. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southern cornbread dressing, sausage dressing, Thanksgiving side dish, holiday recipes, comfort food, cornbread casserole

Find it online: https://islatable.com/best-southern-sausage-cornbread-dressing-7-easy-steps/