• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Life Jolie logo
  • Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Work with me!
    • Video Production
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Work with me!
    • Video Production
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    The Life Jolie » Sides » Sausage and Cornbread Dressing

    Sausage and Cornbread Dressing

    Published: Sep 23, 2021 · Modified: Aug 31, 2022 by Jessy Freimann · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Whether you call in dressing or stuffing, this classic Sausage and Cornbread Dressing is a sure fire way to turn a believer into a stuffing lover! This easy side dish is a must-have at any Thanksgiving table!

    Whether you call it dressing or stuffing, this classic Sausage and Cornbread Dressing recipe is a sure fire way to turn a non-believer into a stuffing lover! This is a must-have at any Thanksgiving table!

    Looking for some other holiday side dish recipes? Try these: Brussels Sprouts Salad, Grandma's Baked Artichoke Hearts, Easy Garlic GreenBeans and Savory Sweet Potato Casserole.

    A plate focusing on sausage stuffing with turkey and green beans in the background of it.

    Cornbread Dressing

    I've never been much of a dressing fan. I find most dressing recipes to be a bit too mushy for my taste, and I'd generally rather have an extra helping of mashed potatoes. But I have to say, this cornbread stuffing recipe that I'm going to share with you today has totally changed my mind about stuffing.

    Now admittedly, it took me several tests to get this recipe just right. The flavor was there from the start, but I just couldn't get my texture the way I wanted it, which is a slightly crispy top and soft and fluffy in the middle, without being mushy. Four tests and a whole lot of homemade dressing later, I feel confident that I (finally) nailed it.

    A spoon in a pan of cornbread stuffing.

    Tips for how to make cornbread dressing

    • Make the cornbread the night before and leave it out all night so that it gets slightly stale.
    • In the interest of eliminating unnecessary dishes for you to wash, I do most of the cooking in saute pan. Although you will need a medium bowl to hold the sausage while the onions and celery begin cooking, all the remaining steps occur in the saute pan.
    A close up overhead image of featuring the texture of cornbread stuffing.

    Helpful Ingredient Information

    • Cornbread: I like to use Jiffy cornbread mixes to make my cornbread because it's super easy, but if you would rather make a different favorite recipe, just know that this recipe calls for two 8 inch pans of cornbread.
    • Sausage: I like to use pork sausage for this but if you want to make it healthier, feel free to use poultry sausage.
    • Vegetables: Onions and celery add delicious flavor and texture. I saute them in the grease from the sausage and a little butter to really maximize the flavor.
    • Seasonings: The combination of ground sage, dried thyme, kosher salt and black pepper really bring it all together!
    • Chicken (or turkey broth): I use broth the add moisture to the dressing because I don't use it to stuff my turkey. If you plan to stuff your turkey with this, omit the broth.

    Do I have to dry out cornbread for stuffing?

    Technically you don't, but I think it creates the very best texture if you do (I'm a person who cannot stand mushy stuffing).

    How long do I cook sausage stuffing in the oven?

    I bake this for a total of 45 minutes- 30 minutes covered and then another 15 minutes without the cover.

    Can I make stuffing ahead of time? 

    Yes! You have two options. You can prepare it all the way up to baking and refrigerate until you're ready to bake (before serving). You may need to adjust the bake time to make sure it warms though. The other option is to prepare it and then reheat it prior to serving.

    Can I stuff my turkey with this instead of baking it in a pan? 

    Yes! If you're planning on stuffing the bird with it, you'll want to omit the chicken broth. This makes enough stuffing to fill one 12 lb. - 14 lb. bird.

    What is the difference between stuffing and dressing? 

    Technically, stuffing is stuffed into another food, in this case a turkey. Dressing is baked in a pan. But so many use the words interchangeably, including myself.

    Leftovers:

    This will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator after it's been cooked.

    Ingredients that can be prepped ahead:

    • Chop onions
    • Chop celery
    • Make cornbread
    An overhead image of cornbread dressing with a spoon in it on a thanksgiving napkin with onions and thyme around it.

    Helpful tools:

    1. Chef's knife
    2. Cutting board
    3. Measuring cups
    4. Measuring spoons
    5. Large saute pan
    6. Wooden spoon
    7. 9 x 13 pan
    A white plate with stuffing in the front and turkey and green beans on it as well.

    Hosting Thanksgiving?

    Discover the secret to hosting Thanksgiving without all the stress! Prepsgiving is your FREE guide to making a delicious Thanksgiving feast the easy way.

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!

    Whether you call in dressing or stuffing, this classic Sausage and Cornbread Dressing is a sure fire way to turn a believer into a stuffing lover! This easy side dish is a must-have at any Thanksgiving table!

    Sausage and Cornbread Dressing

    Jessy Freimann
    Whether you call in dressing or stuffing, this classic Sausage and Cornbread Dressing is a sure fire way to turn a believer into a stuffing lover! This is a must-have at any Thanksgiving table!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • Cooking spray
    • 1 pound pork sausage
    • 1 Tablespoon salted butter
    • 2 cups onion, finely diced (around 2 medium onions)
    • 3-4 large celery ribs, finely diced
    • ½ teaspoon ground sage
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 8 inch pans prepared, day-old corn bread, (I made 2 pans of Jiffy corn bread the day before and left it out all night)
    • 1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth (omit this if you're using this as stuffing- it makes enough to stuff a 12-14 pound bird)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray and set aside.
    • In a large saute pan, saute the sausage over medium-high heat using a wooden spoon to break it up into bite-size pieces, stirring often until brown, about 10 minutes.
    • Remove the sausage crumbles from the pan, into a side bowl and melt butter in the empty pan.
    • Add onions and celery and season with sage, thyme, salt and pepper. Saute stirring often until soft, about 5 minutes.
    • Stir sausage back into the pan and crumble both corn breads into the pan.
    • Add broth and stir well to combine.
    • Pour the corn bread mixture into the greased 9" x 13" pan and cover with foil.
    • Bake for 30 minutes.
    • Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes.
    • Serve immediately.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Stovetop Mac and Cheese
    How to Roast Garlic »
    • Share
    • Flipboard
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Jessy in a kitchen holding a white casserole pan and smiling.
    Hi, I'm Jessy!

    Welcome to The Life Jolie! I share simple, delicious recipes and ingredient prep tips to make your weeknight cooking a breeze!

    More about me →

    Fall Recipes

    • Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Fall Apart Slow Cooker Pork Chops
    • Roasted Spatchcock Glazed Turkey with Bourbon
    • Baked Brie Phyllo Cups
    • Candied Pecans

    Popular Recipes

    • How to Melt Chocolate Chips in the Kitchen
    • Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
    • Very Best Shrimp Macaroni Salad Recipe
    • Cheese Sauce for Broccoli Recipe
    • Reader Request: Copycat Cheesecake Factory Thai Lettuce Wraps
    • Greek Yogurt Roasted Chicken Thighs Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy + Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Video Production

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright 2014-2021 - Jolie Ventures, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.