Cranberry Sausage Stuffing Casserole (Printable)
Savory sausage, cranberries, herbs, and bread baked in a creamy egg custard for a festive brunch.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb breakfast sausage, mild or spicy, casings removed
→ Vegetables & Fruits
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 cup dried cranberries
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
→ Bread
06 - 8 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (French, sourdough, or country bread)
→ Dairy & Eggs
07 - 1½ cups whole milk
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 6 large eggs
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Seasonings
12 - 1 teaspoon dried sage
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon salt
15 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving any drippings in the pan.
03 - Add the diced onion and celery to the skillet with the remaining drippings. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes, cooked sausage, sautéed onion and celery, dried cranberries, chopped parsley, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly distributed.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, and melted butter until smooth and well blended.
06 - Pour the egg custard over the bread mixture and toss until all pieces are well coated. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese. Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Cover and refrigerate overnight if preparing ahead.
07 - Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set in the center.
08 - Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet and savory combination catches people off guard in the best way possible.
- It reheats beautifully, making it a gift that keeps on giving through a long weekend.
02 -
- If the bread is too fresh, the cubes will dissolve into mush instead of holding their shape.
- Checking the center with a knife is the only reliable way to know the custard is fully set.
03 -
- Tearing the bread by hand instead of cutting it creates irregular edges that soak up more custard.
- Letting the assembled casserole rest for even twenty minutes before baking improves the texture dramatically.