Healthy Cornbread Sausage Stuffing

This Healthy Cornbread Sausage Stuffing is a breeze to make! With 15 minutes of prep time and layers of flavor, this recipe is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu. 

If I had to choose one thing to eat at Thanksgiving, it would always be the stuffing, and my favorite is stuffing made with sausage and cornbread. The sweetness of the cornbread with the savory sausage and some tart cranberries immediately gets me in the holiday spirit.

With that said, one thing I don't love about stuffing, especially sausage stuffing, is that it can be really heavy. Between all the butter and higher calorie pork sausage, it is a dish that can easily top 500 calories a serving. This healthier option has the same amazing flavor but is much lighter.

What makes this recipe the perfect healthy twist is the use of chicken sausage and fresh herbs and veggies for flavor instead of butter. The sweet Italian chicken sausage, fresh herbs, and sautéed veggies bring layers of savory goodness without added fat. Paired with cornbread, this casserole has that cozy holiday vibe that’ll have everyone going back for seconds!

Here's Why You'll Love It

Once you try this recipe, you'll forget about traditional stuffing forever!

• Healthy twist: Chicken sausage and herbs provide so much flavor to this dish that you won't even miss the pork and butter!
• Flavorful: Using fresh herbs gives this stuffing a ton of flavor without relying on fat.
• Easy and make ahead friendly: Pre-made cornbread mix makes this stuffing super low-maintenance and stress-free!

Ingredients and Substitutions

This hearty casserole is packed with flavor! Here's what you need to make it:

• Vegetables: I make a flavorful base using onion, celery, and garlic. Since there's not a ton of fat in this dish, the veggies help create flavor, so you don't want to skip these!
• Lean sweet Italian chicken sausage links: I like to use a sweet Italian chicken sausage since it has a touch of sweetness and lots of herbs like fennel, thyme, and sage. You want to use a flavorful sausage since this will give the stuffing a ton of flavor without adding too many calories. Pork sausage would also work – just make sure it’s a lean option if you want to keep things light.
• Fresh herbs: I like to use fresh thyme and sage, but you can add any fresh herbs you like. Many people like using parsley, rosemary, or marjoram. You can also substitute poultry seasoning, which has all the herbs mentioned (minus parsley), plus nutmeg and black pepper.
• Cornbread stuffing mix (without spice packets): I usually take the shortcut here and use store-bought dried cubed bread made for stuffing. You won't need the spice packet that comes with it, just the dried bread. You can also use homemade cornbread, just make sure to dry it out in the oven.
• Dried cranberries: These add a festive touch and a bit of a tart flavor. I wouldn’t suggest using fresh cranberries, but other dried fruits like cherries, raisins, or apricots would work perfectly!
• Chicken broth: Make sure to choose a really flavorful chicken stock or broth. This is another place where you are building flavor. Bland chicken broth means bland stuffing.

How to Make Healthy Cornbread Sausage Stuffing

This recipe has a few basic steps to make the best Cornbread Sausage Stuffing!

1. Sauté the Veggies

Start by melting butter in a large skillet. Add the onions and celery, letting them soften until they’re nice and tender. Then, toss in some garlic for an extra layer of flavor.

2. Cook the Sausage

Take the sausage out of its casing and add it to the pan with the veggies. Break it up and cook until it’s browned and fully cooked through.

3. Mix Everything Together

In a large bowl, combine the sausage mixture, cornbread stuffing, and cranberries. Pour in chicken broth to moisten everything and mix well.

4. Bake

Transfer the stuffing mix to a baking dish. Bake in the oven until the top is golden and everything is heated through.

Recipe Tips and Variations

There are lots of ways to customize this cornbread sausage stuffing and make it your own unique holiday dish.

• Add nuts: Add some crunch with toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds. Fold them in with the dried cranberries and sprinkle some extra on top.
• Try different herbs: Switch out the thyme and sage for any fresh or dried herbs you like. Many people enjoy adding parsley to their stuffing.
• Make it spicy: Choose a spicy Italian chicken sausage for a spicy option. It's a great way to create a tiny hint of heat.
• Use homemade cornbread: If you prefer homemade bread in your stuffing, bake some cornbread a few days before. Cut it into cubes and let it dry. Then, toast it before using it in the stuffing so it is nice and dry.
• Lower calories: You can use 99% lean ground turkey flavored with homemade Italian sausage seasoning for a lighter option. You may need to add an extra pat of butter or some olive oil.
• Add veggies: If you want more veggies, add chopped carrots or bell peppers to the onion and celery.
• Make it healthier: For a healthier version, swap in whole wheat bread for some or all of the cornbread.
• Looking for a gluten-free option? Try this delicious gluten-free stuffing or use a gluten-free cornbread.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this stuffing at your next Thanksgiving along with these holiday favorites:

• Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork
• Healthy Green Bean Casserole
• Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast
• Apple Cranberry Sauce
• Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin

Storage and Reheating

This recipe is super easy to store and reheat. Here's how we do it:

Wrap the leftover stuffing in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for 3-4 months in an airtight container. Make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight or in the microwave. However, the texture may change slightly with the bread softened. It will also lose any crunch it had.

To reheat, turn your oven to 350 degrees. Place a portion of stuffing in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until warm. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to let the top get crispy again! If you're short on time, you can microwave it instead for a minute or two.

Pro tip: To prevent the stuffing from drying out, add a splash of chicken broth.