Pork, Sage Links

Apple and Sage Sausage Stuffing

Ingredients:

One 16-ounce bag stuffing cubes or your favorite bread cubed and dried

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan and topping

4 links fresh sage sausage, casings removed

1 medium onion, chopped

2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

1 to 2 ribs celery with leaves, chopped

Kosher salt

3 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted if desired

2 eggs beaten 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.


2. Put the stuffing cubes in a large bowl and set aside. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish.


3. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until it loses most of its pink color, but not so much that it's dry, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage and pan drippings to the stuffing cubes. Melt the remaining butter in the pan. Add the onion, apple, celery, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the broth and parsley and bring to a boil.


4. Pour the vegetable mixture over the stuffing cubes and toss until evenly moistened. Mix in the walnuts and eggs. Loosely pack the dressing in the prepared pan and cook uncovered until the top forms a crust, about 40 minutes. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of turkey pan drippings or melted butter over the top. Cook until the top is crisp and golden, about 20 minutes more. Enjoy!