Sausage Stuffing Bites
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I have one word for you, and it’s really not a word. But here it is: MMMMMMMM….
Seriously though, y’all… This is the recipe of the season that you will want to make for your family, friends, or just yourself because I am telling you that these are the best little things that have come out of my kitchen. A couple’a weeks or so ago, I did a poll on Instagram asking what they would like to see this holiday season and I had an overwhelming response from readers asking for Stuffing and Appetizers! I honestly don’t do appetizers too much. I like to focus on the main event and throw an easy dip on the table or a meat and cheese board, but I’ll change my tune right about now because these little guys are a very important addition to the season. These are an absolute must for a Friendsgiving celebration. They aren’t traditional in the sense that they are rolled up into a little ball and served that way, but they still have all the delicious flavors of a traditional stuffing. These will win Thanksgiving this year. Eric declared after I had made them that these may be the best things I’ve ever made… and I make a lot of things, guys. A lot. I stick with a couple boxes of stove top stuffing mix to make it easier on everything because I know thanksgiving is quite an event for some households. These are even easier because you can make everything up, roll into balls, and store in a container in the fridge early in the morning and heat in the oven for about 20 minutes before serving. I just love these things and I can’t wait to serve them for an appetizer for our family Thanksgiving dinner. Eric is quite a “food critic” these days…. So trust me, if he says they are the best thing I’ve ever made and you’ve tried other recipes of mine and love them. You’ll wanna make’m up!
Let’s get in the kitchen because time is running out before the big day and if there’s one thing you need to know about me it is that I love stuffing more than anything in this world. And if you love stuffing, you’ll go nuts over these things.
At the heart of some of the most delicious of recipes you’ll find freshly chopped carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. So get to choppin’ those babies up!
Add a pound’a lean breakfast turkey sausage to a smokin’ hot skillet and break it apart with a spatula.
Add all those yummy chopped veggies into the pan with the turkey sausage.
Throw some kosher salt, sage, and thyme in with all of of those goodies let it cook all together stirring every once and awhile, and fill your kitchen with the most magical smells that’ll make you crazy.
Continue to cook until the veggies are softened. And taste it because you know you want to.
In a large mixing bowl throw two boxes of stuffing mix. I use the Stove Top box for Turkey because it’s easy and because these are an appetizer type of food or a fun side dish. I just wanted to make it easy for y’all and for myself. Thanksgiving can be quite the work load so, we’ll keep some parts simple, but of course, insanely delicious.
Throw the skillet of goodies in with the stuffing mix.
Add half a cup of egg substitute or egg whites and two cups of chicken broth. (Both work I just had only egg beaters on hand this time around)
Add in some reduced fat cheddar… and get in there with your hands, y’all. You need to make sure this is combined REALLY, REALLY well. If for whatever reason it doesn’t seem “smooshy” enough just add a bit of chicken broth. (I believe smooshy is a technical term only used by the finest of home cooks. HA!)
It’ll look a lil something like this and forgive me, I know it’s not the prettiest, but good Lord it’s good!
Form them into balls about the size of a golf ball and place on a cookie sheet. Pop in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes.
And here ya go! The “cutest” little appetizer and/or side dish to add to your Thanksgiving table.
They really are some of the best dang things I’ve ever had.
Just in case I haven’t convinced ya yet…. MAKE THESE. MAKE THESE RIGHT NOW.
While these are for Thanksgiving. I’ve been eating them on and off for almost two weeks and It’s not Thanksgiving and they are perfect to just make for lunches to be honest. It’s felt like Thanksgiving dinner every day for two weeks. I call that a win!
Let me know how ya like’m when you make’m! Enjoy!
With love from my kitchen to yours,
Star
P.S. This serves a lot’a people! I intentionally made this a larger recipe because there’s normally a lot of mouths to feed and there’s a lot’a mouths that aren’t watching their weight so they may pop 5 or 6 of these bad boys without second thought. You can definitely halve the recipe if you’re not lookin’ to make 40 little bites though!
P.P.S. Make these, please and thank you. Lots of love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean turkey breakfast sausage, uncooked I use Jennie-O
- 4 large carrots finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 3 stalks celery finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium sweet onion finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 tsp ground sage dried
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 6 oz packages stove top stuffing mix (you can use a different brand, just use about 12 ounces total)
- 3/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar I use Sargento Sharp Cheddar
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup egg whites or egg substitute
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large hot skillet add your turkey sausage and break apart with spatula. When the meat is broken up add all of the chopped vegetables, thyme, sage, and kosher salt. Continue to cook over medium-high heat until meat is cooked and vegetables are softened.
- In a large mixing bowl add stuffing mix, cooked sausage and vegetables, chicken broth, shredded cheese, and egg whites.
- Dig in and mix with your hands! This needs to be combined VERY well.(If for some reason the mixture seems a little dry add a bit of chicken broth.)
- Form into 40 golf ball sized balls. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place in preheated oven for about 15 minutes. Serve with a toothpick stuck in them for a fun appetizer feel! Enjoy!
I made these for my co workers and they loved them! Going to make them for Christmas tomorrow. Merry Christmas everyone
Do you cook the stuffing mix before adding it to everything else? Or just pour the box in uncooked??
The stuffing mix is added in as is. No need to cook beforehand. Hope you enjoy!
The ingredient list says “already prepared stuffing mix” which I took to mean I had to take it out of the box and prepare it prior to using it in this recipe. Is that incorrect?
Hi Amie! I’m sorry about the confusion on this one. I just updated the ingredients list. You use the stuffing mix boxes straight out of the box.
Hi!
Can these be made without the cheese or are they a needed ingredient? My son LOVES sausage and stuffing but hates cheese (even when I try and hide it he knows its there!).
Thanks!
Kristen
Hi Kristen! I really think it should be okay without the cheese. I kind of wish I hated cheese. haha! i hope you all enjoy’m.
These look great. Has anyone frozen them yet?
Hi Rhonda, I think they should freeze well! I would let them thaw before reheating them after being frozen. Let me know how to it goes if you give it a go!
Made these for Thanksgiving and they were a hit! Even those in my family who do not eat/like ground turkey were amazed at how tasty these were. Definitely will be a quick go to side dish even for Sunday dinners!
I am so happy to hear that! I’ve faced many ground turkey haters and I’ve pleased many of them with it! Just gotta season it up the right way.
Made these for Thanksgiving and they were a hit! Even those in my family who do not eat/like ground turkey were amazed at how tasty these were. Definitely will be a quick go to side dish even for Sunday dinners!
I am so happy to hear that! I’ve faced many ground turkey haters and I’ve pleased many of them with it! Just gotta season it up the right way.
Hi! Love your website everything isn’t always amazing! Can these be frozen?
I meant everything IS! Always amazing!
Hi! Love your website everything isn’t always amazing! Can these be frozen?
I meant everything IS! Always amazing!
Made these for Thanksgiving! I am a HUGE stuffing fan and I wasn’t disappointed. My sister said it was one of the best stuffings she’s tasted! The “meatball” appearance was new and exciting. The kids AND adults loved them. THANK YOU!
Oh, I am SO happy to hear everyone enjoyed them so much! You’re welcome!
Made these for Thanksgiving! I am a HUGE stuffing fan and I wasn’t disappointed. My sister said it was one of the best stuffings she’s tasted! The “meatball” appearance was new and exciting. The kids AND adults loved them. THANK YOU!
Oh, I am SO happy to hear everyone enjoyed them so much! You’re welcome!
The recipe calls for 3 cloves of garlic but does not have the garlic in the directions…I’m assuming it goes in while the sausage cooks?
Hi there! Sorry I am just seeing this comment today. In the second direction where I say “add all the chopped vegetables, sage, thyme, and kosher salt” to the turkey sausage. I do mean the celery, onions, garlic, and onion, but I will for sure change it so it is more clear! Sorry bout that =)
The recipe calls for 3 cloves of garlic but does not have the garlic in the directions…I’m assuming it goes in while the sausage cooks?
Hi there! Sorry I am just seeing this comment today. In the second direction where I say “add all the chopped vegetables, sage, thyme, and kosher salt” to the turkey sausage. I do mean the celery, onions, garlic, and onion, but I will for sure change it so it is more clear! Sorry bout that =)
Hi I’m making this tonight. I’m using Trader Joe’s stuffing mix. Do I add in the flavor packet to be mixed with the dry stuffing, and the veggies and turkey mixture? Or do I leave out that flavor packet? Thanks!
Hi there! I would go ahead and add the flavor packet since the stuffing package I use has flavored baked with the bread. I hope you love’m!
Hi I’m making this tonight. I’m using Trader Joe’s stuffing mix. Do I add in the flavor packet to be mixed with the dry stuffing, and the veggies and turkey mixture? Or do I leave out that flavor packet? Thanks!
Hi there! I would go ahead and add the flavor packet since the stuffing package I use has flavored baked with the bread. I hope you love’m!
Definitely not going to loose this recipe…..this was so awesome, even the husband and his coworker loved them!!!!! Added 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup died diced cranberry.
Dried cranberry
Yum!!! The addition of cranberry sounds PERFECT! I will have to try that next time I make them. I am so happy everyone enjoyed them!
Definitely not going to loose this recipe…..this was so awesome, even the husband and his coworker loved them!!!!! Added 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup died diced cranberry.
Dried cranberry
Yum!!! The addition of cranberry sounds PERFECT! I will have to try that next time I make them. I am so happy everyone enjoyed them!
Could I make them the night before or do you think they would dry out too much?
Could I make them the night before or do you think they would dry out too much?
These look delish! Could I make them the night before and store them overnight?
Hi there Megan! I’m so sorry I am just seeing this comment. I’m sure you don’t need this answer any longer, but here it is for next time: I made a batch up, didn’t cook them in the oven, and stored them in an air tight container over night. Cooked them for the first time the day of dinner. They take a few extra minutes in the oven because they are cold, but work perfectly!
These look delish! Could I make them the night before and store them overnight?
Hi there Megan! I’m so sorry I am just seeing this comment. I’m sure you don’t need this answer any longer, but here it is for next time: I made a batch up, didn’t cook them in the oven, and stored them in an air tight container over night. Cooked them for the first time the day of dinner. They take a few extra minutes in the oven because they are cold, but work perfectly!
How much cheese? Looking forward to making these.
2/3 cup Reduced Fat Cheddar. I just updated it. Sorry about that! I hope you love’m!
How much cheese? Looking forward to making these.
2/3 cup Reduced Fat Cheddar. I just updated it. Sorry about that! I hope you love’m!
I states you add shredded cheese in directions/photos, but it’s not listed in ingredients?
I’ll fix that right away! Sometimes I miss stuff. Thanks for letting me know!
I states you add shredded cheese in directions/photos, but it’s not listed in ingredients?
I’ll fix that right away! Sometimes I miss stuff. Thanks for letting me know!
No, Ma’am. I was wanting to just pile it all in a casserole dish and let them all dig in. 🙂
Gotcha! These are very similar to the way I do my stuffing except I use a few different things and day old bread instead of the stove top. I suggest not to “smoosh” it together when combining the ingredients a bunch so there’s a bit more texture to it. Make sure to spray the casserole dish with cooking spray and do 350 for about 35 minutes. (check to make sure center is hot) I would also cover the dish with tin foil for the first 25 minutes to keep it from drying out. I hope it works out for ya! I really wanted to get my stuffing recipe out along with these, but time has gotten away from me again! haha!
I look forward to you sharing that with us. Every single recipe I’ve tried has been amazing! Thank you for all you do.
No, Ma’am. I was wanting to just pile it all in a casserole dish and let them all dig in. 🙂
Gotcha! These are very similar to the way I do my stuffing except I use a few different things and day old bread instead of the stove top. I suggest not to “smoosh” it together when combining the ingredients a bunch so there’s a bit more texture to it. Make sure to spray the casserole dish with cooking spray and do 350 for about 35 minutes. (check to make sure center is hot) I would also cover the dish with tin foil for the first 25 minutes to keep it from drying out. I hope it works out for ya! I really wanted to get my stuffing recipe out along with these, but time has gotten away from me again! haha!
I look forward to you sharing that with us. Every single recipe I’ve tried has been amazing! Thank you for all you do.
Thanks for checking…no, I wanted to just pile it all in a casserole dish and let them dig in. 🙂
Thanks for checking…no, I wanted to just pile it all in a casserole dish and let them dig in. 🙂
Have you tried making them in a casserole dish? I think I’d prefer to serve these as a side dish vs. appetizer. If you know the cook time and temperature, I’d really appreciate it.
Just to clarify, would you be still rolling them into little balls and then placing them in the casserole dish? If so, the time and temp really should be about the same maybe a few extra minutes, so just check one of them at the 15 minute mark. I hope you enjoy!
Have you tried making them in a casserole dish? I think I’d prefer to serve these as a side dish vs. appetizer. If you know the cook time and temperature, I’d really appreciate it.
Just to clarify, would you be still rolling them into little balls and then placing them in the casserole dish? If so, the time and temp really should be about the same maybe a few extra minutes, so just check one of them at the 15 minute mark. I hope you enjoy!
These look so good! I think I’m going to add them to our Thanksgiving dinner ❣️
Thank you. They taste even better than they look. I hope everyone enjoys for Thanksgiving!
These look so good! I think I’m going to add them to our Thanksgiving dinner ❣️
Thank you. They taste even better than they look. I hope everyone enjoys for Thanksgiving!