Crockpot Sausage Stuffing

This Crockpot Sausage Stuffing delivers all the classic flavor of a traditional stuffing with the convenience of a slow cooker. It’s a savory mix of Italian sausage, aromatic vegetables, herbs, and crusty bread cubes that cook together for hours, creating a rich and satisfying side dish.

With about 15 minutes of prep and four hours of hands-off cooking, this recipe is a great way to simplify mealtime. Using the slow cooker frees up valuable oven space, making it an ideal choice for holiday feasts or large family dinners.

Why will you love Crockpot Sausage Stuffing?

Frees up oven space: Cooking the stuffing in the crockpot is ideal for big meals when the oven is busy with other dishes.

Simple preparation: Most ingredients are added to the slow cooker at the beginning, requiring very little attention while it cooks.

Develops rich flavor: The long, slow cooking time allows the flavors from the sausage, vegetables, and herbs to meld together deeply.

Crockpot Sausage Stuffing Ingredients

• Italian Sausage: Sweet or mild sausage is standard, but hot Italian sausage works well if you prefer a spicy kick. You can also use bulk sausage meat.

• Bread: A sturdy, crusty loaf like French bread or a simple white loaf is best. Avoid sourdough, as its distinct flavor can be overpowering.

• Chicken Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth is recommended to better control the final saltiness of the dish. Vegetable broth is a suitable substitute.

• Fresh Thyme: If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can substitute it with about 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Crockpot Sausage Stuffing

Step 1: Prepare the Base

First, grease the insert of your slow cooker. Combine the stale bread cubes, chopped onion, carrots, celery, small pieces of butter, thyme, salt, and pepper directly in the slow cooker. Give it all a gentle toss to distribute the ingredients.

Step 2: Add Liquid and Sausage

Pour the chicken broth over the bread mixture and toss lightly one more time. Tear the sausage into small, teaspoon-sized pieces and scatter them evenly over the top of the stuffing.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 4 hours. The vegetables should be tender and the sausage cooked through. Verify the sausage is done by checking for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Once cooked, remove the lid and use a large spoon to gently stir the sausage down into the stuffing. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.

What to Serve with Crockpot Sausage Stuffing

This stuffing is a classic side for roasted turkey or chicken. It also pairs well with a simple pork loin.

Helpful Tricks for Crockpot Sausage Stuffing

For food safety, ground meat like sausage should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Using day-old, stale bread is important. It helps the stuffing absorb the liquid without becoming mushy.

Avoid lifting the lid while the stuffing cooks. This releases heat and can increase the necessary cooking time.

For a different flavor profile, you can substitute the thyme with 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh chopped sage.

How to Store and Freeze Crockpot Sausage Stuffing

Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in an oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended, as the bread’s texture can become overly soft upon thawing.

Crockpot Sausage Stuffing Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh bread?

Stale, dry bread is best because it absorbs the liquid without becoming soggy. If your bread is fresh, you can toast the cubes in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15-20 minutes until they are dried out and firm.

Can I cook this on the HIGH setting?

Yes, you can cook the stuffing on HIGH for about 2 to 2.5 hours. However, the LOW setting is recommended as it allows the flavors to develop more deeply and reduces the risk of the bottom burning.

Do I need to brown the sausage first?

No, this recipe is designed for simplicity. The sausage cooks completely on top of the stuffing, and its juices drip down to add more flavor. It gets stirred into the rest of the stuffing at the end.

Crockpot Sausage Stuffing

Savory Italian sausage, vegetables, and crusty bread come together in this simple slow cooker stuffing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 large loaf crusty white bread cut into 1-inch cubes and left out overnight to stale, about 1 lb / 450g
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter cut into small pieces, plus more for greasing, 113g
• 1 large yellow onion chopped, about 2 cups
• 2 medium carrots diced, about 1 cup
• 2 celery stalks diced, about 1 cup
• 1 lb sweet or mild Italian sausage casings removed, 450g
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 240ml
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with butter.
• In the slow cooker, combine the stale bread cubes, onion, carrots, celery, pieces of butter, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together gently.
• Pour the chicken broth evenly over the bread mixture and toss again to moisten the bread.
• Tear the Italian sausage into small, bite-sized pieces and arrange them in a single layer on top of the bread mixture.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure the sausage has reached an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
• Gently stir the cooked sausage into the stuffing, breaking it up slightly if needed.
• Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley just before serving.

Notes

For food safety, ground meat like sausage should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Using day-old, stale bread is important. It helps the stuffing absorb the liquid without becoming mushy.

Avoid lifting the lid while the stuffing cooks. This releases heat and can increase the necessary cooking time.

For a different flavor profile, you can substitute the thyme with 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh chopped sage.

Keyword crockpot sausage stuffing, sausage, side dish, slow cooker, stuffing