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Classic Southern Cornbread Dressing: Easy Sage & Sausage Recipe

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This classic Southern cornbread dressing with sage and sausage is the ultimate comfort food, featuring savory sausage, aromatic sage, and tender cornbread baked to golden perfection. It’s quick and easy, ready in under an hour with just 15 minutes of hands-on prep, making it perfect for holidays or a cozy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups crumbled day-old cornbread (about one 9x13 pan; homemade or store-bought both work)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for greasing the dish)
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage (I recommend Jimmy Dean or a local farm brand for best flavor)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried sage)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust based on sausage saltiness)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups chicken or turkey broth (low-sodium preferred; adds richness)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for drizzling on top)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or olive oil. Set aside.
  2. Crumble the cornbread. If you haven’t already, crumble the day-old cornbread into coarse crumbs in a large mixing bowl. You want a mix of small pieces and slightly larger chunks for texture. Set aside.
  3. Brown the sausage. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breakfast sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet (this is flavor gold).
  4. Sauté the aromatics. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and celery to the skillet with the sausage drippings. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, chopped sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. The kitchen should smell incredible at this point.
  5. Combine the base ingredients. Add the cooked sausage and the sautéed vegetable mixture to the bowl with the crumbled cornbread. Toss gently with a fork to combine, making sure the sausage and vegetables are evenly distributed.
  6. Prepare the liquid mixture. In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs and chicken broth until well combined. Pour this mixture over the cornbread-sausage mixture. Stir gently until all the cornbread is moistened. The mixture should look wet but not soupy—if it seems dry, add an extra 1/4 cup of broth.
  7. Transfer to baking dish. Pour the dressing mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it into an even layer. Drizzle the melted butter over the top for a golden, crispy finish.
  8. Bake to perfection. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy. The center should be set but still slightly tender. For extra crispy edges, broil for the last 2-3 minutes—watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.
  9. Rest before serving. Remove from the oven and let the dressing rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the liquid to fully absorb and makes serving easier. The dressing will firm up as it cools.
  10. Serve warm. Scoop out generous portions and serve alongside turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, or any of your favorite holiday dishes.

Notes

Use day-old cornbread for best texture; fresh cornbread can be dried in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Don’t skip browning the sausage—it builds flavor. Toast the sage in the hot skillet to release its oils. Start with 2 cups of broth and add more if needed; the dressing should be moist but not soupy. Let the dressing rest for 5-10 minutes after baking for better texture. For extra crispy edges, broil for the last 2-3 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil.

Nutrition

Keywords: cornbread dressing, sage and sausage dressing, Southern dressing, Thanksgiving dressing, holiday side dish, comfort food, easy dressing recipe

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/classic-southern-cornbread-dressing-easy-sage-and-sausage-recipe/