Ingredients
Sausage Bites
- Cooking spray
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups store-bought stuffing mix (such as Pepperidge Farms)
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb. uncooked bulk sweet Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3/4 tsp. poultry seasoning
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare stuffing mixture: Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease two baking sheets with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, then add the stuffing mix and whole milk. Stir to coat and let it sit for about 10 minutes until the stuffing cubes soften.
- Sauté vegetables: While the stuffing soaks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and celery along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Combine sausage and stuffing: Crumble the uncooked bulk sweet Italian sausage over the softened stuffing mixture. Add the sautéed onion and celery mixture, chopped parsley, and poultry seasoning. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form balls: Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, approximately 2 tablespoons each, and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake sausage bites: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom halfway through, until the bites are deeply browned and cooked through.
- Prepare cranberry sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce with honey and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir well to blend.
- Serve: Transfer the baked sausage stuffing bites to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve alongside the prepared cranberry sauce.
Notes
- Ensure sausage is cooked thoroughly for safety.
- Use store-bought stuffing mix for convenience or substitute with homemade stuffing if preferred.
- To make bites ahead, form balls and refrigerate; bake just before serving.
- For a spicy kick, use spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet.
- Honey in cranberry sauce can be adjusted to taste depending on preferred sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
