Bakers Royale

Sage, Sausage and Butternut Squash Stuffing

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Sausage and Butternut Squash Stuffing ~ This is my standard issued holiday stuffing. Whether I’m traveling or hosting a holiday, the expectation is this stuffing will be on the table.

Sausage and Butternut Squash Stuffing

Sausage and Butternut Squash Stuffing

As I previously mentioned, I don’t ever prepare the main course for the holidays. The stuffing is about as main course as I get. Call me lazy, but I don’t want to be saddled to an oven on a holiday. The trade-off is I usually do the majority of the sides and desserts and my mother-in-law does the turkey, which works out great because her turkey is terrific.

That said, I like to make my stuffing the evening before and then let the flavors absorb and develop over night. This year my Le Creuset 5 ¾ qt Oval Casserole with Lid made things even easier. I love how it can withstand extreme temperature changes that allows it to go from oven to fridge the day of baking and for overnight storing; from fridge to oven for reheating; and finally from oven to table where its elegance can easily be placed alongside all the other dressy serving platters.

. . . . Uh, yeah, if you haven’t guessed by now, I’m launching into to review and holiday giveaway from Le Creuset. The recipe will be at the end of the post.

If you keep up with my blog you know I love Le Creuset and have previously worked with them to bring their products to you. Well, lucky for us Le Creuset offered to do it again with this elegant oven to table 5 ¾ qt Oval Casserole with Lid. They have generously provided me with the one to review and another one to giveaway to one lucky reader.

Included with the casserole will also be Le Creuset’s signature silicon spatulas. I have been using their spatulas for years now and have some of the previous designs prior to this latest redesign. I am excited to say the new spatula design rocks. The handles have been designed for a more comfortable grip and the spatula portion is even stronger making it so stirring or folding heavy doughs can be done with less elbow grease.

Le Creuset Holiday Giveaway copy

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER THE LE CREUSET HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY:
Each item you do will net you ONE chance to win (for a total of SIX chances); if you ALREADY do any of these things, they DO count! So make sure to comment for each item! You MUST leave each entry as a separate comment or only one comment will count.

Important Details:

  • This giveaway is open to USA residents only and will end on Thursday 12/11/10 at 11:59 pm PST.
  • Winner will randomly be drawn and will be contacted via the email provided on the comment contact form. Winner will have until Sunday 12/14/10 by 11:59 pm PST to claim their Le Creuset 5 ¾ qt. Oval Casserole with Lid, or another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: This giveaway is provided to you by Le Creuset. The views and opinions expressed on Bakers Royale are purely my own and based upon my personal experiences with Le Creuset.

Sausage and Butternut Squash Stuffing

Preparation:

Heat oven to 375° F. Lightly butter casserole pan.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups butternut squashed, cubed
  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
  • 1 large loaf Italian bread (about 1 pound), cut into 3⁄4-inch pieces (about 16 cups)
  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • 8 sage leaves
  • 1 tablespoon thyme
  • 4 stalks celery, diced
  • ½ cup fennel, diced
  • 1 cup onions, diced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 cup marsala
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons sage, chiffonade

Directions:

  1. Place ½ -1 inch cubed butternut squash on a bakesheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Roast at 400 degrees for about 30minutes or until tender. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet add sausage making sure to break it up with a spoon and cook until browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Divide the bread between 2 rimmed baking sheets and bake until dry and crisp, about 10 to 12 minutes.
  4. Wipe out pan and add butter over medium-high heat. Add sage, thyme, fennel, onions, salt and pepper cook until the butter becomes brown and fragrant. Add marsala and cook until evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes, transfer to a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.
  5. Combine cream and broth, add the bread, fresh sage and sausage, toss to combine. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until browned, 20 to 30 minutes more.

A few notes:

  • Use Italian bread or any crusty bread for best results.
  • You can buy pre-cut and cubed butternut squash to cut down on the prep time.
  • Use scissors to quickly chiffonade sage or any herb by folding it several times and cutting it into strips.
  • The stuffing can be prepared two days in advance and reheated at 325 degrees F for 45-50 minutes the day of.

Comments

  3. Jennifer says

    I love any side that includes sweet potatoes. I love them mashed, whole, in a casserole, or any other way you can think of. That’s probably my favorite side of the holidays.

  23. Victoria says

    My favorite side dish is green bean casserole. It grossed me out as a child (I was not a fan of mushrooms) but now my tastes have changed and I look for it at every holiday table.

  27. Jaime says

    Stuffing is actually my favorite part of the holidays. While the meat and potatoes and other goodies are wonderful (as we don’t eat much of either during the rest of the year), the stuffing is something that holds pride of place in my heart and on our table. Can’t wait to try your recipe.

  30. Jaime says

    Became a fan of Le Creuset on Facebook. Just for the record, I love their products already and really am excited about this giveaway. Thanks!

  34. Meghan says

    My favorite holiday side dish is au grautin potatoes with gruyere and cumin. Trust me on the cumin!

  48. Joanne says

    Girl, this sounds fantastic! I was looking for a butternut squash stuffing recipe this holiday season but couldn’t find one in time for Thanksgiving. Guess I know what I’ll be making for christmas…

    My favorite holiday side is the cranberry sauce. Hands down.

  60. Kelly G says

    OMG this stuffing looks excellent. I would say that stuffing is definately my favorite holiday side dish. I can’t wait to try this one.

  89. Jennie @ Oh, Sweet Day! says

    This is my favorite kind of stuffing! Love the squash in it!

    Following on twitter 🙂

  90. Michelle says

    I never liked stuffing when I was a kid, but I love it now. Yours looks delicious. I think my favorite side has got to be mashed potatoes for holiday meals though.

  96. Rose in Ohio says

    I had never cooked butternut squash until this fall when I found a recipe for butternut squash gratin. It was so delicious, and I immediately fell in love with it! I did make it for Thanksgiving dinner, too, and yes, it was my favorite side dish. I’m sure your stuffing is good, too!

    rosemills (at) bex (dot) net

  99. Eliana says

    I absolutely love butternut squash and would be honored to give the Le Creuset a home. I’m not sure if this is what you are looking for but I have become a fan on Facebook.

  119. Schmidty says

    My favorite holiday side dish is a sweet potato casserole with lots of butter, brown sugar, half and half, with a pinch of nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon.

  131. Jill Buer says

    My favorite side dish is creamed corn. I don’t normally eat much corn, but it brings back childhood memories of the holidays. 🙂

  132. Paula {Salad in a Jar} says

    My favorite holiday side is homemade noodles.

    Also wanted to report back on your pumpkin pie published a few weeks ago. I followed your recipe (including the secret crust) precisely and LOVED it. Best ever. I will be using it from now on. I really like the order and method you used to put it together too.

  147. TC says

    I know this doesn’t sound very exciting, but roasted root veggies are my favorite holiday side dish.

  166. Laura says

    I’m with you on the stuffing – it’s the best part of the meal. But it’s even better cold for breakfast – I always make enough to last at least a week!

  168. Angela L. says

    My favorite holiday side dish is…. this is a tough decision!! I’d say either sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes. Though I love dressing as well. 🙂 I’m not picky as you can see!!

    Merry Christmas!

    Angela L.
    lasitera at yahoo dot com

  170. Angela L. says

    I’m a fan of Le Creuset on Facebook

    Merry Christmas!

    Angela Larson
    lasitera at yahoo dot com

  171. Angela L. says

    I follow Bakers Royale on Facebook.

    Angela Larson
    lasitera at yahoo dot com
    larson.angela.l at gmail dot com

  175. Emma says

    My Favorite Holiday side dish is creamy, cheesy mash potatoes, a decadent creation my brother makes every year!

  184. Kayla Caruso says

    My favorite side dish is green bean casserole! yum! I’m a fan of Le Creuset and Bakers Royale on facebook. yay!

  187. Annie says

    my favorite holiday side dish is also stuffing–cannot go wrong with stuffing…sometimes i like it even more than the main dish.

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