Southern Italian Thanksgiving Stuffing

4.7
(77)

This is the best Thanksgiving stuffing I have ever had. With a mix of Southern-style cooking and Italian flavors it brings all great tastes together. I got this recipe from my mom last year after everyone gave it amazing reviews!

A baking dish of southern Italian Thanksgiving stuffing, with a serving removed
12
12
12
12
Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs
Servings:
12
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 1 ½ pounds bulk Italian sausage

  • 6 ounces pancetta, diced

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 7 large stalks celery, chopped

  • 2 onions, chopped

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 6 cups day-old French bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

  • 3 cups crumbled cornbread

  • 1 cup toasted pine nuts

  • 1 ½ tablespoons rubbed sage

  • 1 ½ tablespoons poultry seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

  • 1 ounce shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a deep 9x13-inch baking dish or roasting pan.

    Ingredients to make southern Italian Thanksgiving stuffing

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, Add sausage; cook and stir until crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease.

    A large skillet of browned ground sausage

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Transfer sausage to a large bowl.

    A glass bowl with cooked ground sausage

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Meanwhile, heat pancetta and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until pancetta begins to brown. Stir in celery and onions; cook until onions soften and turn translucent, about 8 minutes.

    A large pan of pancetta with celery and onion

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Stir in garlic; cook until aroma mellows, about 3 minutes.

    A large pan with pancetta, garlic, onion, and celery

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Transfer onion mixture to the bowl with sausage.

    A glass bowl with cooked ground sausage, pancetta, onion, garlic, and celery

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Add French bread, cornbread, pine nuts, rubbed sage, poultry seasoning, and salt; stir to combine. Add chicken broth and mozzarella cheese; stir until bread absorbs broth and stuffing is combined.

    A large bowl of stuffing with French bread, sausage, and parmesan cheese

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Transfer stuffing to the prepared baking dish; pack in. Dot butter over top. Cover dish with aluminum foil.

    A greased baking dish with souther Italian Thanksgiving stuffing, dotted with cubes of butter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes; uncover dish and continue baking until top has turned golden brown, about 15 minutes more. Sprinkle with fresh sage and shaved Parmesan cheese to serve.

    A baking dish with baked southern Italian Thanksgiving stuffing

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

121 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

594 Calories
35g Fat
45g Carbs
26g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 594
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 14g 68%
Cholesterol 71mg 24%
Sodium 1795mg 78%
Total Carbohydrate 45g 16%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 26g 52%
Vitamin C 3mg 4%
Calcium 268mg 21%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 471mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.