Savory Sausage and Herb Stuffing

Serves: 8-10 (9x13 inch dish) | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

The search for perfect gluten-free stuffing ends here! This savory sausage and herb dressing is packed with flavor, thanks to the rich base made with Clean Monday Meals Chicken Bouillon and Italian Seasoning. It’s moist, delicious, and the ultimate holiday side dish. Nobody will guess it's GF!

Ingredients:

8 cups gluten-free bread cubes, dried (see instructions)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb bulk breakfast or Italian sausage
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1 (8 oz) can water chestnuts, finely chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons butter (or plant-based butter substitute)
2 cups hot water
2 teaspoons Clean Monday Meals Chicken Bouillon
1-2 teaspoons Clean Monday Meals Italian Seasoning
Fresh herbs (e.g., sage, thyme, or parsley), for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare Bread: If your bread cubes are not already stale, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 225°F (107°C) for 20 minutes to dry them out. Set aside.
Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Add the olive oil to a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the diced onion and celery to the skillet and cook for the last 3-5 minutes of the sausage cooking time until they begin to soften.
Make the Liquid Base: Add the chopped water chestnuts to the skillet. In a separate cup, whisk the Chicken Bouillon into the 2 cups of hot water until dissolved. Stir the dissolved bouillon, the butter (or substitute), and the Italian Seasoning into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a slight simmer, stirring until the butter melts completely. Remove from heat.
Assemble and Bake: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the dried bread cubes in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour the hot sausage and liquid mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently toss the mixture to moisten all the bread.
Finish: Wrap the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes, removing the foil and stirring the mixture halfway through (around 15 minutes) to ensure even moistness and texture.
Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, and serve hot.