Sourdough, Italian Sausage, and Chestnut Stuffing

Ingredients for Sourdough, Italian Sausage, and Chestnut Stuffing

• 170g (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, divided, plus more

• 1500g coarsely torn sourdough bread, dried out overnight

• 2 tablespoons plus 60ml olive oil

• 120ml chopped roasted chestnuts

• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

• 450g sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

• 2 medium onions, chopped

• 4 celery stalks, chopped

• 2 chillies de árbol

• 1 large Pink Lady apple, thinly sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 40g finely chopped fresh sage

• 120ml very dry Sherry

• 2 large eggs

• 725ml chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth, divided

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter a shallow 3-quart baking dish and a sheet of foil. Place bread in a very large bowl.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add chestnuts, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until chestnuts are golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl with bread with a slotted spoon.

Heat remaining 60ml oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 8–10 minutes. Transfer to bowl with slotted spoon.

Add onions, celery, and chillies to skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until onions are translucent and soft, 5–7 minutes. Add apple, garlic, and sage and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and apple is soft, about 5 minutes. Discard chillies. Add onion mixture to bowl.

Add onions, celery, and chillies to skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until onions are translucent and soft, 5–7 minutes. Add apple, garlic, and sage and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and apple is soft, about 5 minutes. Discard chillies. Add onion mixture to bowl.

Reduce heat to medium and cook Sherry in skillet, scraping up any browned bits, until almost all evaporated, about 1 minute. Add 110g butter; cook, stirring, until melted. Drizzle over bread mixture.

Whisk eggs and 475ml stock in a medium bowl; pour over bread mixture. Season with salt and pepper and toss, adding more stock 1/4-cupful at a time as needed (you may not use it all), until combined and bread is hydrated. Transfer to prepared dish and dot with remaining 60ml butter.

Cover with buttered foil; bake until a paring knife inserted into the centre comes out hot, 30–35 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450°. Uncover and bake until top is golden brown and crisp, 20–25 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

Do ahead: Stuffing can be assembled 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.