If there’s one dish that can make or break Thanksgiving dinner, it’s the stuffing. But let’s be honest — not all of us have time to make it completely from scratch. That’s where this Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing comes in. It starts with a simple boxed stuffing mix (yes, the kind you can grab at any grocery store), but we’re taking it to the next level with fresh veggies, sweet-tart cranberries, juicy sausage, and crisp apples. The result? A holiday-worthy side that tastes completely homemade with half the effort.
Whether you’re hosting a crowd or bringing a side dish to Friendsgiving, this easy stuffing recipe is cozy, flavorful, and guaranteed to be one of the first dishes to disappear.
Why you’ll love this Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Quick and convenient: Starts with a boxed mix, but tastes totally from-scratch. I got a brioche stuffing mix from Aldi that was herb flavor and it was perfect in this recipe, but you can use any boxed stuffing you like.
- Perfectly balanced: Savory sausage, tart cranberries, and sweet apples hit all the right holiday notes.
- Crowd-pleaser that’s cost effective: Makes 10 1/2 cup servings, so it’s perfect for big family gatherings and is easily doubled or tripled for leftovers.
- Customizable: Use chicken, turkey, or pork sausage — whatever you love to make it your own!
This Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing is my go-to when I want something classic, flavorful, and stress-free. It’s proof that a shortcut can still taste gourmet.
Making Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing
This recipe comes together quickly with minimal prep/cooking time – in under 30 minutes you can have hot, fresh, delicious stuffing ready to go. To make it, just follow these steps:
- Prepare boxed stuffing mix according to package instructions and set aside.
- Chop your veggies. Dice the onions, carrots, celery, and apples so everything cooks evenly.
- Start with aromatics. In a large skillet or sauce pan over medium heat, sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for about 4 minutes.
- Add apples. Stir in the diced apples and cook another 4–5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add sausage. Crumble or slice your sausage and cook for 6–8 minutes, until heated through and the veggies and apples are tender.
- Add broth and cranberries. Pour in your chicken broth (or water), stir in cranberries, and let them plump up for 1–2 minutes.
- Mix it all together. Add the prepared boxed stuffing mix and stir until everything is evenly combined.
Serve warm, and get ready for the compliments to roll in! Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be complicated. This Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing (Using Boxed Mix!) keeps all the cozy, comforting flavors you crave with way less stress. Make it once, and it may just become your new holiday tradition.
More Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas
I know that stuffing is only part of the fun on a Thanksgiving table. Looking for some other great dishes to round out a tasty meal? Try some of my other recipes that are perfect for the holiday:
- Easy Mashed Potatoes
- Fall Harvest Salad
- Corn Muffins with Maple Bacon Butter
- Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
- Spicy Maple Roasted Vegetables
Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- Large Saucepan
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 6 oz box stuffing mix herb or chicken flavor
- 1/4 cup butter + 1 1/2 cups water to prepare boxed stuffing mix) – this may be different depending on the brand so just follow the instructions on he box!
- 2 green apples peeled and diced
- 1/2 white onion diced
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 7 oz chicken breakfast sausage 10 links, fully cooked, diced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
Instructions
- Prepare the boxed stuffing according to the package instructions and set aside. If your sausage isn't fully cooked, cook it thoroughly and dice or crumble it and set aside.
- Chop the onions, carrots, celery, and apples so everything cooks evenly.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for about 4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add the diced apples and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in the sausage and cook everything together for 6 to 8 minutes, until it’s warmed through and the vegetables and apples are tender.
- Pour in the chicken broth or water, add the dried cranberries, and let them absorb some of the liquid for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the prepared stuffing mix to the skillet and stir everything together until evenly combined and heated through.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
