Garlic Butter Tossed Heavenly Waffles Holiday Stuffing Recipe
Introduction
This Garlic Butter Tossed Heavenly Waffles Holiday Stuffing is a flavorful twist on traditional stuffing, featuring crisp waffle cubes mixed with savory sausage, fresh herbs, and sautéed vegetables. It’s a comforting and aromatic dish perfect for Thanksgiving or any winter gathering.
Ingredients
- 8 cooked Heavenly Waffles, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 stick salted butter
- 1 garlic clove, pasted
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon minced sage
- Maldon salt (to taste)
- 1 package Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, small diced
- 5 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cups turkey stock
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 Heavenly Waffles and let them cool slightly. Cut into 1-inch cubes and set aside to dry while preparing the other ingredients.
- Step 2: In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the pasted garlic, fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the diced onion and celery to the herb butter, season lightly with Maldon salt, and cook until the onions are translucent and celery begins to soften.
- Step 4: In a separate skillet, brown the hot sausage. Strain off the fat, then add the sausage to the pan with the vegetables and herb butter. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Place the waffle cubes into a large mixing bowl. Pour the sausage and vegetable mixture over the cubes and toss gently to coat without breaking the waffles.
- Step 6: Butter a 12×8-inch casserole dish and add the stuffing mixture evenly. Slowly pour the turkey stock over the top and stir lightly to distribute the stock without crushing the cubes. Cover with foil.
- Step 7: Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is hot and tender. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder flavor, substitute the hot sausage with a mild sausage variety or cooked ground turkey.
- Use homemade turkey stock for richer taste or substitute with good-quality store-bought stock.
- Allow the waffle cubes to air dry longer to ensure they crisp nicely during baking.
- Add chopped fresh parsley or sage on top just before serving for extra freshness and color.
Storage
Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F covered with foil until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. This helps maintain the texture and flavor.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this stuffing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the stuffing up to the point before baking, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed when ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes if cold from the fridge.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
You can make a vegetarian version by omitting the sausage and using vegetable stock instead of turkey stock. Add extra sautéed mushrooms or nuts for added texture and flavor.
PrintGarlic Butter Tossed Heavenly Waffles Holiday Stuffing Recipe
This Garlic Butter Tossed Heavenly Waffles Holiday Stuffing is a warm, savory dish perfect for Thanksgiving and winter gatherings. Featuring crisp cubes of Heavenly Waffles tossed in a fragrant garlic herb butter with sautéed onions, celery, and spicy Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage, then baked with turkey stock for a moist, flavorful stuffing that serves 8 to 10 people.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Waffle Base
- 8 cooked Heavenly Waffles, cut into 1-inch cubes
Herb Butter
- 1 stick salted butter
- 1 garlic clove, pasted
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon minced sage
- Maldon salt (to taste)
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 package Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, small diced
- 5 celery stalks, diced
Liquids
- 2 cups turkey stock
Instructions
- Prepare the Heavenly Waffles: Cook 8 Heavenly Waffles (about 4×4 inches each). Let them cool slightly, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Set aside to dry slightly while prepping the other ingredients.
- Make the Herb Butter Base: In a large sauté pan, melt 1 stick of salted butter over medium heat. Stir in the pasted garlic clove, fresh thyme, minced rosemary, and minced sage. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced yellow onion and celery to the herb butter. Season lightly with Maldon salt. Cook until the onions turn translucent and the celery begins to soften, stirring occasionally.
- Brown the Sausage: In a separate skillet, brown the Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage over medium heat until fully cooked. Strain off the rendered fat. Add the cooked sausage to the pan with the sautéed vegetables and herb butter. Stir to combine evenly.
- Combine Everything: Place the Heavenly Waffles cubes into a large mixing bowl. Pour the sausage and vegetable mixture over the cubes. Toss gently to coat the waffle pieces without crushing them.
- Assemble the Stuffing: Butter a 12×8-inch casserole dish. Add the stuffing mixture evenly to the pan. Slowly pour 2 cups of turkey stock over the top, then give it a light stir to help distribute the stock without breaking the waffle cubes. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake: Bake the covered casserole at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is hot and tender. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Allowing the waffle cubes to dry slightly before mixing helps them hold their shape during baking.
- Using fresh herbs significantly enhances the flavor profile but dried herbs can be substituted at half the quantity.
- Adjust the amount of turkey stock as needed depending on your preferred stuffing moisture level.
- You can substitute the Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage with a milder sausage if less heat is desired.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the Heavenly Waffles are gluten-free or use an alternative gluten-free waffle.
Keywords: holiday stuffing, Thanksgiving side, savory stuffing, garlic butter stuffing, sausage stuffing, waffle stuffing, baked stuffing, festive side dish
