Garlic 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.
- Author: Dylan
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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