Pepperidge Farm Sausage Stuffing Recipe

This is the most amazing Pepperidge Farm sausage stuffing recipe ever! Whether you make it with a smoked bird, our sheet pan turkey or even a spiral ham it’s a family favorite side dish. We call it Pickford stuffing because of the Grandma who created it with Jimmy Dean spicy ground sausage for Thanksgiving, Easter and year round with dinner!

Pepperidge Farm Sausage Stuffing

We first had it about 10 years ago when I had just given birth to my second daughter. It was a few days before Thanksgiving and my neighbor brought dinner over to us. The dressing was SO good that I asked my friend Valerie if I could share this recipe she said “yes if you call it the Pickford Stuffing”. Why? Because that was the last name of her Grandmas who created it. Now that “the secret” is out I can make it at every holiday from now on.

We were so happy! Since then we have tweaked things sharing How to Bake Stuffing Outside the Turkey if you would rather enjoy it that way, or inside. If you are preparing your bird this year but want to make the best Thanksgiving turkey stuffing recipe, here it is!

How to Make Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Better

You need to add meat and leave the grease in there! I’m telling you that this goes with everything, not just served in November with family. We serve it next to roasted duck too because after we had it first we just couldn’t stop talking about “that stuffing”. We still do ’til this day. I mean ground Jimmy Dean spicy sausage goes with everything, just makes it heartier with a bit of heat. 😉

• Now when any holiday is around the corner I think back on that amazing stuffing and just had to find out what was in it.
• I finally asked my friend to share “the secret” with me. If you’re looking for the best Thanksgiving stuffing recipe, this is it!

Ok so it definitely comes along with great memories for me as I flash back to the days when my now 10 year old was an itty bitty thing, but making it again reminds me of just how good it really was (and is). Packed with LOTS of flavor it could almost be a meal in itself, but also perfect along side turkey during Thanksgiving or at Easter time too.

Ok, so really you could make this year round it’s so good, like I did here with my dutch oven whole chicken recipe. It’s really easy to throw together too.

I do have a few tips you should follow to get it from a good bite to amazing. Whether you should make it, or can, ahead of time and variations on the base.

How to Make the Best Sausage Stuffing

• Do not make it the day before, it must be fresh
• Use a good base (bagged stuffing) that is already seasoned, this Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing is the ONLY type we use to make this Pickford stuffing
• Load it up with (diced) vegetables you love, and onions
• Add some meat to your stuffing, if you’ve never done it you’ll love the addition – we always use a roll of spicy ground sausage (must be spicy in our opinion for the BEST stuffing ever)
• Make it separately, not inside the bird
  • if you just must have some inside go for it, but cook the majority of your stuffing on the stovetop as I show in the video I’ve included in this post

You don’t even need to season after you’re done! The dry herb stuffing mix suggested here + the spicy sausage gives it a TREMENDOUS amount of flavor. If you normally add salt and pepper, wait until it is done. Taste it and then decide whether you want more so you don’t over-season it.

Stuffing with Jimmy Dean Sausage Ingredients

1. Pepperidge Farm stuffing breadcrumbs
2. Celery diced will give it a bit of texture
3. Onions are great for taste and texture, I usually use yellow
4. Mushrooms -baby bellas are best because they will stay a bit more firm and not break down so easily
5. Ground sausage – Jimmy Dean spicy is best
   1. Italian sausage can be used if you can’t find the above
6. Chicken broth is better than water to moisten up the dish, way better than water
7. Large bowl and pot, baking dish for serving

What is the best boxed stuffing?

You MUST use this Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing for it to be out of this world. Do NOT substitute for a cheaper brand. There may be a store brand out there with the same sort of description but don’t do it, pay the extra dollar or two because there is no substitute. Get it??

Can I make stuffing the day before?

Because it uses vegetables in it, and broth, your stuffing will have a very wet texture if you prepare it beforehand. BUT if you are okay with that it is perfectly fine to make ahead of time and refrigerate for the big day. Keep in mind though that stuffing with raw eggs should not be stuffed inside the turkey, and should be made fresh.

What to Serve with The Best Stuffing

• A pressure cooker turkey saves room in your oven.
• Smoked turkey is our very favorite method.
• During the year you can make chicken and stuffing in Crockpot too
• Instant Pot corn casserole recipe will save room in your oven if you have a lot cooking!
•  These are the sheet pan green beans as far as we are concerned. If you need vegetables that are baked and healthier than others this is a great choice.

Looking for more great Thanksgiving side dishes? Cream corn casserole recipe is a MUST I tell you!! If it’s something you’ve never tried I guarantee it will fly off the table and your guests will ask for the recipe.

Other Stuffing Recipes you’ll Love

• Instant Pot stuffing uses onions, celery, sweet potato and other goodies. Bread stuffing or dressing in your pressure cooker is very possible!
• This is How to Cook Stuffing in a Bundt Pan with french bread or cornbread stuffing with fresh herbs

Can homemade stuffing be frozen?

Take it off the Thanksgiving table immediately when it’s done being eaten. Transfer to freezer bags and suck all the air out so it stays really moist for up to 3 days. Refrigerate your leftover savory stuffing in airtight containers. Reheat in a pan on low heat or in the microwave for about 45 seconds or so.