Skip to Content
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

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!

A bowl of Pickford stuffing features bread cubes, sliced mushrooms, chopped celery, and onions. A wooden spoon rests on the stuffing, while a partially visible plate of roasted chicken adds a savory backdrop.

Every holiday when we’re thinking of what we’re going to make we think of this favorite Thanksgiving side dish made with Pepperidge Farm stuffing in a bag + ground sausage. (affiliate links present)

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!

A raw turkey is positioned on a black roasting pan, supported by a metal stand, ready for Pickford stuffing. It rests on a kitchen countertop with a blurred white cabinet in the background.

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.

    best sausage stuffing

    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??

    A bowl of Thanksgiving stuffing with visible ingredients including mushrooms, celery, and onions. The text above reads, "Pickford stuffing that rocks!

    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

    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!
    • Bundt pan stuffing uses 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.

    pickford stuffing

    Before you go I want you to sign up for my free newsletter!! You will get all my new recipes emailed to you a few times a week that will help with meal planning for the week.

    Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already have…twinsies!

    Looking for more easy family recipes and tips? LIKE The Typical Mom Facebook page because we share all our new creations there every single day. And follow me on Pinterest for more inspirations! 😉

    ***** If you LOVED this recipe give it 5 Stars below and let everyone know what you thought about it. 😉

    the typical mom
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Pepperidge Farm Sausage Stuffing

    This Pickford Pepperidge Farm sausage stuffing is the MOST amazing side dish to make for Thanksgiving, Easter, and year round! Super easy. 
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Keyword bread, sausage, side dish, spicy, stuffing
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes
    Servings 10
    Calories 59kcal
    Author The Typical Mom

    Equipment

    Ingredients

    • 1/4 c butter
    • 1 1/2 c celery chopped
    • 1 1/2 c onion yellow , diced
    • 1 1/2 c mushrooms baby bella style , cut into 4ths
    • 1 pkg. ground sausage Jimmy Dean spicy is the very best 16 oz.
    • 2 1/2 c chicken broth may need extra 1/4 c. at end depending on how moist you like it
    • 1 pkg herb stuffing Pepperidge Farm , don’t substitute for any other brand or style, 14 oz.

    Instructions

    • Cook your ground sausage in a pan until no longer pink on the outside and set aside. 
    • In a large pot melt your butter. Add onions and celery, cook for about 3 minutes or until slightly softened. 
    • Add mushrooms, cook for another 2 or so minutes. 
    • Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. 
    • Add cooked sausage and stir. Bring to a slight boil again and then add bag of stuffing, turn heat off and fold together very gently to ensure breading is wet. Put lid on and let sit for 5 minutes or until stuffing mix is tender and has soaked up the liquid.
    • If you want it a bit moister add more chicken broth, usually only another 1/4 c. is necessary. Let it rest for about 5 minutes and serve!

    Video

    Nutrition Facts
    Pepperidge Farm Sausage Stuffing
    Amount Per Serving (2 oz)
    Calories 59 Calories from Fat 45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5g8%
    Saturated Fat 3g19%
    Trans Fat 0.2g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 13mg4%
    Sodium 269mg12%
    Potassium 132mg4%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 212IU4%
    Vitamin C 3mg4%
    Calcium 16mg2%
    Iron 0.2mg1%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)
    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Chelsea

    Wednesday 24th of November 2021

    Would there be any way to make this a day ahead of time?

    Brenda

    Wednesday 25th of November 2020

    Could I bake this in the oven and if so, for how long and what temp?

    Donna

    Tuesday 17th of November 2020

    I can't seem to find the video, can you explain where to locate it?

    The Typical Mom

    Tuesday 17th of November 2020

    It is near the top, if you have an ad blocker it wouldn't show up

    Rachael

    Thursday 28th of November 2019

    Making now!

    Rachael

    Saturday 30th of November 2019

    Made it exactly per directions but did not do the spicy sausage. It was delicious - everyone loved it and it’s so dang easy! Thank You!

    Carmen brown

    Tuesday 19th of November 2019

    Could I stuff this in my thanksgiving turkey? Sorry, first year cooking a turkey and I’m curious!

    The Typical Mom

    Thursday 21st of November 2019

    I do not like soggy stuffing so I don't stuff my turkey ever. I assume this would be just fine but havnen't done it.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.