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Slow-Cooker Sausage Stuffing

This hearty stuffing requires no use of a stove-top or oven-simply add cut-up stale French bread, a few vegetables and sweet Italian sausage to a slow cooker and let the machine do the rest. Only a small amount of chicken broth is necessary because the vegetables and sausage give off so much liquid (and flavor).
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 12 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: central europe
Calories: 3135.7
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces plus more for greasing the slow cooker
  • 1 large crusty loaf of French bread or two baguettes not sourdough, cut into 1-inch pieces and staled overnight (about 14 cups)
  • 1 large onion cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
  • 2 medium carrots cut into 1/3-inch pieces (about 1 heaping cup)
  • 2 stalks celery cut into 1/3-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely-minced fresh thyme leaves
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage casings removed
  • 2 tablespoons roughly-chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart slow cooker
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl For tossing ingredients before adding to the slow cooker
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's Knife
  • 1 Spatula or Large Spoon For stirring

Method
 

  1. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 6-quart slow cooker with butter.
  2. Toss the stale French bread, butter, onions, carrots, celery, thyme and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper in the slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the bread mixture and toss to coat. Use your hands to tear teaspoon-size pieces of the Italian sausage and put them directly on top of the bread mixture. The sausage should cover most of the stuffing.
  3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, about 4 hours. Remove the lid and gently stir the sausage into the stuffing. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Transfer to a shallow serving dish and garnish with the chopped parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

1. Ensure the French bread is properly staled; this is crucial for the stuffing's texture, allowing it to absorb moisture without becoming soggy. Leaving it out overnight or toasting it lightly in a low oven can help. 2. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, consider lightly browning the sausage pieces in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This develops a delicious crust and renders some fat. 3. While the recipe suggests tearing sausage directly over the bread, consistent sizing ensures even cooking. 4. Taste and adjust seasoning rigorously before serving, as flavors can mellow during slow cooking. A pinch of nutmeg or a splash of apple cider can also elevate the profile.