Garlic Butter Tossed Heavenly Waffles Holiday Stuffing Recipe
A rich and aromatic holiday stuffing featuring crisp Heavenly Waffles cubes tossed in warm garlic herb butter, sautéed vegetables, and spicy sausage. This cozy and savory casserole is baked to golden perfection, making it an impressive centerpiece for Thanksgiving or winter gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Category: Stuffing
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
- Prepare the Heavenly Waffles: Cook 8 Heavenly Waffles (each about 4×4 inches). Let them cool slightly, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Set aside to dry slightly while preparing 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 onions are translucent and celery begins to soften.
- Brown the Sausage: In a separate skillet, brown the Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Strain off the rendered fat. Add the cooked sausage to the pan with the vegetables and herb butter, stirring to combine.
- Combine Everything: Place the Heavenly Waffles cubes into a large mixing bowl. Pour the sausage-vegetable mixture over the cubes. Toss gently to coat without crushing the waffle pieces.
- 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 and give a light stir to distribute the stock without breaking the waffle cubes. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is hot and tender. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Allowing the waffle cubes to dry slightly before mixing helps them absorb the flavors without becoming too soggy.
- Using fresh herbs elevates the aroma and flavor of the stuffing considerably.
- For a milder option, substitute spicy sausage with mild or turkey sausage.
- For extra crispiness, remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to restore crispness.
Keywords: Holiday stuffing, Heavenly Waffles stuffing, garlic butter stuffing, sausage stuffing, Thanksgiving side dish, baked stuffing, savory waffle stuffing
