This is the most good Pepperidge Farm sausage stuffing recipe! 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 we had given birth to our second daughter. It was a few days before Thanksgiving and our neighbor brought dinner over to us. The dressing was SO good that we asked our friend Valerie if we 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 we 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! We're telling you that this goes with everything, not served in November with family. We serve it next to roasted duck too because after we had it first we couldn't stop talking about “that stuffing”. We still do 'til this day. We mean ground Jimmy Dean spicy sausage goes with everything, makes it heartier with a bit of heat.

Now when any holiday is around the corner we think back on that good stuffing and had to find out what was in it.
We finally asked our friend to share “the secret” with us. If you're looking for the best Thanksgiving stuffing recipe, this is it!

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

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

We do have a few tips you should follow to get it from a good bite to good. 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 must have some inside go for it, but cook the majority of your stuffing on the stovetop as we show in the video we'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

Pepperidge Farm stuffing breadcrumbs
Celery diced will give it a bit of texture
Onions are great for taste and texture, we usually use yellow
Mushrooms baby bellas are best because they will stay a bit more firm and not break down so easily
Ground sausage – Jimmy Dean spicy is best
1. Italian sausage can be used if you can't find the above
Chicken broth is better than water to moisten up the dish, way better than water
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 we make stuffing the day before?

Because it uses vegetables in it, and broth, your stuffing will have a 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.

Pepperidge Farm Sausage Stuffing

By This Pickford Pepperidge Farm sausage stuffing is the MOST good side dish to make for Thanksgiving, Easter, and year round! Super easy. Prep: 10 minutes minsCook: 15 minutes minsTotal: 25 minutes minsServings: 10 Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe Comment Print Recipe

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 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 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!

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side DishCuisine: American Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

Serve it with

A pressure cooker turkey saves room in your oven. Smoked turkey is our 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 is a MUST we tell you!! If it's something you've never tried we guarantee it will fly off the table and your guests will ask for the recipe.

Other Stuffing Recipes you'll Love

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 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.