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Golden baked cornbread dressing garnished with fresh thyme and sage
4.83 from 45 votes

Cornbread Dressing Recipe

This easy Cornbread Dressing is buttery, savory, and perfectly moist with a golden, crisp top. Made with homemade cornbread, Italian sausage, sautéed vegetables, fresh herbs, and rich chicken broth, it’s a comforting holiday favorite that can be made ahead, refrigerated, or frozen for later.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Chill Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 678kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 cups sweet cornbread - chopped into 1-inch cubes (see notes)
  • 16 ounces mild Italian sausage - or breakfast sausage, ground (see notes)
  • 2 ribs celery - diced
  • 1 white onion - diced
  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 tablespoon fresh parsley - chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage - chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme - chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt - plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper - plus more to taste
  • cups chicken broth - or chicken stock
  • 3 large eggs - brought to room temperature and whisked together

Instructions

  • One to two days before: Prepare and bake enough cornbread to give approximately 12 cups of cubed cornbread. I always double the recipe and make a double batch.
  • Preheat oven to 300℉ and grease a large 9x13-inch baking or casserole dish.
  • Layer the corn bread cubes onto a large baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes or until they are crusty and dried out. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees f.
  • In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the sausage, breaking it apart into smaller pieces as it cooks.
  • Once browned, stir in the diced celery and onion. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is fully cooked, about 8 minutes.
  • Stir in the butter, garlic, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and black pepper, and cook for another minute.
  • Increase the heat to high and stir in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil before reducing the heat to medium-low heat. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool for one minute before stirring in the whisked eggs.
  • Reserve ½ cup of the cornbread cubes and gently toss the rest into a large bowl with the sausage. Mix well until combined.
  • Spread the dressing out into the prepared baking dish. Top with the reserved ½ cup of cornbread cubes. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the top turns golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Cornbread: I like to make this recipe using my sweet homemade cornbread. If you prefer a less sweet, southern-style cornbread, try making it with my easy cornbread recipe. Both recipes include buttermilk so you get that rich, buttery, tender cornbread we've all come to love. You may also make it with boxed cornbread, such as Jiffy.
  • Sausage: The addition of sausage is completely optional. If you prefer a more traditional southern cornbread dressing, feel free to omit the sausage from the recipe.
  • Herbs: Fresh herbs add brightness, but dried herbs can be substituted using one-third the amount. You can also substitute using approximately 2-3 teaspoons of my homemade poultry seasoning.
  • Moisture: The dressing should be moist but not soggy. If it looks dry before baking, add a splash of broth.
  • Make-Ahead: The cornbread can be made up to two days in advance, or you can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
For more information about the ingredients, FAQs, and make-ahead tips, please visit the full post. And if you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!

Nutrition

Calories: 678kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 209mg | Sodium: 1307mg | Potassium: 551mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 777IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 4mg
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