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This recipe for Sausage Cornbread Dressing has been the favorite at our house for decades! Corn bread stuffing combined with sausage and brown rice make a delicious combination.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Family Favorite: This sausage cornbread stuffing recipe is my families favorite Thanksgiving side dish. It is a traditional cornbread stuffing with sausage and brown rice.
Flavor Combo: I love the combination of cornbread stuffing, sausage and brown rice in this recipe. The brown rice adds a nice texture and a nutty flavor. It has the perfect flavor combination to compliment your Thanksgiving turkey and Thanksgiving menu.

Ingredients Needed
- Cornbread Dressing. NOT “Stove Top Stuffing Mix”, you want just the dry stuffing mix that comes in a bag or box.
- Brown Rice, cooked according to directions on package.
- Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage
- Chicken Broth
- Celery
- Onion
- Butter, salted.
How to Make Sausage Cornbread Dressing:
- Cook the rice according to the package instructions, until fluffy.
- Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté the celery and onions in the butter until they are soft.
- Mix together cooked rice, dressing, cooked sausage, celery and onion mixture in a large bowl.
- Add in chicken broth and stir to moisten.
- Place mixture in a 9 x 13 in baking dish, cover, and bake at 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until browned and crispy around edges.

Tips from leigh Anne
- One of the reasons I love making a dressing rather than a stuffing is that I can control the moisture. I don’t like a soggy, wet stuffing but prefer my dressing on the drier side. If you want this dressing damper, just add more gravy to it!
- You can use pork, chicken or turkey sausage in this recipe. Just use uncooked bulk sausage, not sausage links. If want to make this recipe vegetarian you can leave out the sausage all together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a stuffing and a dressing?
The main difference is the way it is cooked. Stuffing is cooked inside the cavity of the turkey and the juices of the turkey soak into the stuffing making it flavorful. Dressing gets cooked on it’s own and needs extra liquid to add flavor to it.
The terms are used interchangeably though.
How do you store leftover sausage cornbread dressing?
Leftover dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
I can’t find cornbread stuffing can I use regular or herbed stuffing?
Yes, sometimes the cornbread stuffing can be hard to find. I have used plain and herbed stuffing before.
Can I make sausage cornbread dressing ahead?
Yes, I always make mine 1-2 days ahead of time, keep it covered with foil and in the refrigerator until ready to bake. It is the perfect make ahead side dish.
Check out more of my favorite recipes:
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Sausage Cornbread Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup brown rice
- 12` oz cornbread dressing 1 box
- 16 oz Jimmy Dean regular sausage 1 package
- 1 1/2 cup celery chopped
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Boil water and add brown rice. Cover and cook until rice is cooked and fluffy (about 30-45 minutes)
- Brown sausage.
- Melt butter and saute celery and onions until soft.
- Mix together cooked rice, dressing, cooked sausage, celery and onion mixture.
- Add in chicken broth and stir to moisten.
- Place in a 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 degrees F covered for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for another 15 minutes until browned and crispy around edges.
Tips & Notes:
-
- One of the reasons I love making a dressing rather than a stuffing is that I can control the moisture. I don’t like a soggy, wet stuffing but prefer my dressing on the drier side. If you want this dressing damper, just add more gravy to it!
-
- You can use pork, chicken or turkey sausage in this recipe. Just use uncooked bulk sausage, not sausage links. If want to make this recipe vegetarian you can leave out the sausage all together.
- I always make my dressing 1-2 days ahead of time, keep it covered with foil and in the refrigerator until ready to bake. It is the perfect make ahead side dish.

Angela says
OMG!!! Leigh Anne – this was the most delicious stuffing I’ve ever had & my family agrees! I added some sauteed mushrooms & next time might add some chopped pecans & maybe craisins or raisins. Thanks for the wonderful recipes you share! I’ve already told several friends about it & posted a link to your website so they could make it.
Camryn says
WOW. YUMMY!! Hey there–I’m visiting from MMB. This post made me hungry. I think I’m drooling….
Thanks for sharing your recipes!!
Susan Forehand says
Leigh Anne – this looks amazing….I’m on my way to the grocery store!! Isn’t there an easy way to print this recipe from your website?! Thanks!!!
Melanie says
I knew we were soulmates since I like my stuffing dry, too. I’ll definitely have to try this. Oh, and your son’s comment cracked me up. Stuffing eating contest? Who ever heard of such a thing? This must be some good stuffing!
Clark says
Best stuffing ever! This comes from someone who has eaten their fair share of stuffing in my day. I even took second place once in a stuffing eating contest. If you know what’s good for you will make this stuffing this Thanksgiving, I’ve eaten it every Thanksgiving for the last 23 years and it never gets old! (Oh I’m the one on the far right of the picture under favorite things)