1 lb baked and cooled Cornbread (boxed or homemade) - cut into 1 inch cubes (apx 6 Cups)
1 lb Italian Sausage Meat
3 Stalks Celery - diced
1 Medium Onion - diced
¾ Cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
¼ Cup Whole Milk
2 Tbs Unsalted Butter + more to butter baking dish
1 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves - rough chopped
2 tsp Fresh Sage - minced
2 Large Eggs - beaten
Kosher Salt to taste
Fresh Ground Black Pepper to taste
-OPTIONAL GARNISH-
¼ Cup Flat Leaf Parsley - rough chopped
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375ºF
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering - Add sausage meat and cook (making sure to break it up as you go) until browned and cooked through (apx 8 minutes) - Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage meat to a large mixing bowl
Add the 2 Tbs of butter to the same skillet and allow to melt - Add the celery and onion and sauté until slightly softened (apx 5 minutes) - Add thyme and sage and thoroughly combine - Season with salt and pepper to taste (apx 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper) - Thoroughly combine
Add the chicken broth to the skillet to deglaze using a rubber/silicone spatula to scrape up the 'brown bits' from the bottom of the skillet - Transfer the mixture to the mixing bowl with the browned sausage meat
Add the cornbread pieced and, while gently folding, slowly add the milk (you want the mixture to be moist but not wet so adjust amount as needed) - Fold in the egg until thoroughly combined
Butter a 8"X8" baking dish or 2 ½ quart casserole - Transfer the mixture to the buttered dish and gently 'spread' into a single layer
Place in the center of the oven and allow to bake until the top is golden brown and the stuffing/dressing is 'set' in the center (apx 30 minutes)