Apple, Butternut and Sausage Dressing

Name: Apple, Butternut and Sausage Dressing
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 2 pans (10 servings each).
Ingredients: 1 medium butternut squash (about 3 pounds), peeled and cubed; 3 medium tart apples, peeled and cubed; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 6 thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped; 1 pound maple pork sausage; 4 celery ribs, chopped; 2 medium onions, chopped; 2 medium carrots, shredded; 6 cups seasoned stuffing cubes, divided; 2 cups crushed multigrain Club Crackers (2-1/2x1 inch) (about 40 crackers); 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk; 1 can (10-1/2 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted; 6 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 cup cooked long grain rice; 1 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning; 1 teaspoon rubbed sage; 1/2 teaspoon celery salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/2 cup butter, cubed

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1-1/4 hours Bake: 45 min. YIELD: 2 pans (10 servings each).

I'd heard about using squash in dressing, so I combined four things I love into one dish: apples, butternut squash, bacon and maple sausage! Now, it's one of the most requested dishes during the holidays. —Brenda Crouch, Ansley, Nebraska

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash (about 3 pounds), peeled and cubed
3 medium tart apples, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pepper
6 thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped
1 pound maple pork sausage
4 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 medium carrots, shredded
6 cups seasoned stuffing cubes, divided
2 cups crushed multigrain Club Crackers (2-1/2x1 inch) (about 40 crackers)
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
1 can (10-1/2 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup cooked long grain rice
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup butter, cubed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Place squash and apples on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast until tender, about 25 minutes. Reduce oven setting to 375°.
2. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings.
3. Add sausage, celery, onions and carrots to pan; cook over medium-high heat until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, 10-12 minutes, breaking up sausage into crumbles; drain.
4. Transfer to a large bowl. Add 5 cups stuffing cubes, crackers, evaporated milk, soup, eggs, rice, sour cream, seasonings and reserved squash mixture and bacon; toss. Transfer to 2 greased 13x9-in. baking dishes. Lightly crush remaining 1 cup stuffing cubes. Sprinkle over tops; dot with butter.
5. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly and lightly browned, 15-20 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 401 calories, 26g fat (10g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 793mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 11g protein.