This year, as I share this special Thanksgiving recipe, my heart is full of memories of my grandmother, who we sadly lost in August. Many of you who have followed my blog for a while know just how integral she and my grandfather were to my life and my culinary journey. They are now together again, and I imagine them smiling down on us as we gather to celebrate with the dishes they cherished. This particular stuffing was her signature contribution to our holiday table, and its presence brings a comforting warmth that truly embodies the spirit of family.

Originally published November 7, 2016

A Taste of Sicily on Thanksgiving: Our Unique Family Tradition

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I’m thrilled to be sharing one of our most beloved holiday recipes well in advance! Historically, I haven’t always been the most organized blogger when it comes to holiday posts, but this extraordinary Italian Thanksgiving Stuffing has been a staple for decades. Last year, I finally remembered to capture its essence through photographs, allowing me to share this cherished family recipe with all of you in perfect time for your holiday planning.

This is certainly not your conventional holiday stuffing, but for me, it’s the only stuffing that matters. Growing up with a family deeply rooted in Sicilian traditions, Thanksgiving wasn’t celebrated in the typical American fashion. While we always acknowledged the holiday, our menu reflected our heritage. The turkey would eventually make its grand appearance, but not before generous servings of homemade manicotti or a hearty plate of ziti graced our table. Classic American Thanksgiving sides like green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole were entirely foreign concepts to me until I reached college and later, when I was engaged to my husband. This Italian Stuffing, with its savory sausage, pasta, and spinach, perfectly encapsulates our unique blend of cultures. It’s unconventional, yes, but it’s a dish I eagerly anticipate every single year, a true highlight of our holiday feast.

Embracing and Expanding Our Family’s Culinary Legacy

The joy this stuffing brings extends beyond me; my children now share the same enthusiasm for it, and that truly warms my heart. Watching them embrace these traditions reinforces the happiness and connection that family meals create. It’s a testament to the enduring power of food in weaving the fabric of our lives.

My Nonna, my grandmother, was the original maestro behind this stuffing for as long as I can recall. However, as often happens in large families, the torch gradually passes. Over the years, my mom, my sister, and I have taken on more of the cooking responsibilities for our major holiday gatherings. I wholeheartedly embraced the role of preparing this particular recipe a few years ago, striving to recreate it as closely as possible to her original, unwritten “recipe” – a common characteristic of traditional family cooking, where precise measurements are often replaced by intuition and love.

For preparing this wonderful stuffing, I find Corningware baking dishes to be absolutely perfect. Their generous size accommodates a large batch, and the glass covers ensure even cooking and help keep the stuffing moist until the final browning. This particular set was a cherished wedding shower gift from my mom, making its use even more special.

Crafting the Ultimate Thanksgiving Feast

To complement our centerpiece turkey and this extraordinary Italian stuffing, I love to prepare a selection of other time-honored dishes for my family each year. These recipes balance the richness of the main course and add delightful variety to our holiday spread. Some of our favorites include my vibrant Apple-Orange Cranberry Sauce, which offers a bright, tangy contrast to the savory stuffing. Another go-to is my recipe for Roasted Green Beans with Shallots and Almonds, providing a crisp, earthy element. And, of course, no Thanksgiving is complete without these luscious Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Topping – though my family often insists on a generous layer of marshmallows too! Together, these dishes create a harmonious and unforgettable Thanksgiving meal that celebrates both our Italian heritage and cherished American traditions.

Now that you’ve discovered one of my family’s oldest and most beloved Thanksgiving recipes, I’d love to hear about yours! Please share your family’s unique holiday traditions and favorite dishes in the comments below!

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Italian Stuffing: A Family Thanksgiving Recipe

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  Author: Aggie Goodman
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  Cook Time: 60 minutes
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  Total Time: 1 hour
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  Yield: 12 servings 1x

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My family’s Italian Stuffing, a unique blend of savory sausage, tender pasta, and fresh spinach, is a treasured Thanksgiving recipe from my grandmother. It’s truly my favorite part of our holiday meal!

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Ingredients for Italian Sausage and Pasta Stuffing

• 2.5–3 lbs ground Italian pork, turkey or chicken sausage, casings removed (I highly recommend lean turkey sausage for a lighter touch)
• 1 lb box of Ditalini pasta (small, short tube pasta), cooked al dente
• 2 10 oz boxes of frozen chopped spinach, thoroughly defrosted and squeezed/drained of all excess liquid
• 5 –6 large eggs, well beaten
• 1 14 oz bag of classic herbed stuffing mix (Pepperidge Farms, blue bag, works wonderfully for this recipe)
• 2–3 cups of low sodium chicken broth (adjust to achieve desired moisture)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Italian Stuffing

1. Begin by cooking 1 lb of Ditalini pasta according to package directions until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside to cool slightly.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian pork, chicken, or turkey sausage (without casings) and crumble it as it cooks. Brown the sausage until it’s cooked through and no pink remains. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance its flavor.
3. In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled Ditalini pasta and the browned sausage. Add the thoroughly drained and squeezed chopped spinach to the bowl and stir gently to ensure all ingredients are well distributed. Next, incorporate the herbed stuffing mix, mixing it in until fully combined. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Finally, pour the beaten eggs over the stuffing mixture and mix thoroughly until the eggs are evenly incorporated and bind the ingredients.
4. Lightly grease your preferred baking dishes (I often use my beloved Corningware casserole dishes). Spoon the stuffing mixture evenly into the prepared dishes. Carefully pour the low-sodium chicken broth over the stuffing, ensuring it is distributed well to add moisture during baking. Cover the casseroles tightly with their lids or aluminum foil and place them into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. Bake for approximately 30 – 35 minutes, or until the stuffing is heated through and just beginning to brown around the edges. At this point, remove the cover from the casseroles and allow them to cook for another 5-10 minutes. This final step helps the top layer become beautifully golden brown and delightfully crunchy, adding a perfect texture contrast.

Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s Thanksgiving board on Pinterest for more holiday inspiration.