Turkey Sausage and Pear Stuffing

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Makes 12 cups

• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for baking dish
• 1 (3/4-pound) loaf whole-grain bread, cut into cubes (4 cups)
• 1 pound sweet Italian-style turkey sausage
• 1/2 cup lower-sodium chicken broth
• 4 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 Bosc pear, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat oven to 350º F. Lightly oil a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Place bread cubes in a large bowl.
2. Remove sausage from the casings and break into 1/2-inch pieces. Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with bread cubes.
3. Return the skillet to the heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the broth and, using a wooden spoon, scrape any browned bits of sausage from the bottom of the skillet. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil, celery and onion; cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add pear and sage; cook 2 minutes more.
4. Transfer vegetable mixture to the bowl with the bread and sausage. Add egg and stir to combine. Add remaining broth, parsley, salt and pepper; mix well. Spread stuffing evenly in baking dish. Bake until top is crispy and stuffing is heated through, about 30 minutes.

NUTRITION ANALYSIS

Per 1/2 cup:

Calories 80 Total Fat 2 g (Saturated 0.5 g ) Protein 6 g
Carbohydrates 10 g Dietary Fiber 2 g Sodium 125 mg

Dietary Exchanges: 1 Carb, 0.5 lean meat