Sausage Apple Stuffing

Ingredients

• 10 slices bacon, diced (6 ounces)
• 1 lb pork sausage (jimmy dean breakfast sausage is best)
• 2 large onions, chopped (2 cups)
• 8 ounces mediem-size mushrooms, sliced (2 cups)
• 3 medium celery ribs, chopped (1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon dried sage, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 lb tart apple, cored and cut in 1/2-inch peices (3 cups)
• 1 loaf day-old white bread, cut in 1/2-inch cubes (10 cups)
• 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/4-1 3/4 cups chicken broth

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Mix bread and parsley in a large poy or bowl.

3. 3

   Cook bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.

4. 4

   When bacon is browned , crumble in sausage. cook, stirring 2 or 3 times, until sausage loses its pink color.

5. 5

   Add remaining ingredients except chicken broth and bread mixture to skillet.

6. 6

   Cook 5 to 7 minutes until apples and celery are crisp-tender, stirring twice.

7. 7

   Add to bread mixture; toss to mix, then add broth.

8. 8

   Grease a 3-quart casserole.

9. 9

   Transfer stuffing to prepared casserole and bake 35 to 40 minutes until top is lightly browned.