Florentine Sausage, Ricotta, and Spinach Stuffing

Submitted by ratherbeswimmin

"Rick Rodgers"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 7 cups

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb sweet Italian sausage or 1 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
• 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs, made from day-old Italian bread
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove excess moisture
• 1⁄2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1⁄4 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

directions

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the sausage and Italian seasoning; increase the heat to med-high; cook, stirring often and breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the sausage is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
4. Scrape the sausage mixture into a large bowl.
5. Mix in the breadcrumbs, ricotta cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, eggs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
6. Transfer mixture to a lightly buttered shallow baking dish; bake, uncovered, in a preheated 350° oven for 30 minutes.
7. This makes a soft, spoonable stuffing.