Kittencal's Holiday Cranberry Stuffing Balls

Total Time: 3 hrs 10 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 3/4 lb small lamb sausage (or use italian sausages, casings removed)
• 3 tablespoons butter (can use a bit more)
• 1 small onion (very finely chopped)
• 1 small celery, finely chopped
• 1 -2 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (optional or to taste)
• 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth (or use 1/2 cup regular chicken broth and 1/4 cup water)
• 1 (120 g) package turkey stuffing mix
• 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen, finely chopped)
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
• seasoning salt (optional and to taste) or salt (optional and to taste)
• melted butter

Recipe

• 1 remove the sausage from casings, then place the sausage in a skillet; brown over medium heat breaking up the meat into very small pieces while cooking (about 8 minutes) set aside.
• 2 melt 3 tablespoons butter in the same skillet; add in onion and celery; sauté for about 5-6 minutes or until very soft (adding in the garlic the last 2 minutes of cooking).
• 3 add in the cooked sausage back to the skillet, then add in the chicken broth; bring just to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits in the bottom of the skillet, then place the sausage/onion mixture into a large bowl.
• 4 add in the stuffing mixture packet along with the chopped cranberries, parmesan cheese and eggs; mix until well combined.
• 5 season with lots of black pepper and a little salt.
• 6 cover and chill the mixture for about 2 hours.
• 7 using moistened hands form the mixture into small even balls and place the balls into a shallow greased casserole dish.
• 8 if you find that the mixture is too moist and will not hold together well just add in a little dried bread crumbs, if it is too dry add in more broth or water, add in just enough to hold the balls together when shaped.
• 9 brush or drizzle the balls with melted butter.
• 10 at this point you can cover the balls and refrigerate for up to 24 hours to bake later.
• 11 set oven to 350°f.
• 12 bake covered loosely with foil or bake uncovered (the balls with be more crispy on the outside if baked uncovered) for about 12-15 minutes (the baking time will vary slightly, it will depend on the size you shape the balls).