Something outside the box on Thanksgiving

I decided to try my hand at stuffing this year. Usually I'm a Stove-Top girl, but with Boats making his famous Amazing Green Turkey I decided to step up my game. So I shot my Cuz a message(via FB of course) for an awesome stuffing and this is the one she gave me. And boy wad she right! It is fantastic! So next time you wanna spice it up a bit, try this Italian Sausage stuffing (and go w the wine, gives the bread a great flavor)


Ingredients

1 (19.76 ounce) package Johnsonville® Mild Italian Sausage (Ground or de-cased links)
1/4 cup olive oil, separated
2 (12 ounce) loaves focaccia bread, cut into 1-in. cubes
1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed olives, chopped
5 large leaves fresh basil, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups water or white wine
1/4 cup butter, cubed


Directions
In a skillet, cook and crumble sausage in 1 tbsp. olive oil until no longer pink; set aside. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes and the remaining oil. Sprinkle with pepper; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 15-in. x 10-in. baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until crisp and a lightly browned, stirring once. Remove pan to a wire rack to cool slightly.
In a very large bowl, combine the bread cubes, reserved sausage, Parmesan cheese, green pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, basil and garlic. Combine eggs and water; pour over bread mixture and toss to coat. Transfer to a buttered 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Dot with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until hot.