Last Updated on January 28, 2026 by Lisa Keys
Sausage stuffed apples with cranberries is a show stopper. It is a New England inspired recipe featuring cranberries, apples, cheddar cheese and walnuts. If you want to impress your guests with a little something hearty, sweet and savory this is the recipe for you. Definitely a tailgate upgrade.
All kinds of Apples
This week's grief lesson and recipe are brought to you by a chance meeting with "a genius" at the Apple store. If you own an Apple anything you probably are familiar with all the friendly folks who provide such fabulous customer service and classes at your local store.
I especially enjoy the "one-to-one" tutoring learning about iphoto and photo organization. As I am working with Charlie I mention a small glitch I am having with the computer. He immediately signs me in to have a session with a repair associate. While I am at it he recommends I also meet with a business associate in case I ever want to turn this blog into a business. I am flattered.
Off to the "Genius" bar I go where Chris is now analyzing my computer. He is reading and talking in code and I fully understand how he's earned the title of "Genius". I have no clue what he is saying or doing, but I nod politely and go along with it. Meanwhile, the business associate joins us and asks me to tell him about my food blog.
We chat for a few minutes and then I turn my attention back to Chris who has completed the diagnostics. It comes as no shock that he has figured out the computer glitch, but what he says next completely surprises me. He looks me straight in the eyes and says, "I am going to read your blog. You see I have been going through some things with grief that I don't understand. It isn't getting better ".
Just listen
Gosh darn it if I didn't feel like "the Genius" now. It's not a job I trained for, but I sure could relate to what he was trying to figure out. I could not fix it like a computer, but maybe I could help in some small way. I hope I listened well and I hope that I did the best teaching of my life in that moment with Chris who was feeling so alone in the middle of that crowded Apple store.
Sausage stuffed apples ingredients
- Granny smith apples are tart and hold their shape when baked.
- Italian sausage with our the casing. Sweet or hot or both.
- Brown sugar with a tough of molasses balances the tart cranberries.
- Cabot cheddar is the preferred brand.
Are you anticipating a big crowd around your TV for the Superbowl? This recipe landed me a finalist spot in the Ocean Spray Tailgate recipe contest a few years ago and a trip to Gillette stadium where the New England Patriots play. I remember the judge, Chef Ming Tsai saying my recipe would be fit for a tailgate with Martha Stewart. I was flattered. If you want something less fancy then go for the sausage and peppers sandwich.
Sausage Stuffed Apples with Cranberries
Ingredients
- 8 large Granny Smith apples
- 8 ounces sweet or hot Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup Ocean Spray® Cran•Apple™ Cranberry Apple Juice Drink
- 2 cups Ocean Spray® Fresh or Frozen Cranberries coarsely chopped plus 16 whole berries
- 1 large egg slightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Slice off 1 inch from top of each apple. Core apples, but do not go through bottom. Scoop out remaining apple flesh, leaving ¼-inch shell. Chop scooped apple flesh.
- Cook sausage in large skillet over medium heat, stirring to crumble, until no longer pink. Add onion and chopped apples; cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes or until onion is softened.
- Add juice drink, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of skillet.
- Transfer mixture to large bowl. Add chopped cranberries, egg, brown sugar, parsley, thyme and 1 cup cheese; mix well.
- Fill apple shells with stuffing. Sprinkle tops with remaining cheese and the walnuts.
- Top each with 2 whole cranberries. Place apples in large baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Wendy says
Dearest Lisa,
All of your writing touches my heart and this one did too, especially so. You just never know when you are going to make a difference is someone's life, even an almost stranger. Keep on going with this! Your words are powerful and they matter.
XO Wendy
Lisa says
Thank you for the encouragement.
Daryl says
I love you
Lisa says
I love you, too!
theculinarycellar says
You touch so many people, and there are many more Chris's to come.
The stuffed apples sound heavenly.
Lisa says
Yes-sadly there are many.
Martine Fusco says
Lisa, I smiled as I read about your encounter with the genious at the Apple store. Until a year ago, I lived next door to an Apple "genious" and they are amazing. Travis' parents divorced and he was torn where to live, but now lives with his dad! There really is no one out there not struggling with something ... How nice that you helped each other! Keep up the great work you do and your recipe sounds amazing. I host Super Bowl at my house but saw this too late for tomorrow, but will make it another time. Hope all is going well for you!!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Martine. I agree that we are all struggling with something. In a moment everything can change for better or worse. It is then that one has to make some tough choices. A simple smile, lending an ear or touch of the hand can make all the difference in the world.
I bet your game day spread will be super delicious
Carol says
I love reading your blog. These sound wonderful. There are no coincidences in life, I believe your were directed there and that is what is called a GodWink.
Lisa says
Have not heard this term before "Godwink"--thank you for that and for reading!
Krista says
I know how Chris feels. Food is such a big part of my family's life and Aidan loved cooking. I won't forget the day I found your blog. I want you to know how much I truly look forward to it.
The apples look delicious. Although I wanted to scrap cooking for the Super Bowl , my kids begged me to make my tried and trues for the game. We are expecting snow tomorrow, so I'll be trying them then. (Although I did use some of my Kind spices on 1/2 the wings!)
Go Pats
Lisa says
I bet the best part of that Super Bowl were the goodies you served. I thought the commercials (especially Nationwide on child accident prevention) sad and so I had to turn it off. I heard the Patriots won so hope that made you smile.
Tracy says
Beautiful story. I'm sure he was touched by your "genius"!!
Lisa says
Well I sure hope I said the right thing and that maybe Chris will stop by the blog to learn that he is never alone. The funny thing is that I had another blog post all ready to go but meeting him changed all that.