Servings: 5 to 6

1 (1-pound) loaf day old bread cubed (about 6-7 cups) 1 (1-pound) loaf day old bread cubed (about 6 to 7 cups)
½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium/large onion) 1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium/large onion)
¾ cup day old celery ¾ cup day old celery
1 clove minced garlic 1 clove minced garlic
1 teaspoon sage 1 teaspoon sage
½ teaspoon thyme ½ teaspoon thyme
¼ teaspoon pepper ¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon celery seed (increase to ½ teaspoon if not using chopped celery) ¼ teaspoon celery seed (increase to ½ teaspoon if not using chopped celery)
½ teaspoon poultry seasoning ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 cups chicken/turkey broth, more as needed 2 cups chicken/turkey broth, more as needed
½ pound cooked and drained pork sausage (optional) ½ pound cooked and drained pork sausage (optional)

PICK UP THE BREAD ON MONDAY TO BEGIN DRYING!
Cube bread then spread out on baking sheet and let sit overnight to dry out.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Fill 9X6-inch baking dish (about a 2 to 3 quart baking dish with cubes, heaping up a bit. This will let you know how many cubes you need.
Put bread cubes into a large mixing bowl.
Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and celery, and saute until tender 4 to 5 minutes. Add remaining seasonings and saute until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes then add, garlic, sage and thyme, salt and pepper. Saute until vegetables are soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Add 2 cups broth to the butter mixture and give it a good mix.
Add butter/seasoning mixture to bread cubes and mix well. Be sure to soak ALL bread cubes; if necessary, add more broth.
Transfer to 9X6-inch baking dish (about a 2 to 3 quart baking dish). Cover with foil and bake until heated through, 40 to 50 minutes. Uncover; bake until dressing is browned and crisp, 10 to 15 more minutes.

PICK UP THE BREAD ON MONDAY TO BEGIN DRYING!  PICK UP THE BREAD ON MONDAY TO BEGIN DRYING!
Do not use Publix pre-dried bred cubes - they're too dry!  Do not use Publix pre-dried bred cubes - they're too dry!
Publix Chicago Italian bread is perfect for this. Get the sandwich cut.  Publix Chicago Italian bread is perfect for this. Get the sandwich cut.
DO NOT OVER BAKE. Dressing should be moist, not crunchy.  DO NOT OVER BAKE. Dressing should be moist, not crunchy.
Original recipe from Dale. No other attribution.  Original recipe from Dale. No other attribution.