28ounceschicken stock (use homemade or from a box)
2poundsJimmy dean regular sausage or your preferred brand.
Instructions
Toast the bread the day before
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut bread into cube size pieces, place in large aluminum roasting pan or tray and spread the bread cubes out in a single layer. Sprinkle with poultry seasoning.
Bake until golden, turning once halfway through cooking in order to brown all sides of the cubes. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the cubes, so watch to be sure that they do not burn. (Mine generally take between 15-20 minutes.)
Prepare the stuffing/dressing
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, celery, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until vegetables have softened, approximately 5 minutes.
Add the other stick of butter then add the 2 lbs of sausage and start breaking it with a spoon to crumble and to cook evenly.
Transfer mixture to a very large bowl or a large aluminum roasting pan. Then add the bread cubes and enough broth so the mixture is well moistened. Mix everything with hands. Check for seasoning. Diane's note: You can gauge moistness and add more broth as needed. You want the dressing to stick together nicely, evenly moist, but not too loose.
Bake it!
Place the stuffing in a large baking dish (you may have to use two large baking dishes) and bake uncovered, for 30 minutes or until the top begins to brown.
Notes
Less expensive sandwich bread works as well as expensive.