SIMPLE STUFFING

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced bacon
• 2 tbsp salted butter
• 4 cups diced celery
• 4 cups diced onions
• 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp sage, crumbled
• 1 tsp thyme, crumbled
• 16 cups day-old cubed French bread cubes (1/2 inch)
• 1 1/2 cups no-salt-added chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sauté bacon in a large non-stick frypan over medium heat until browned and crisp, about 4 - 5 minutes. Add butter, stirring until butter is melted. Add celery and onions; sauté until vegetables are softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, sage and thyme; sauté for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool completely.
3. Combine bacon mixture, bread cubes, broth, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spoon mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
4. Bake until stuffing is golden brown and heated through, about 50 - 55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.