Step 1

Preheat the oven to broil.

Step 2

Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment and drizzle over the olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toast for 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown. Make sure to watch them so they don’t burn. Remove the cubes and switch the oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 3

Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion and thyme and season with salt and pepper. Saute until softened, about 8 minutes. Remove the vegetables to a large bowl.

Step 4

Add the toasted bread and saltines to the vegetables. Add the stock slowly, tossing gently, until the bread is moist but not too soggy; you may not use all of your stock. Place in a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes until golden brown.