Step 1

Heat the oven to 275°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 275°F. Coat a 9x13-inch or 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2

Tear the bread into small pieces. Tear or cut 1 loaf bread into small, 1/2-inch pieces (about 10 cups).

Step 3

Bake the bread. Arrange the bread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the bread is dry, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the aromatics and herbs.

Step 4

Prepare the aromatics and herbs. Dice 2 medium yellow onions (about 2 cups) and 3 celery stalks (about 1 cup). Peel and dice 1 apple (about 1 cup). Mince 4 garlic cloves. Finely chop the following and place in a large bowl: 1/4 cup parsley leaves, 1 tablespoon sage leaves, and 1 tablespoon thyme leaves.

Step 5

Sauté the aromatics. Melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery, apple, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and sauté until softened and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Transfer to the bowl with the herbs.

Step 6

Toss the bread, herbs, and aromatics together. When the bread is ready, transfer to the bowl with the herbs and toss to combine.

Step 7

Increase the oven temperature to 350°F. Increase the oven temperature to 350°F.

Step 8

Brown the sausage. Return the pan to medium-high heat and remove the casings from 1 pound Italian sausage. Add the sausage to the pan and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, 6 to 8 minutes.

Step 9

Deglaze the pan with chicken broth. Add 1/2 cup of the chicken broth to the pan and scrape with the wooden spoon to loosen any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Transfer the sausage and any remaining liquid to the bowl of bread and toss to combine.

Step 10

Add the eggs and remaining broth. Whisk 2 large eggs and the remaining 2 1/2 cups chicken broth together in a medium bowl, then pour over the stuffing mixture. Stir until evenly moistened.

Step 11

Bake the stuffing. Transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until browned on top and heated through, about 15 minutes more.