Better Than Aunt Patti's Cornbread Dressing

My Aunt Patti has been the designated cornbread dressing maker in my family for as long as I can remember. I was unable to attend Thanksgiving at her home this year so I set out on a mission to make my own dressing... it is my favorite dish at our holiday meals. I'm very proud of this recipe. It has turned out great. Aunt Patti would be heartbroken, however. So unfortunately, I'm gonna have to keep this a secret from my family. But I am thrilled to share this recipe with you. But please don't tell Aunt Patti.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 10
• Yields: 1 9x13 casserole

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup butter or 1⁄3 cup margarine
• 1  cup celery, chopped fine
• 1⁄2 cup onion, chopped
• 6  cups  crumbled  cornbread (Two packages of Martha White or Gladiola yellow cornbread mix )
• 2  teaspoons dried sage or 2  teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 4  cups chicken broth

Directions

1. Cook cornbread according to package directions. Cook for the minimum time and don't let cornbread brown as much as you normally would. Cut it up into pieces and after cool enough to handle then crumble it up leaving no large chunks and transfer to a very large mixing bowl. (I use the bowl from my Kitchen Aid).
2. In a microwaveable bowl (I use my four cup Pyrex measuring cup) put in your onion and celery and 1 cup of water. Microwave for 5-8 minutes until celery and onion are soft depending on how finely you sliced them. (keep the vegetable broth! it adds a of flavor!) Drop in the butter and let melt.
3. Combine all ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix well until cornbread has absorbed most of the liquids. It will be a little soupy but don't worry about it. Pour into a sprayed 9x13 casserole dish and bake at 425 for 30 minutes.
4. The center might still be a little wiggly but that is ok. It will set up nicely as it cools.
5. I cook in glass Pyrex cookware so if you are using a dark metal 9x13 casserole pan the cooking time might need to be less. I really don't know. Sorry.