In a large bowl, tear bread into small pieces and fluff with your hands to keep the pieces from sticking. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute’ onions in 4 TBSP of butter over medium heat. Crumble the sausage into the onions and cook through.
Add seasonings to the bread pieces and then pour the hot water over the bread. Toss the bread to wet thoroughly.
When the sausage and onions are finished, add the mixture to the bread and stir to evenly distribute. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and add to bread mixture, stirring quickly and well to keep eggs from setting up.
Melt the other 4 TBSP of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat and add dressing. Evenly distribute in the skillet, cover, and cook 4 minutes, turn and cover. Do this until the dressing is browned all over. You could also finish this in a slow oven (300°) until browned (about 15 minutes) or even in a crock pot on high for about an hour (it just won’t be quite as pretty).