Not Ya Mama s Oyster Dressing

½ cup butter

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped, or more to taste

1 ½ tablespoons dried parsley

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

1 quart fresh shucked oysters, drained and liquid reserved

1 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9-inch square baking dish.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion and garlic until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until combined, and gently mix in the oysters. Cook, stirring often, until the edges of the oysters begin to curl, about 8 minutes. Stir in the bread crumbs and reserved oyster liquid until the stuffing is thoroughly combined. Lightly spoon the stuffing into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the stuffing with Parmesan cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.