Oyster Dressing Casserole

gailanng's Note:

An old family recipe that is tried and true. This can, also, be used to stuff a hen, turkey, patty shells or bellpeppers. Freezes well.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
• ½ lb hamseasoning or ½ lb ham steak , coarsley processed in food processor
• 8 ounces oysters , fresh with liquid
• 1 onion , chopped
• ½ bell pepper , chopped
• 2 stalks celery , minced
• 3 -4 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley
• 2 cups green onions , sliced thin
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet
• 1 -1 ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• salt
• pepper
• butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees.
2. Butter 13"x9" baking pan.
3. In large Dutch oven, brown ground beef and ham, breaking up large pieces; drain.
4. Add onion, bellpepper, celery and garlic; saute until tender.
5. In the meantime, without cleaning the processor from ham, add oysters with liquid and process until smooth.
6. Add oyster mixture to pot, stirring until well mixed, cooking about 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
7. Add parsley, green onions, paprika, and Kitchen Bouquet.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Turn off fire.
10. Add breadcrumbs and combine well.
11. Turn mixture into prepared baking pan and smooth top.
12. Sprinkle top with additional breadcrumbs and dot with butter.
13. Bake in preheated oven 20 to 30 minutes.