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    Home » Recipes » Seafood Appetizers

    Clams Casino Recipe – Restaurant Classic

    Published: Jul 12, 2020 · Modified: Feb 21, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    712 shares
    • Facebook222
    • Yummly
    4.89 from 70 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest image for clams casino

    It had been a long since I’d indulged in Clams Casino or even thought about them. I had forgotten just how delicious they could be and how much I loved them.

    10 Clams Casino on a white plate with lemon slices

    Sometimes I think the world tends to forget about Classic Restaurant Dishes. As they become less trendy and chefs color outside the lines with their new creations, old favorites are forgotten.

    And that my friends is why I’m sharing one of my all-time appetizers with you. They’re really easy to make and will have you looking like a superstar in the kitchen!

    What is the difference between Clams Casino and Clams Oreganta.

    The much simpler version of Oreganata contains bread crumbs and seasonings. The upscale Clams Casino adds bacon, peppers, and onions creating a symphony of flavors.

    ingredients to make clams casino on a wooden cutting board

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Clams Casino. This is called a Mise en Place (everything in its place). Missing from the ingredients are bread crumbs and butter.

    bacon cooking in butter in a large saute pan

    The first step is to saute the chopped bacon in butter. I know it sounds crazy but it’s delicious and necessary.

    diced red, green and yellow peppers and diced onions in a large saute pan

    After the bacon has cooked for about 5 minutes, add in the diced peppers and onions. I used a mixture of sweet peppers but feel free to use all one color.

    seasonings added to the ingredients in a large saute pan

    After the mixture has cooked over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes add in the seasonings.

    Finished clams casino mix in large saute pan with a large spoon in the pan

    Mix the seasonings into the mixture. Mix well.

    finished clams casino mix in a stainless steel bowl

    Pour the mixture into a bowl and place in the refrigerator. Don’t freak out about the butter, as the mixture chills you’re going to stir it adding the butter proportionally throughout the mixture not just on the top.

    Let the mixture chill for at least an hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

    The mixture can be made up days in advance. It will hold well in the refrigerator.

    Do I need to clean the clams before opening?

    Before opening the clams place them in a bowl and allow cold water to run over them for about 5 minutes. Dump the water out every now and then to make sure it is as clean as possible.

    How do I open the Clams?

    Unless they are intended for Clams on a half shell, I have a secret method to make life much easier. Place the clams into the freezer for at least an hour or overnight. When removed from the freezer you’ll find the clams are opened slightly. And that means no clam knife, no accidental cuts and no trips to the hospital for stitches.

    Of course, if you’re a purist feel free to use a clam knife. But I promise not to tell anyone if you use my secret method.

    Using a small knife and place the blade in the corner of the shell and twist it to pop the shell open a little more, once it’s opened up, use the knife to go above and below the clam freeing it completely from the upper shell. Now twist off the top and discarded it, give the clam a quick rinse if necessary and use the knife to make sure the clam is loose from the bottom of the shell as well.

    The easier you make it to slurp the clam off entirely into your mouth the more clams you will be able to eat.

    tray of uncooked clams casino

    After all the clams are opened, using a tablespoon (or your hands) add a large spoonful of the casino mixture on top of the clam. Press it in firmly using the spoon or your hand.

    Chef Dennis Tip:

    *When purchasing any seafood, clams especially, look for a safe food source. If the clams are open prior to freezing or opening with a clam knife, discard them.

    Clams Casino sitting on a white plate with lemon slices

    Clams Casino are not difficult to make and the few extra steps involved are definitely worth the effort. After tasting your first one I’m sure you’ll agree!

    Recipe FAQ’s:

    Can you freeze Clams Casino?

    Clams Casino will freeze very nicely. After stuffing them, place the sheet pan in the freezer allowing the clams to freeze. After the clams casino have frozen solid place them in a container or ziplock bag for storage. The clams casino will hold up frozen for 4-6 weeks.
    **Cooking the frozen clams won’t take too much longer. Place them in a 375- degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are bubbly and nicely browned.

    Is there an easy way to open clams?

    Unless they are intended for clams on a half shell, I have a secret method to make life much easier. Place the clams into the freezer for at least an hour or overnight. When removed from the freezer you’ll find the clams are opened slightly. And that means no clam knife, no accidental cuts and no trips to the hospital for stitches.

    Can I use clams that are already open?

    No, if clams, mussels or oysters are open when you buy them, that means they are dead and not safe to consume. Sometimes they will open slightly and if you tap them a few times they’ll close, but if they remain open, discard them, DO NOT COOK or CONSUME THEM.

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Baked Stuffed Clams Recipe
    • Garlic Oysters – A Restaurant Classic
    • How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • New Zealand Mussels Served 5 Ways

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    Clams Casino sitting on a white plate with lemon slices
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    4.89 from 70 votes

    Clams Casino

    One of my all time favorite appetizers is Clams Casino. It’s an item you rarely find on menus these days but it is truly a Classic Restaurant Dish. Check out my easy to make recipe.
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 123kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 24 top neck clams thoroughly rinsed
    • 8 ounces butter 2 sticks
    • 8-10 slices bacon thinly sliced
    • 1 small red bell pepper small dice
    • 1 small yellow bell pepper (or green bell pepper) small dice
    • 1 Large Spanish or Vidalia onion small dice
    • ½ cup Romano cheese grated
    • 2 tbsp Italian parsley finely chopped
    • 1 tbsp dried oregano
    • ¼ tsp black pepper
    • ¼ cup bread crumbs unseasoned
    • 1 lemon optional- garnish
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • You can open your clams the old fashioned way or use my shortcut and place the thoroughly rinsed clams in the freezer for a minimum of one hour up to a week. The clams will open slightly which will allow you to easily open them the remainder without risking cutting your hand.
    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Place sliced bacon and butter into a large saute pan or pot and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes
    • Add chopped bell peppers and onion and continue to cook over low heat for about 15 minutes.  
    • Remove the pan from the heat and add the grated Romano cheese, bread crumbs, black pepper, chopped parsley and oregano.  Mix well.
    • Place casino mixture into the refrigerator to allow the fixture to firm up. Stir Mixture occasionally so all the ingredients stay well blended.
      This will take at least 2 hours, so give yourself time. 
    • Open clams, running a knife under the clam to make sure it is unattached from the shell. Place the opened clams on a cookie sheet until ready to fill.
    • Remove casino mix from the refrigerator. Using a tablespoon add the prepared Casino mix to the clam. Make a nice mound of it on top of the clam by pressing the casino mix into the clam firmly with your hand. 
      Repeat this process until all of the clams are stuffed.
    • Place the clams into a preheated 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15-20 minutes or until the bacon and tops begin to get nicely browned.  
    • Remove carefully from the baking dish. Re-stuff clams with the mix that fell out if necessary. 
      Serve clams on a serving dish or on a bed of rock salt with lemons and parsley as a garnish.

    Notes

    *I used multi-colored peppers for visual effect. You can use just red or green if you like.  Any type of white or yellow onion is fine.  I prefer Vidalia onions.
    *Use dry oregano, fresh does not work as well in this dish
    *Casino mix can stay refrigerated for at least 3 days before you use it.
    *Clams can remain in the freezer unused for up to a week.
    *Once clams are stuffed they can remain refrigerated for 1-2 days or frozen for later use.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 480IU | Vitamin C: 11.8mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

    More Seafood Appetizers

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    • 10 Best Seafood Appetizers – Chef Approved
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    • Shrimp Cocktail Recipe {Restaurant-Style}

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. C.Rosa

      September 11, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      Casino has been one of my favorites and never thought of making them at home until I saw this recipe and they came out better than some local restaurants thank you chef for this easy to make recipe and so delicious.
      Also thank you for the advice on freezing the clams work perfectly👍👍

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 11, 2021 at 3:17 pm

        I’m very happy to hear you made my favorite clam appetizer, and also that you found them easy to make. I hope you find more recipes on my site to try.

        Reply
    2. Tom Shuford

      March 04, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      Just read your recipes for oysters Rockefeller and clams casino. I can’t wait to try them. Quite interested in the stuffed mushrooms also.
      Look forward to your other recipes as well. Thank you for your efforts.

      Reply
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