• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Dennis
  • Recipe Index
  • On the Road
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Seafood Appetizers

    Clams Casino Recipe – Restaurant Classic

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

    742 shares
    • Facebook222
    • Email
    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!

    • deviled clams on a white plate with lemon wedges
      Baked Stuffed Clams Recipe
    • overhead shot of garlic oysters on a white platter with lemon slices and parsley
      Garlic Oysters – A Restaurant Classic
    • oysters rockefeller with a slice of lemon on a bed of rock salt on a white platter
      How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • mussels with five different toppings on a white platter
      New Zealand Mussels Served 5 Ways

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    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 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes 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

    • crab stuffed mushrooms on a white plate
      Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
    • 10 best seafood appetizer collage
      10 Best Seafood Appetizers – Chef Approved
    • partial overhead view of peel and eat shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemons in a white bowl
      Restaurant Style Peel and Eat Shrimp
    • overhead view of shrimp cocktail and cocktail sauce on an iced plate with a lemon wedge
      Shrimp Cocktail Recipe {Restaurant-Style}

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Estelle Forrest

      July 12, 2020 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      Omg does this look divine. Bacon and clams is such a win!

      Reply
    2. Rachel

      January 17, 2019 at 12:31 pm

      This looks super fancy! I wonder if I can get good clams in my area. It is a bummer sometimes to be totally landlocked.

      Reply
    3. Catalina

      January 17, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      This appetizer is definitely very fancy and looks amazingly delicious! A must try recipe!

      Reply
    4. Terri Steffes

      January 17, 2019 at 10:42 am

      5 stars
      Oh, Chef. You have created a monster at our house. My husband LOVES this recipe and has included it in the next four gatherings we are hosting. It’s delicious, so thank you!

      Reply
    5. Louisa Moje

      January 17, 2019 at 9:58 am

      Now this Clams Casino looks delicious! I don’t think I’ve ever had this recipe but it sure makes my mouth water!

      Reply
    6. Chubskulit Rose

      January 17, 2019 at 9:52 am

      Now that looks like something my daughter would love. I love anything seafood so this is my jam, thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    7. Alyssa

      January 17, 2019 at 9:29 am

      I’ll be honest: I’m not a clams person. At all. But the finished product here is so beautiful and impressive, that it’s actually tempting me! 😉

      Reply
    8. Heather

      January 16, 2019 at 8:51 pm

      I need to make these for my husband. He would absolutely love these!

      Reply
    9. Pam

      January 16, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      I haven’t had clams casino in so long! It’s so good, I can’t believe it’s actually this easy to make.

      Reply
    10. Jenn@Engineermommy

      January 16, 2019 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      I don’t eat clams often but they are a delicious, delicate flavor. These Clams Casino look delicious and spectacular!

      Reply
    11. Marysa

      January 16, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      I’ve never had something like this, and I’ve never even actually cooked with clams. Looks like a fun recipe especially to serve when we have guests over.

      Reply
    12. Amber Myers

      January 16, 2019 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars
      These look good. My husband and kids love their seafood, so I imagine they’d enjoy these. I might surprise them one night!

      Reply
    13. Tomi C

      January 16, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      OMG Chef Dennis this recipe looks so delicious and those vibrant colors. I’ve never heard of Clams Casino before and now I can hardly wait to prepare this dish

      Reply
    14. Tasheena

      January 16, 2019 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never had claims casino before. This recipe looks so savory. I have to make this for my spouse. I know he would love it.

      Reply
    15. Melanie

      January 16, 2019 at 11:48 am

      I have never made any dish with clams. You make it look so easy and have definitely inspired me to give it a try.

      Reply
    16. Candy

      January 16, 2019 at 11:24 am

      Clams isn’t not something we can really get fresh where we live. These looks really delicious

      Reply
    17. Jeanette

      January 16, 2019 at 11:19 am

      I LOVE clams!! I will try them anyway they can be made! I have not heard of these before but I will be trying this recipe.

      Reply
    18. Melissa Chapman

      January 16, 2019 at 10:54 am

      I have never made clams casino but it looks like a great dish. It is upscale and too good sounding for a game and is perfect for a dinner part appetizer.

      Reply
    19. Alli Smith

      January 16, 2019 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      Your Clams Casino look so delicious and I LOVE the tip on opening clams. I had no idea! I always look forward to learning new tips and tricks when it comes to cooking.

      Reply
    20. Larry

      January 15, 2019 at 4:59 pm

      It’s been nearly 50 years since I had clams casino while living at home in South Jersey and after reading this I’m craving them – they look delicious and I’ll be looking for some clams.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 15, 2019 at 7:12 pm

        Thank you Larry, you really don’t see this recipe anymore, which is why I decided to share it.

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    Pinterest image for clams casino


    My name is Dennis Littley or “Chef Dennis” as I’m known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Fan Favorites

    • loaf of homemade artisan bread on a wooden cutting board
      Almost No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe
    • 2 Maryland crab cakes on a white plate
      Baked Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe
    • chicken parm with pasta on a white plate
      Chicken Parmesan Recipe
    • seasoned crispy chicken legs on a foil wrapped tray
      Best Baked Chicken Legs {Drumsticks}
    • side view of slice of bee sting cake being taken out of full cake
      German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • Tiramisu with a fork on a white plate
      Best Tiramisu Recipe {step by step}
    • overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter
      Easy Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
    • overhead view of veal parm and linguine on a white plate
      Restaurant Style Veal Parm Recipe

    Featured In

    logos of all the places chef dennis has been featured

    Popular Posts

    • crispy seasoned chicken leg quarters on a white platter
      Best Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
    • cropped-Gunniess-Beef-Stew-13.jpg
      Authentic Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
    • overhead shot of baked crab imperial on a white plate with sauteed greens and roasted potatoes
      Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
    • close up of half a chicken salad sandwich on a white plate
      Best Chicken Salad – Deli Style
    • oysters rockefeller with a slice of lemon on a bed of rock salt on a white platter
      How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • sliced dry rub roasted brisket with cilantro and tomatoes on on a white platter
      Easy Oven Baked Beef Brisket Recipe
    • rack of pork with end cut off
      Oven Roasted Rack of Pork {Pork Rib Roast}
    • sliced meatloaf with the rest of meatloaf on a white platter
      Classic Meatloaf Recipe with Zesty Glaze

    Footer

    Pinterest image for clams casino

    ↑ back to top

    INFO

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    SUBSCRIBE

    Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-quality recipes!

    CONTACT

    • About
    • Contact
    © 2009-2023 · Ask Chef Dennis ·

    Proud Member of:
    Mediavine Publisher Network
    742 shares
    • 222