Restaurant-Style Clams Casino

Name: Clams Casino
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
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)

4.89 from 70 votes

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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.

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.

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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:

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

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

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