Name: Baked Stuffed Clams
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 24 middle-neck clams or top-neck clams (rinsed well to remove sand and grit ); 3 tablespoons onion (fine dice); 3 tablespoons bell peppers (finely diced); 1 clove garlic (minced); 2 slices bacon (finely chopped); 1/4 cup butter (½ stick); 2 tablespoons parsley (finely chopped); 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain); ¼ cup clam juice (liquid from steaming the clams- more if needed); ¼ cup Romano cheese (grated); 1 teaspoon oregano; ¼ black pepper; ¼ crushed red pepper; 12-14 clam half-shells (well rinsed, foot removed)

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Growing up at the Jersey Shore, one of my favorite appetizers was Baked Stuffed Clams. Somehow, they got the name of Deviled Clams, which helped their popularity at shore restaurants.

Seafood appetizers were always popular during my restaurant days at the Jersey Shore, and my version of Baked Stuffed Clams was always a clear winner when it came to appetizers.

baked stuffed clams on a white plate with lemon wedges

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The biggest difference between baked stuffed clams and my clams casino recipe is the amount of bread crumbs that are used to make the stuffing. Other than that and a little added extra heat (optional), the ingredients are the same,

Ingredients to make Baked Stuffed Clams

Gather the ingredients to prepare our baked stuffed clams recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means “everything in its Place.”

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

How to make Baked Stuffed Clams

Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make baked stuffed clams in your home kitchen.

The first step in making Baked Stuffed Clams is prepping the clams. That means thoroughly rinsing the clams in cold running water. This process usually takes about 5 minutes to make sure you’ve gotten as much of the residue off the clams as possible.

After cleaning the clams, you’re ready to steam them open. Over high heat, in a medium to large pot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ cup water. Add the clams to the pot and cover, allowing the clams to cook for 6-10 minutes or until the shells have all opened.

Once the clams have steamed open, you can remove the clams from the pot to let them cool until you can comfortably handle them.

Remove the clam meat from the clams (not the clam foot, which is attached to the shell) and chop into small pieces.

**Save the clam broth that you don’t need for this recipe for later use in soups or sauces.

Pick 12 of the best clamshells for stuffing. Break apart the clamshells from their hinges, removing the foot from the shell. Rinse the shells in cold running water until clean. Set aside until needed.

How to make the stuffing for the clams

sauteed peppers and onions in a large skillet

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the bacon, onion, and peppers; saute for 2 minutes, then add the garlic and continue to saute for another minute.

ingredients to make deviled clams in a large skillet

Remove the pan from the heat and add the minced clams, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley, lemon juice, seasonings, and clam juice.

deviled clam stuffing in a large skillet

Stir until the stuffing mixture is completely moistened. The stuffing should be moist but not soggy. Add more clam juice if too dry or more bread crumbs if too wet.

Stuff the clam shells with the deviled clam mixture and place them on a baking sheet.

*You can freeze the deviled clams at this point on the baking sheet. Then store them in an airtight container until you want to bake them.

Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees F., or until the tops start to brown.

cooked deviled clams on a white plate with lemon wedges

Serve the baked stuffed clams with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Store any leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container or well covered with plastic wrap for 2-3 days. Reheat in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees has been reached. They can be stored frozen for up to three months.

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deviled clams on a white plate with lemon wedges

Baked Stuffed Clams

Chef Dennis Littley

If you love seafood and wish you could cook like your favorite restaurant you're going to love my Baked Stuffed Clams! It's easy to make and my restaurant-style appetizer is sure to amaze your friends and family!

4.99 from 84 votes

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Course Appetiser, Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 51 kcal

Ingredients

24 middle-neck clams or top-neck clams rinsed well to remove sand and grit
3 tablespoons onion fine dice
3 tablespoons bell peppers finely diced
1 clove garlic minced
2 slices bacon finely chopped
¼ cup butter ½ stick
2 tablespoons parsley finely chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup breadcrumbs plain
¼ cup clam juice liquid from steaming the clams- more if needed
¼ cup Romano cheese grated
1 teaspoon oregano
¼ black pepper
¼ crushed red pepper
12-14 clam half-shells well rinsed, foot removed

Instructions

Rinse clams in cold running water changing out the water frequently until the water starts to run clear. Remove all sand and grit.
*Discard any clams that are not closed or that won't close when you tap them on the counter. These clams are dead and should not be consumed.
Over high heat In a medium to large pot add 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ cup water. Add thoroughly washed clams to the pot and cover. Allow to cook for 6-10 minutes or until the shells have all opened.
Remove the clams from the pot and let them cool until you can comfortably handle them.
**Save the clam broth that you don't need for this recipe for later use in soups or sauces.
Remove the clam meat from the clams (not the clam foot which is attached to the shell) and chop into small pieces.
Pick the best clam shells for stuffing, gathering enough for the amount of clams you're making. Break apart the clamshells from their hinges removing the foot from the shell. Rinse the shells in cold running water until clean. Set aside until needed.
*You will only be using ½ of each clam shell, 24 pieces in total.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the bacon, onion and peppers, saute for 2 minutes then add the garlic and continue to saute for another minute.
Turn off the heat and add the minced clams, bread crumbs, Romano cheese, parsley, lemon juice, seasonings and clam juice.
Stir until the stuffing mixture is completely moistened. The stuffing should be moist but not soggy. Add more clam juice if too dry or more bread crumbs if too wet.
Stuff clam shells with stuffing and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees F. Or until the tops start to brown.
Serve with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 26mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 140IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.3mg

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Comments

4.99 from 84 votes (57 ratings without comment)

Baked Stuffed Clams Recipe

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Ingredients to make Baked Stuffed Clams