The Best Clams Casino
Our favorite party starter, the very BEST Clams Casino are packed with zesty, butter flavor and are so simple to make. Chopped clams are tossed with a buttery stuffing and topped with a sliver of bacon before being baked to perfection.
Clams Casino
When summer rolls around, I like to fill my days with as much sand, surf and seafood as I can. I know it’s very possible to enjoy seafood all year long but ever since I was little I felt it was a true necessity to eat all the clams, crabs and lobster I possibly could every time we were at the shore.
I still have that urge, to round out every meal with a pile of shellfish and a big bowl of butter for dipping but one of my favorite things to eat ever all year long is Clams Casino. And trust me, I’ve had my fill of bad clams casino so it was important that I made the BEST Clams Casino recipe you would ever sink your teeth into.
This easy Clams Casino recipe is a great appetizer for parties. You can prep them in advance and pop them in the oven right before you’re ready to serve.
Simple Ingredients
- Fresh Clams – I like to use a smaller clam like cherrystone clams or littleneck clams. They seem to have the best flavor and are not overly salty tasting.
- Bacon – Chopped bacon gives so much flavor to the clam stuffing. You can use uncured bacon or smoked bacon depending on what you like best.
- Bell pepper – Finely diced red bell pepper adds a hint of sweetness balancing out the brininess of the clams.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves give the best flavor.
- Bread Crumbs – I like to use Panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture.
- Seasoning – Italian seasoning, lemon zest, fresh parsley, kosher salt and black pepper add the perfect balance of flavors.
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to Make Clams Casino
This recipe for Clams Casino couldn’t be simpler to make.
- Render bacon in a large skillet or pan then transfer it to a small bowl with a slotted spoon before it becomes to crispy.
- Wash the clams in cold water and arrange on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Roast the clams in the oven until they all open discarding any unopened clams.
- Remove the clam meat from the open clams and chop roughly. Set aside.
- Add the veggies (onions, garlic, red pepper) to the bacon fat in the skillet and cook until softened. Toss it all with panko bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, lemon zest and the chopped clams.
- Stuff the clam shells with the breadcrumb mixture and place a piece of bacon on top of the clam before baking until crispy and golden brown. Drizzle the cooked clams with lemon juice.
- Serve warm.
To remove excess sand from the clams, place a fine mesh sieve in a bowl and fill with cold water. Soak the clams in a bowl of cold water for 1 hour. Remove the clams from the water by lifting the sieve out of the water. (Do not dump the water and the clams out at the same time our you’ll pour the sand back onto the clams.)
This is the easiest and BEST Baked Clams Casino recipe around. You can even prep ahead and bake them right before serving. They’re perfect for parties or lazy summer days hanging by the pool.
What are Clams Casino?
Clams Casino are a “clams on the half shell” appetizer made of chopped clams, bread crumbs and bacon. Originating in Rhode Island, this New England style appetizer is popular all over the United States in various forms.
Many versions of Clams Casino are simply a stuffed clam with the same buttery stuffing baked on top but my version is even better because I tossed chopped clams in the stuffing so you don’t have that one chewy piece that sometimes can just be a bit too chewy. Like a big ball of never ending chewing gum.
More Easy Seafood Recipes
I love to round out a seafood party spread with this Cheesy Baked Crab Dip, my absolute favorite Grilled Seafood Paella (it’s so totally amazing), this refreshing Mango Crab and Avocado Salad and a big pile of Maryland Crab Cakes!
Serving Suggestions
You can also find these Baked Clams Casino at every holiday party alongside this Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with homemade Cocktail Sauce and a few of my FAVE Lobster Arrancini. Everyone goes crazy for all three of these simple to make recipes.
To see what else I’m making for my summer parties be sure to follow along on Instagram!
Get the Recipe: The Best Clams Casino Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 littleneck or cherrystone clams
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 3 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash the clams and rinse to remove any sand. Arrange the clams on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until opened, approximately 4-5 minutes. Discard any unopened clams.
- Remove the clams from the shells. Roughly chop the clams and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until almost crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the onion and bell pepper to the pan. Cook until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning.
- Turn off the heat. Add the bread crumbs, cheese, lemon zest, parsley and clams to the pan tossing to combine thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Fill the clam shell halves with a tablespoon of stuffing and arrange on a baking sheet stuffing side up. Top each clam shell with a piece of bacon. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake the clams casino at 450 degrees for 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired prior to serving.
Video
8 Comments on “The Best Clams Casino”
This is by far the best clams casino recipe ever. Delicious.
I used hot peppers vs bell peppers and added a few tablespoons of the clam juice to the mixture and each cooked up beautifully.
Love the addition of hot peppers! I’m so happy you liked it.
I want to use canned chopped clams. How much should I use for this recipe?
You should be good with a 6.5 ounce can of chopped clams.
Can these be made ahead and froze. Before the baking of course.
Yes, you can definitely make in advance and freeze. No need to thaw before baking, just bake a little longer to ensure they’re cooked through.
Great flavor and relatively easy. Thank you for the instruction.
Thank you! I’m happy you enjoyed them!