Baked Stuffed Clams, also known as "stuffies" in New England, are a quintessential seafood dish that combines the briny sweetness of clams with a savory, aromatic stuffing. This classic appetizer or main course is a staple in coastal communities and seafood restaurants, and its popularity has spread far and wide.
These delectable clams are typically prepared by steaming or baking, then stuffed with a tantalizing mixture of breadcrumbs, herbs, vegetables, and seasonings. The stuffing can vary depending on personal preference or regional traditions, but it often includes a combination of ingredients like celery, onion, garlic, bell peppers, parsley, thyme, and paprika. Some variations may also incorporate chopped clams, bacon, or sausage for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Once the clams are stuffed, they are baked until the stuffing is golden brown and the clams are cooked through. The result is a symphony of flavors and textures that bursts in your mouth with every bite. The tender, briny clams perfectly complement the savory, aromatic stuffing, creating a harmonious balance that is both satisfying and delightful.
Whether you're a seasoned seafood lover or new to the culinary delights of the ocean, Baked Stuffed Clams are a must-try dish that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. With its versatility and endless variations, this classic seafood dish is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen and a hit at your next gathering.
This article features three enticing recipes for Baked Stuffed Clams, each offering a unique twist on this timeless dish. From the traditional New England Stuffies to the flavorful Italian-inspired Clams Casino, and the creamy and indulgent Stuffed Clams with Spinach and Cheese, these recipes cater to a wide range of preferences.
So dive into the world of Baked Stuffed Clams and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you savoring the taste of the sea and craving more.
BAKED CLAM "STUFFIES"
These stuffed clams are a Rhode Island specialty! Large clams can be tough because of their size-but when steamed and chopped, they add bite and briny flavor to a soft, chorizo-vegetable stuffing. Finished in the oven for a golden Parmesan crust, this is a fun, satisfying appetizer to eat, straight from the shell.
Provided by Michael Ruhlman
Categories main-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Steam clams: Preheat oven to 350 F. Rinse clams in water to remove any sand or grit. (Alternatively, clams can be soaked in water up to 1 hour.) In a large Dutch oven over high heat, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Add clams to the boiling water; cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook until clams are open, 7-10 minutes, checking after 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables.
- Vegetables: Small-dice the onion. Remove and discard the seeds and white ribs from bell pepper, then small-dice. Trim away the top and bottom of the celery, then small-dice. Roughly mince the garlic. Set all the vegetables aside.
- After 5 minutes, check the clams; transfer the ones that have opened to a bowl. Continue steaming the remaining clams until they are all open, discarding the ones that are cracked or don't open; reserve the clam broth in the Dutch oven. Allow the clams and clam broth to cool.
- Stuffing: In a large sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. When foamy, add vegetables and sweat until soft, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes. Meanwhile, remove clams from their shells; set the shells aside. Optional: Cut the clams in half, then remove and discard any dark detritus in the bellies. Roughly chop the clams, then set aside.Separate the clam shells at their hinges; rinse and dry, then pick 12 of the nicest-looking half-shells and scrape off any muscle that remains attached. Set aside.
- When the vegetables are soft, add the chopped clams, chorizo, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook until the chorizo fat begins to render, 1-2 minutes. Meanwhile, place Ritz crackers in a plastic zip-top bag. Crush into a coarse meal using a rolling pin, and set aside. (Note: If using unseasoned breadcrumbs, add a pinch of dried parsley, dried thyme, and dried oregano, and mix to combine.)
- Set a coffee filter into a small bowl. Strain about 1 cup of the reserved clam broth through the filter to remove sand and impurities. Set aside the strained broth.To the clam mixture, add ½ cup breadcrumbs, the crushed crackers, and ½ cup strained broth. Stir to combine, adding more breadcrumbs as necessary for a moist, stuffing-like consistency. Turn off heat and let cool, 10 minutes.
- Bake: Place the 12 clean, dried shells on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Heap each shell with plenty of clam stuffing, lightly packing it so nothing spills out. Top with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake until Stuffies are heated through and begin to brown on top, 15-20 minutes.When Stuffies are lightly brown, turn on the broiler. Place the tray on the top rack, 6 inches from the heat source, and broil until brown and crusty on top, about 2 minutes. (Keep a close eye on the Stuffies so they don't burn!)
- Remove from oven and arrange shells on a serving platter. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges and hot sauce on the side.
STUFFED CLAMS
Steps:
- Saute chopped onions, diced pepper and sliced mushrooms in 1/4 cup butter. Add to chopped clams, and season with salt, pepper and garlic.
- Add the clam mixture to crushed Ritz crackers and 1/4 cup of melted butter until the mixture holds together but is not too greasy.
- Stuff the clam shells with the mixture and bake for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
DAD'S FAMOUS STUFFIES
The third of July is almost as important as July Fourth in my family. We make these stuffed clams on the third every year, and it's an event in and of itself! -Karen Barros, Bristol, Rhode Island
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h35m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Add 2 in. water to a stockpot. Add clams and chourico; bring to a boil. Cover and steam 15-20 minutes or until clams open., Remove clams and sausage from pot, reserving 2 cups cooking liquid; cool slightly. Discard any unopened clams., Preheat oven to 350°. Remove clam meat from shells. Separate shells; reserve 30 half-shells for stuffing. Place clam meat in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl., Remove casings from sausage; cut sausage into 1-1/2-in. pieces. Place in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Add sausage, onion and seafood seasoning to chopped clams. Stir in stuffing cubes. Add reserved cooking liquid and enough water to reach desired moistness, about 1 cup., Spoon clam mixture into reserved shells. Place in 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Preheat broiler., Broil clams 4-6 in. from heat 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. If desired, serve with lemon wedges and pepper sauce. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked stuffed clams in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan until firm. Transfer to freezer containers; return to freezer. To use, place 3 stuffed clams on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel; microwave on high until heated through, 3-4 minutes. Serve as directed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 296 calories, Fat 11g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 71mg cholesterol, Sodium 1188mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 18g protein.
BAKED STUFFED CLAMS (STUFFIES)
Easy to make and very easy to eat!!
Provided by Eddie Szczerba
Categories Seafood Appetizers
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- 1. Start by steaming the clams in two cups of water seasoned with a half a lemon,two bay leaves and a pinch of old bay seasoning,about five minutes and they should open. If any did not,throw them out,they're dead. When done remove the clams and save the shells for stuffing.Reserve the liquid.
- 2. To a large bowl add the chopped clams with the juice from one container.Add the chopped parsley,sauteed garlic,carrots and shallots,spices,roasted peppers,one and a half sticks melted butter and herbed stuffing. Mix together well.
- 3. Using a tablespoon fill each half shell generously smoothing over the surfaces when done.Garnish each clam with grated cheese the paprika,baste with butter while baking in a 350 pre-heated oven for twenty minutes or so,serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges. Enjoy!! :)
BAKED STUFFED CLAMS
My clams are requested all the time. They are the perfect appetizer for any occasion and so easy to make. Definitely guaranteed to rival anything you get in a restaurant! Great to freeze and have as a quick snack anytime. (Note: if you don't have clam shells, form tin foil into clam shaped cups, and proceed as directed.)
Provided by Danielle Merk
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Seafood
Time 1h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
- In a large frying pan, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until translucent. Stir in clams, crab meat, parsley, lemon pepper, and bread crumbs. Reduce heat to low, and slowly pour in clam juice until mixture is slightly sticky, but not wet. The bread crumbs will continue to absorb moisture, so be careful not to add too much clam juice.
- Fill each clean clam shell with mixture, pressing tightly into shell. Arrange on a baking sheet, and sprinkle lightly with paprika. (Stuffed shells may be covered and frozen at this point for later use.)
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and sizzling. If frozen, bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until warmed through. Serve warm on a platter with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 258 calories, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 38.5 mg, Fat 8.8 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 15.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 385.5 mg, Sugar 2.5 g
STUFFED CLAMS WITH LINGUICA AND CORN
In Rhode Island, baked stuffed clams are called "stuffies." This recipe is extra-savory, thanks to the addition of the Portuguese smoke-cured pork sausage linguica, which is flavored with garlic and paprika. It is very popular in Rhode Island and other New England states, long home to Portuguese communities.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Time 1h
Yield Makes 24
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Fill a large pot with 2 inches of water, and bring to a boil. Add clams, cover, and cook just until they open, about 6 minutes (start checking after 5 minutes and discard any clams that have not opened after 7 minutes). Remove clams, and pour broth through a fine sieve into a bowl; reserve 1/2 cup. Remove clams from shells, reserving shells, and roughly chop clams. Transfer clams to a large bowl.
- Separate clam shells, and remove muscles. Wash and reserve 24 shells.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Chop or pulse sausage in a food processor until chunky. Melt butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add onion, celery, and corn, and cook until edges start to brown, about 6 minutes. Add sausage and cayenne, and saute until warmed through, about 1 minute. Add mixture to clams. Stir in reserved clam broth, the lemon zest, and breadcrumbs until just incorporated.
- Place shells on a rimmed baking sheet, and divide mixture among shells (do not pack). Cover with parchment-lined foil, and bake until hot throughout, about 30 minutes. Remove foil, and turn oven to broil. Broil clams on middle rack until crisp and browned on top, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges for spritzing.
BAKED STUFFED CLAMS
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Yield Makes 16
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion until softened but not browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute, stirring, just until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add wine, and bring to a simmer. Add clams, and stir to combine. Cover and steam until clams have opened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer clams to a rimmed baking sheet to cool, discarding any that do not open. Strain clam broth through a fine sieve, and reserve broth for making stuffing.
- When clams are cool enough to handle, remove all meat, and reserve. Remove half of each clam shell, and discard. Arrange the remaining halves on a rimmed baking sheet. Cut each clam into ½-inch pieces; return pieces to shell. (Clams can be prepared to this point up to 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Dividing evenly, press Herbed Breadcrumb Stuffing into clam shells, smoothing with the back of a spoon. Bake until tops are golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Nestle clams on seaweed, if desired, and serve immediately.
BAKED STUFFED QUAHOGS OR CLAMS (RHODE ISLAND STYLE)
Quahogs as we call them in RI are actually large chowder clams. These are delicious but take a little time to prepare. You can make these ahead and freeze them until you are ready to bake and eat. I'm Italian and this is a favorite for our Christmas Eve fish dinner - but we also enjoy them during the summer! YUM!
Provided by Golden Sunflower
Categories Summer
Time 1h10m
Yield 24 stuffies, 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven 350 degrees.
- Shuck quahogs/clams. Chop quahog meat into bite size chunks and set aside. Save shells and juice. You should have 24 shells for 24 "stuffies". Scrub the shells clean before stuffing.
- Melt 1/2 stick of butter and saute celery and onion on medium low heat for about 5 minutes. Add white wine, remaining butter and clam juice and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes to reduce liquid just a bit and butter is melted. Add chopped quahogs and remove from heat. Strain and separate liquid from solids - do not toss anything!
- In a large bowl add stuffing, pour liquid on stuffing. If stuffing is dry add more of the clam juice. Stuffing should have a sloppy soupy consistency.
- Add clam and veggie mixture to stuffing. Remember stuffing must be soupy because when it cooks the liquid will dry up.
- Add 1 T Old Bay at a time, mix and taste - if you need more flavor add a little more. Be careful - Old Bay is salty.
- Place shells on a large pizza/cookie sheet. Spray each with a little oil spray to prevent stuffing from sticking.
- Scoop a large amount of stuffing in each of the quahogs - you may be able to use all 24 shells.
- A few things to remember - do not over cook quahogs in pan w/veggies, stuffing must be soupy - if it's dry add a little more clam juice, be careful with the Old Bay. This a an easy recipe, but it took me a couple of times before I perfected it.
- I put 35-40 minutes for cooking - but when the stuffing is set and the top is crunchy and brown - they are done!
- Enjoy!
Tips:
- Prep your clams: Before you start cooking, make sure your clams are properly cleaned. Scrub the shells thoroughly and remove any sand or grit.
- Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your stuffed clams. Whenever possible, opt for fresh seafood, vegetables, and herbs.
- Don't overstuff the clams: When filling the clam shells, be careful not to overstuff them. Too much stuffing can make the clams difficult to eat and can also cause them to burst open during baking.
- Bake the clams at a high temperature: This will help to create a crispy, golden-brown crust on the stuffing and ensure that the clams are cooked through.
- Serve the clams immediately: Stuffed clams are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. Serve them with lemon wedges and plenty of melted butter for dipping.
Conclusion:
Baked stuffed clams are a delicious and versatile appetizer or main course. They can be enjoyed on their own or served with a variety of dipping sauces. Whether you're a seafood lover or just looking for a new and exciting recipe, baked stuffed clams are sure to please. So next time you're looking for a special dish to impress your friends or family, give baked stuffed clams a try. With their flavorful stuffing, crispy crust, and tender clams, they're sure to be a hit!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love