When it’s time to start planning your meal for big holiday dinners like Thanksgiving and Christmas, you likely gravitate toward the same dishes time after time. Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, a roasted turkey or prime rib. But what if you decided to change it up a bit this year, perhaps with a traditional oyster casserole? This oyster casserole recipe is a creamy, salty, crunchy dish that would add a unique flair to your holiday spread. It’s one of our favorite oyster recipes to make when we have fresh oysters to work with.
What are scalloped oysters?
A casserole dish that is “scalloped” is a combination of foods that are cooked in milk or cream, covered in a crunchy breadcrumb-like topping, then baked until bubbling. This oyster casserole recipe can also be referred to as scalloped oysters, which is a traditional Southern staple dish served during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some may also call it oyster pie or oyster dressing.
Oyster Casserole Ingredients
- Butter-flavored crackers: Butter crackers are crushed and used to bulk up this casserole, then sprinkled on top to give the finished dish that added crunch.
- Butter: Butter adds a richness to this recipe that pairs well with the cooked oysters.
- Nutmeg: Ground nutmeg is sprinkled in to give this oyster casserole recipe an extra something special.
- Oysters: Fresh oysters are used in this recipe. You can find a pint of pre-shucked oysters in the seafood section at the grocery store.
- Cream of mushroom soup: A can of condensed cream of mushroom soup (undiluted) is added to thicken the casserole and add flavor.
- Milk: A small amount of milk is used to loosen up the mushroom soup and mix together with the rest of the ingredients. You can use whatever milk-fat percentage you have on hand.
Directions
Step 1: Mix the topping
Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, toss together the crushed cracker crumbs and the melted butter. In another small bowl, mix the salt, nutmeg and pepper.
Step 2: Layer the casserole
Grease an 11×7-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Layer half the crumbs, half the shucked oysters, then 1/4 teaspoon of the seasoning mixture. Combine the soup and milk and pour it over the top, then layer the remaining oysters and another 1/4 teaspoon of seasoning mix.
Step 3: Top and bake
Top the casserole with the remaining crumbs and seasoning. Then bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Oyster Casserole Variations
- Make it creamier: Want an even creamier casserole? Consider swapping out the can of condensed soup with half-in-half or heavy cream.
- Use canned oysters: Can’t get access to fresh oysters? You could also use canned or tinned whole oysters for this recipe. Be sure to drain and rinse the oysters thoroughly before mixing up this casserole.
- Add in other flavors: While the ingredients in this oyster casserole recipe are pretty basic, feel free to get creative with other flavor profiles. Minced garlic, parsley, even a splash of Worcestershire sauce would enhance this dish.
How to Store Oyster Casserole
Oyster casserole can last in the fridge for two days, sealed well with plastic wrap or stored in an air-tight container. However, the creamy texture of this dish is best served fresh, so keep that in mind before making a big batch.
How do you reheat oyster casserole?
If you do have leftovers, for the best results, reheat the casserole dish in the oven at 350° until the casserole is hot and bubbling again. Seafood isn’t the best to heat in the microwave, so we highly recommend the oven.
Oyster Casserole Tips
Should you rinse oysters before cooking?
Yes. Whether you’re buying a pint of fresh oysters or whole oysters in a can, drain the oysters and rinse them before cooking. Oysters have been shucked by hand and can be exposed to dirt, so it’s best to rinse them off. It will also help to balance out the flavor of this dish.
What kind of crackers should I use?
Any cracker that is listed as a “butter cracker” will work fine for this recipe. Some scalloped oyster variations will use saltine crackers, if you prefer a crunchier and saltier texture and taste.
Can I use margarine for oyster casserole?
While margarine can be used as a substitute for some recipes, for an oyster casserole, we recommend keeping to just butter for the best results.
