Oyster Casserole
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
17 mins
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Total Time
37 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
371 kcal
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Cuisine
American
Oyster Casserole
Description
Oyster Casserole uses fresh oysters blended with diced onion, bell pepper, celery, scallions, garlic, and mushrooms, all gently cooked before straining and mixing into a thick sauce made with butter, flour, half and half, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and Parmesan cheese. This sauce envelops the oyster mixture, which is then spread in a baking dish and topped with fresh breadcrumbs. The casserole is baked and broiled briefly to brown the topping, adding a crisp texture contrast to the creamy interior.
The flavor features a balanced combination of the briny oysters, the sweetness and depth of cooked vegetables, a touch of heat from hot sauce, and the richness of the Parmesan-thickened sauce. Texturally, the casserole is creamy inside with a golden, crunchy breadcrumb top.
Serve this casserole as an appetizer or a comforting side dish during seafood meals. Its distinctive oyster flavor and creamy consistency make it well suited for gatherings or special dinners where seafood is appreciated.
Prepare the casserole up to four hours before baking, but add the breadcrumbs just before cooking to ensure crispness. Keep a close watch when broiling, as breadcrumbs brown quickly. Substitutions for half and half are possible using whole milk or cream, and hot sauce quantity can be adjusted according to taste to reduce or eliminate spiciness.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 tablespoon butter divided, unsalted
- ½ cup onion chopped
- ½ cup green bell pepper seeded and chopped
- ½ cup celery chopped
- ¼ cup scallions sliced, white and green parts
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 oz containers oysters fresh, drained and rinsed
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour heaping
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 cup breadcrumbs fresh, chopped from a loaf of bread with the crust mostly removed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the butter until melted. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery, and cook until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the scallions and garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add oysters and mushrooms and bring to a simmer, stirring often, 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth, 1 minute.
- Stir in half and half, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper, whisking constantly, until very thick and beginning to bubble, about 2 to 5 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, about 1 more minute.
- Using a fine-mesh sieve or colander, strain the oyster mixture, and discard the liquid.
- Add oyster mixture to cheese sauce and stir until fully incorporated.
- Spread mixture in an 11x7-inch baking dish.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then toss breadcrumbs with melted butter and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the oyster mixture.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until bubbly. Remove the casserole from the oven and move the rack to the 2nd level under the broiler. Place the casserole under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, until the breadcrumb topping is slightly browned. Watch closely!!! Don't let burn, as broilers vary! Remove from oven and serve at once.
Notes
- Use fresh oysters drained and rinsed; avoid boiled or smoked oysters to maintain the proper texture and flavor.
- The casserole can be prepared up to four hours in advance; add breadcrumbs just prior to baking to keep topping crisp.
- Watch carefully under the broiler since the breadcrumbs brown rapidly and can burn easily.
- Substitute whole milk or heavy cream for half and half if preferred, adjusting thickness accordingly.
- Adjust hot sauce amount to taste; omit for no heat or use smaller quantities for mild spice.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 371 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 371kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 61mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 1037mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 410mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 814IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 179mg | 18% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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