By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 21, 2023
Scalloped oysters are a real treat for any seafood lover and one of my favorite Thanksgiving sides . I mixed plump, briny oysters with buttery crackers, Panko breadcrumbs, and tons of delicious spices to create this classic oyster casserole. It’s a creamy, must-have dish for any big feast and fits right in with all my favorite holiday sides.
It’s just not Thanksgiving without a hot plate of scalloped oysters. I made this super simple oyster casserole with pantry staples so it’s ready to go whenever I am. It takes just 15 minutes to get this thing in the oven, so I always pop it in just before guests arrive. So yummy!
What’s in This Scalloped Oysters Recipe?
- Ritz Crackers : The perfect crunchy, salty, and buttery topping for this casserole. Any kind of cracker will work well, so feel free to use your favorite.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Make the topping light and crispy. Regular or Italian breadcrumbs will work here, but it won’t turn out quite as crispy.
- Butter: Unsalted butter keeps the casserole moist and binds the topping.
- Spices : Salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper enhance the flavor of the topping.
- Lemon Zest: Adds brightness and freshness to the topping.
- Oysters: I used canned shucked oysters to make this recipe easy. You can also use shucked fresh oysters if you have them available.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the casserole moist and rich. For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tangy and umami flavor to the casserole.
Tips for Success
- You can layer the oysters and crackers up to 1 day in advance. Add the cream just before baking.
- For extra saltiness and oyster flavor, save about ¼ cup of the oyster liquor (canning liquid) and stir that in with the cream.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover scalloped oysters tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes if refrigerated or 1 hour if frozen.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve these scalloped oysters with holiday dinner . Whether it’s turkey , ham , or beef tenderloin , this oyster casserole feels right at home.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1½ cups crushed Ritz crackers
- ▢ ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ▢ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (¾ stick)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ▢ 16 ounces canned shucked oysters drained (2 cans)
- ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
- ▢ ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ Chopped fresh parsley optional, for serving
- ▢ Lemon wedges optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a dish, combine the crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, butter, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon zest, and cayenne pepper. 1½ cups crushed Ritz crackers, ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon lemon zest, ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Layer ⅓ of the cracker mixture in the bottom of a greased casserole dish.
- Layer half of the oysters over the crackers. 16 ounces canned shucked oysters
- Continue to layer with another ⅓ of the crackers, and the remaining oysters.
- Top with the remaining cracker crumbs.
- Combine the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce, and pour this over the top. 1 cup heavy cream, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
- Top with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges. Chopped fresh parsley, Lemon wedges
Becky’s Tips
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Scalloped Oysters Step by Step
Mix the Topping: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a dish, combine 1½ cups of crushed Ritz crackers, ½ cup of Panko breadcrumbs, 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon of onion powder, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of lemon zest, and ⅛ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper.
Layer the Casserole: Layer ⅓ of the cracker mixture in the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Layer 8 ounces (1 can) of canned shucked oysters over the crackers. Continue to layer with another ⅓ of the crackers, and the remaining 8 ounces (1 can) of canned shucked oysters. Top with the remaining cracker crumbs.
Top with the Sauce: Combine 1 cup of heavy cream and ½ teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, and pour this over the top.
Bake and Serve: Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling. Top with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
More Seafood Recipes to Try!
Seafood Lasagna
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
New England Clam Chowder
Creamy Garlic Scallops
Scalloped Oysters Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups crushed Ritz crackers
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (¾ stick)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 16 ounces canned shucked oysters drained (2 cans)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Chopped fresh parsley optional, for serving
- Lemon wedges optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a dish, combine the crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, butter, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon zest, and cayenne pepper. 1½ cups crushed Ritz crackers, ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon lemon zest, ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Layer ⅓ of the cracker mixture in the bottom of a greased casserole dish.
- Layer half of the oysters over the crackers. 16 ounces canned shucked oysters
- Continue to layer with another ⅓ of the crackers, and the remaining oysters.
- Top with the remaining cracker crumbs.
- Combine the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce, and pour this over the top. 1 cup heavy cream, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
- Top with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges. Chopped fresh parsley, Lemon wedges
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
