Cheesy Boston Clam Dip: An Academy Awards-Inspired Recipe
Every party needs a cream cheese-based dip. Especially one that is loaded with cheese, clams, and served warm. 
Looking for an excuse to throw an Oscars party? I’ve got 8 excuses for you.
I am super excited to be teaming up with some of my blogger friends to create eight party-ready recipes that are perfect for an Oscars party. One for every Best Picture nominee.
About My Movie: Spotlight
Spotlight is about the Boston Globe’s investigation of child abuse in the Catholic church – and the subsequent coverup by the church. The investigative journalist team is called “Spotlight”. Here’s the movie trailer:
About The Recipe: Cheesy Boston Clam Dip
Spotlight certainly isn’t a movie about food. But it takes place in one of America’s great food cities: Boston.
When I was trying to come up for an appropriate recipe, I went through a mental list of possible food items: Boston cream pie, Boston baked beans, Boston clam chowder… and finally settled on a recipe that every party needs: A cream cheese dip. With a Boston spin.
This cheesy clam dip takes just a few minutes to mix up. It’s a very affordable appetizer, as I opted to use canned clams. But you could certainly substitute fresh clams if you happen to live in Boston (jealous!) or have access to fresh clams.
The crunchy, buttery topping makes the dip, in my opinion. Don’t skip it!
Now you have an excuse to throw an Academy Awards party on February 28! You can spend all day making these 8 recipes – or divide them up among your friends, which is the saner, more affordable option. Enjoy!
More Party-Ready Cream Cheese Dip Recipes
Tropical Cheese Ball With Homemade Pear Chips
Check Out Other Years’ Movies
2018: 10-minute mushroom toasts, inspired by Phantom Thread
2017: Spicy buttermilk fried chicken and waffle bites, inspired by Fences
2015: The $10 Mezze Platter inspired by American Sniper.
Keep in touch via Instagram! Follow Cheap Recipe Blog.
Check Out 7 Other Best Picture-Inspired Recipes
- The Big Short: Jenga Veggie Towers with Creamy Cilantro Dip from Flour Arrangements
- Bridge of Spies: Bitesize “TV Dinner” Meatloaf Appetizers from Pickles Travel
- Brooklyn: Chocolate Stout Cannoli from Femme Fraiche
- Mad Max: Fury Road: Ruby Red Grapefruitcello from Making It With Stephany
- The Martian: Homemade Cheddar and Chive Tater Tots from The Honour System
- The Revenant: Crock Pot Ribs from Dining With Alice
- Room: Victoria Sandwich Cake from Savoury Table
Cheesy Boston Clam Dip
Want an extra clammy dip? Use two 6.5-ounce cans of clams instead of one. A can of clams costs right around $2.00.
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
- 1 can minced clams (6.5 ounces)
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 Ritz crackers
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Drain clams and reserve liquid.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, clams, 1 tablespoon clam juice, Parmesan cheese, red pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay Seasoning, and garlic powder. Place mixture in a small ovenproof bowl or glass baking dish.
- Crumble Ritz crackers and mix with melted butter. Place on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until cream cheese mixture is bubbly and crackers are golden brown. Serve hot with crackers and vegetables.
Thank you for putting this together again this year. I am such a movie lover that this gives me the perfect excuse to head to the theater. I haven’t seen Spotlight, but it is on my list. Love your dip! Can’t wait to give it a try.
Thanks Karen! If it weren’t for great Oscars movies, I’d have a hard time getting through February in MN, lol.
Great idea Haley! I love good dip for parties. It’s nice to have something you can pair up with veggies, chips, crackers, etc. Adds lots of options. Thanks for organizing this again! Already looking forward to next year. 🙂
This is so awesome! You are so awesome- thank you again and again for putting this together and making it happen! and I LOVE your lead in for “excuse to throw an Oscar’s party…” This looks delicious and I guarantee I’ll be making it for something in the near future- probably just for me because it looks fabulous ;c)
Looks delish! Nothing beats a good dip for a party. use veggies, crackers, chips, etc. Adds lots of options. Thanks again for organizing this year! Looking forward to next awards season already. 😉
Love that it is a Boston-inspired recipe. This dip looks great, my mom loves clams so we will have to try this recipe soon!
You say “cream cheese dip” and I’m SO IN! Add a RItz cracker topping and I’m inviting myself over! This looks delicious, Haley! Thanks again for organizing us. This is always so much fun!
Love this simple but unique dip recipe! And you totally inspired me top my mac and cheese with Ritz crackers today rather than Panko! Fabulous. Can’t wait to try crushed crackers on your dip. Thanks for organizing this great event! Super fun way to come up with unexpected recipes!
Yum, looks pretty tasty! I love any type of seafood dip…this is on the must make list!