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    Home » Recipes

    Spaghetti with Clam Sauce - Simply Decilious

    by Patti Estep · Apr 1, 2022

    Jump to Recipe
    Bowl of spaghetti with clams and a fork twirling the pasta

    This easy spaghetti with clams is my "go-to" recipe when we want a meatless pasta dinner. It's a white clam sauce and can be made with linguini or other favorite noodles.

    A bowl of spaghetti with clam sauce.

    If I could, I'd probably eat this dish once a week. This is true for many pasta dishes but these days we are trying to cut back on the carbs and eat more healthy proteins. I think one of the problems is that pasta is so delicious you tend to easily over-eat and portion control goes out of the window.

    Still, this spaghetti with clam sauce is so easy and outside of having fresh parsley and lemon on hand during the winter, you probably have everything you need in the pantry to make this dish.

    The base of white clam sauce in a large skillet.

    Making Spaghetti with Clams

    It's also really quick. You get your water boiling and as the pasta cooks, you can quickly saute the garlic and clams in their own liquid, and add in a few other goodies, making the entire dish ready to eat in under 30 minutes.

    Grating lemon zest to a pan of clam sauce.

    I like to add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest near the end.

    Adding pasta water to the pan with clam sauce.

    Pasta water is also added to make a little extra sauce.

    A large pan of spaghetti with white clam sauce.

    The spaghetti is lifted straight from the pasta water (no need to drain in a colander) into the saute pan and allowed to cook with the sauce for a minute or two. Grated Parmesan cheese is the finishing touch.

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    Large skillet with spaghetti and clam sauce dressed with grated Parmesan cheese.

    This is basically my version of linguini with white clam sauce that you might find at a great Italian restaurant. Of course, you can make it with linguini, fettuccine, angel hair, or any long pasta noodle.

    Note: Don't forget to serve it with lots of extra grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.

    Bowl of spaghetti with white clam sauce and a fork twirling the pasta.

    It's so yummy, and if we aren't supporting our local fish fry we often have this on Fridays during Lent. After all, it is the weekend.

    Patti signature

    More Seafood Recipes

    • Shrimp and Tomato Pasta
    • Tuna Noodle Casserole
    • Seafood Stew
    A white bowl of spaghetti with clam sauce.

    Spaghetti with Clams

    This easy spaghetti with clam sauce is my "go-to" recipe when we want a meatless pasta dinner. It's a white clam sauce and can be made with linguini or other favorite noodles.
    4.58 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Additional Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 22 minutes mins
    Course Seafood
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 532 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 6.5 oz cans of chopped clams
    • 2 large garlic cloves minced
    • 2 tablespoons of olive oil or extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
    • 1 lemon juice and zest
    • 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
    • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
    • 1 pound of dry spaghetti

    Instructions
     

    • Start the water for the pasta.
    • Mince the garlic and chop the parsley.
    • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
    • Add the garlic and the clams including any liquid from the cans.
    • Simmer on low.
    • Boil the pasta in a large pot with salt.
    • A couple of minutes before the pasta is done (al dente) add the parsley and red pepper flakes.
    • Then add the juice and zest of one lemon.
    • Next, add the pasta directly into the pan with the clam sauce and stir well.
    • Then add a couple of ladles of the pasta water and simmer for another minute.
    • Remove from the stove and toss with Parmesan cheese.
    • Serve with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.

    Notes

    Add a tablespoon or 2 of butter at the end for extra silkiness and flavor.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 532kcalCarbohydrates: 89gProtein: 19gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 214mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4g

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lee

      June 12, 2024 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      ❤️ I forgot to add lemon zest n butter though. I still have some left. Will add tomorrow when I have more.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 13, 2024 at 6:57 am

        Sounds good Lee. Thanks for letting me know.

        Reply
    4.58 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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