Name: Pasta with Clam Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound spaghetti or linguini; 4 (6.5 ounce) cans chopped clams with juice; 2 small onions, diced; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; 1/4 cup chicken broth; zest of 1 lemon; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper; 1/4 cup diced tomatoes; 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese; fresh parsley for garnish

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Pasta with Clam Sauce is a simple recipe that comes together in about 20 minutes. It’s easy enough for any night of the week and delicious enough to serve for holiday dinners or entertaining guests. A white clam sauce with plenty of garlic flavor, served over spaghetti or linguini.

If a hearty pasta dinner is right up your alley, you are sure to love this Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo and Cheesy Beef Rigatoni served up with crusty garlic bread.

Table of Contents

Pasta with Clam Sauce ~ Easy White Clam Sauce

This recipe is an Italian classic made with a few pantry staples and can be on the dinner table in under 30 minutes. A great option for busy weeknights that you will make again and again.

Ingredients Needed:

Pasta: Spaghetti or Linguini
Chopped Clams with Juice
Olive Oil
Onion
Garlic
Chicken Broth
Heavy Cream
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
Tomatoes
Parmesan Cheese
Lemon Zest
Fresh Parsley

How to Make Pasta with Clam Sauce:

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Drain clams, reserving the juice.

Meanwhile, dice onions and garlic.

Add olive oil to a large skillet and place over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook stirring often until onions are caramelized.
Add half of the clam juice, cooking until reduced by half.

Stir in cream, broth, salt, pepper and diced tomatoes, cook 2 minutes.
Add clams, parmesan cheese and lemon zest, stirring to combine. Additional clam juice can be added 1/4 cup at a time if sauce needs thinned. Continue cooking about 2-3 minutes.

Garnish with parsley.

Serve over pasta with additional parmesan cheese if desired.

Recipe Notes and Variations:

Yield: 4 Servings
Storage: Store leftover clam sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Pasta can be stored separately in a zip top bag for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Add to a saucepan or skillet with additional chicken broth, cooking over low heat just until heated through. Serve over warmed pasta.
Clams: We used Delallo brand canned clams, frozen clams can also be used along with jarred clam juice if desired.
Variations: Add additional lemon zest or juice for more lemon flavor. White wine is often added to the sauce, but is optional.

What to Serve with Pasta and Clam Sauce:

More Italian Dinner Recipes You’ll Love:

If you are looking for a simple Italian classic to try for dinner, this Pasta with Clam Sauce is sure to be a favorite. With just a few ingredients, it can be on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes.

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Yield: 4 servings

Pasta with Clam Sauce

Pasta with Clam Sauce is a simple recipe that comes together in about 20 minutes. It's easy enough for any night of the week and delicious enough to serve for holiday dinners or entertaining guests. A white clam sauce with plenty of garlic flavor, served over spaghetti or linguini.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti or linguini
4 (6.5 ounce) cans chopped clams with juice
2 small onions, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Drain clams, reserving the juice.
Meanwhile, dice onions and garlic.
Add olive oil to a large skillet and place over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook stirring often until onions are caramelized.
Add half of the clam juice, cooking until reduced by half.
Stir in cream, chicken broth salt, pepper and diced tomatoes, cook 2 minutes.
Add clams, parmesan cheese and lemon zest, stirring to combine. Additional clam juice can be added 1/4 cup at a time if sauce needs thinned. Continue cooking about 2-3 minutes.
Garnish with parsley.
Serve over pasta with additional parmesan cheese if desired.