Weeknight Pasta with Clam Sauce
Packed with vibrant, briny flavors and a dash of elegance, this Weeknight Pasta with Clam Sauce is the perfect quick yet satisfying meal for busy evenings. Featuring tender spaghetti tossed in a luscious garlic-infused clam sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes and a splash of dry white wine, this dish is as comforting as it is gourmet. Finished with fresh parsley and a bright touch of lemon zest, it strikes the perfect balance between fresh and indulgent. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is a weeknight hero that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Serve it with a side of crusty bread and a sprinkle of Parmesan for an Italian-inspired dinner the whole family will love!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 10-ounce cans canned chopped clams (with juice)
- 0.5 cups dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- to serve grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Add the canned clams with their juice and the white wine to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes to slightly reduce the liquid and concentrate the flavors.
Stir in the lemon zest and parsley, and season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta in the clam sauce. If the mixture looks dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it up.
Cook for another 1-2 minutes, tossing frequently, until the pasta is well-coated and heated through.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1301 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 71.6 g | 92% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.4 g | 112% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 79 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 362 mg | 16% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 116.8 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.9 g | 28% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.7 g | ||
| Protein | 28.7 g | 57% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 174 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 9.2 mg | 51% | |
| Potassium | 490 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
