Description
This classic Linguine with White Clam Sauce recipe offers a deliciously light and flavorful pasta dish. Combining fresh clams with a garlic-infused olive oil sauce, white wine, clam juice, and a hint of lemon, it’s a perfect seafood pasta that is quick to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound dried fettuccine or linguine
Sauce
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (plus more for serving)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or stock (the richer, the better)
- 1/2 cup clam juice
- 6 (6.5-ounce) cans chopped clams, drained
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- Chopped parsley (to serve)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt and cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. Remove and drain the pasta a couple of minutes before your desired doneness, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Prepare the Garlic Oil: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes until the garlic is soft and just turning a very light golden color. Avoid browning the garlic. Add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and season with salt and black pepper.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the white wine to the skillet and simmer for 3 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce slightly. Stir in the chicken broth and clam juice, bring to a simmer, and let it reduce slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: When the pasta is just al dente, drain it and return it to the pot. Add the broth and clam juice mixture, the drained chopped clams, and the lemon juice. Toss everything together until the pasta is tender, the clams are heated through, and the sauce is slightly absorbed, about 2 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with additional red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and lemon zest. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- To enhance flavor, use a good quality chicken broth or homemade stock.
- Do not overcook the pasta in boiling water as it will finish cooking in the sauce and stay perfectly tender.
- Make sure not to brown the garlic to prevent bitterness.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Fresh parsley and lemon zest elevate the freshness of the dish just before serving.
