Clams In Red Sauce

Clams in red sauce is such an easy recipe to make.  They can be made by themselves or tossed in with some pasta.  This is one of my favorite Italian dishes, and I hope you will add it to your list as well.  So let’s get on to making this awesome seafood dish.

Dreaming about Italian red clam sauce

I really do dream about the deliciousness of good clams.  There are so many ways to make them. 

If you want a full pasta dish be sure to check out our linguine with red clam sauce recipe.

Or maybe you prefer baked clams oreganata, clams casino, or linguine with white clam sauce.   Clams are so versatile and can really impress your guests.

Think about it, how many times have people made good clams for you?  Not many, right?

I’m not sure what it is but lots of people seem to be intimated by making seafood other than salmon or shrimp.   

Now, there’s nothing wrong with those, and they are staples in my house, but sometimes it’s nice to jump outside one’s comfort zone.

And the best thing though is that jumping out has never been easier.

Clams In Red Sauce Ingredients:

So what do we need to make these awesome clams in red sauce?

Obviously, clams are needed.  I usually use Littlenecks.  But like I mentioned in my other clam recipes, use what is good and fresh. 

Cockles and mussels would work well if you can’t get Littlenecks.  

Most clams you can buy from Costco or other big sellers, such as Whole Foods, have purged clams.  If you want to go the extra mile and purge them, go for it.  

Tomatoes are also needed for the sauce. 

What type?  I like to make my quick sauces out of canned whole plum tomatoes and 1 can of tomato paste.  It’s a combo that has never failed me.

Garlic is also needed and is a key flavor component in this dish.  Some basil, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes complete the list.

Red Clam Sauce Process:

Just 2 simple steps to make this dish.

Step 1:

The first step is to make the sauce and keep it warm.  Slice up 10 cloves of garlic and sauté in a sauce pan with olive oil for a few minutes on medium heat.  Sautéeing the garlic really brings out its flavor.

Open your can of tomatoes and crush them – if you prefer a chunkier sauce, crush with your hands. 

If you want a smoother sauce, you can blend them by using the pulse feature on your blender.

After the garlic is light golden in color, add the crushed-up tomatoes, paste, and 4 oz of water and make the sauce. 

Add salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes and stir it all together.

15 minutes later and the sauce is done.  Set it on another burner on low heat to keep it warm.

Step 2:

The clams should be washed and then steamed with 4 ounces of water. 

To steam them, place the clams and water in a lidded wide pan.  Keep the heat at medium and let them cook until they open.

Clams open at their own pace, some will open in 2 minutes, some might take 8 minutes. 

I usually stop the cooking at 10 minutes and discard the unopened ones.  Those are usually dead and will not open.

The best thing to do is remove the clams in batches as they open, ensuring that you do not overcook them.  When they are all done set the clams aside.

In that same pan, add half the sauce and turn heat to medium-low. 

Cook the sauce for 1 minute to heat it up, then add the clams and mix it all together.  Add the basil, stir it up and bring to the table to eat immediately.

I love to serve the clams in red sauce with crusty Italian bread and some more olive oil to drizzle all over everyone’s plated clams.

Don’t forget the remaining sauce can be used to make the clams even saucier, or used on the side for more bread dipping.  Enjoy!

More great seafood recipes

In the mood for seafood?  Creating your menu for The Feast of the Seven Fishes?  We’ve got you covered.  Here are a few of our tried and true favorites, from our family to yours.  Mangia!

• Classic shrimp scampi – Garlic, lemon, butter, and parsley sauce with tender shrimp.
• Shrimp oreganata – Baked shrimp with seasoned toasted breadcrumbs.
• Fried calamari – Tender calamari rings are lightly dusted with flour and corn starch and deep-fried until golden.
• Mussels marinara – Easy appetizer of mussels in garlicky tomato sauce.
• Shrimp fra diavolo – Another New York classic.  Shrimp and linguine are tossed in a spicy marinara sauce with a touch of brandy.
• Pan-seared swordfish – Sicilian style with olives, capers, garlic, and tomatoes.