Linguine with Red Clam Sauce
Littleneck clams are tossed with al dente pasta in a garlicky tomato and white wine sauce.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 pound linguine or spaghetti
- 3 dozen littleneck clams washed and scrubbed
- 3/8 cup extra virgin olive oil divided
- 3 anchovy fillets mashed
- 6 cloves garlic sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional, to taste
- 1/2 cup dry white wine sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, etc
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 1 28 ounce can plum tomatoes hand crushed or blender pulsed
- 1 cup clam juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup parsley minced
- 2 cups reserved pasta water will not need it all
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. In a large pan over medium-low heat saute the garlic and anchovies in a ¼ cup of olive oil. Once the garlic turns golden (about 2 minutes) add the crushed red pepper flakes.
- To the same pan add the clams and the white wine. Turn heat to medium-high and cover. Remove clams as they open and set aside in a bowl tented with foil to keep warm.
- After all the clams have opened (discard any that do not open after 7-10 minutes) turn heat to medium-low and add the tomato paste. Cook for 3 minutes then add the plum tomatoes and 1 cup of clam juice. Bring sauce to a low simmer.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta to very "al dente" in boiling water.
- Add the very al dente pasta to the sauce and turn heat to medium. Thoroughly coat the pasta with the sauce for 1-2 minutes. Taste test and adjust salt and pepper levels if required. If required add a bit of pasta water to loosen up the sauce.
- Finally, add the whole clams to the pasta and mix once more. Turn the heat off and serve in bowls dividing the clams equally. Top each bowl with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- The recipe makes 4 large servings or 6 moderate ones.
- No salt was added due to the inherent saltiness of the clams, anchovies, and the pasta water. Adjust according to taste right before serving.
- Any clams that remain unopened after about 7-10 minutes of steaming are most likely dead and should be discarded.
- The extra reserved pasta water can loosen up the sauce if it dries out while waiting for guests to be seated. Use only a few ounces at a time to get the right consistency.
- Linguine with red clam sauce does not store well and should be eaten right away.
Nutrition
Calories: 778kcal | Carbohydrates: 108.8g | Protein: 33.1g | Fat: 23.8g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 1447mg | Potassium: 1070mg | Fiber: 7.4g | Sugar: 16.8g | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 18mg