Description
A classic Italian seafood pasta dish featuring tender clams cooked in a garlic, chili, and white wine sauce, tossed with al dente spaghetti and fresh parsley. Perfect for a quick and elegant meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 300 g (10.5 oz) dried spaghetti
Sauce & Clams
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (red pepper flakes)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) fresh small clams in shells
- 90 ml (1/3 cup) dry white wine
- 1 fish stock pot or crumbled stock cube (can substitute chicken or vegetable stock)
Garnish
- 4 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 lemon, sliced into small wedges
- Additional black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil salted water and cook the spaghetti for 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Heat Olive Oil and Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or saucepan with a lid.
- Sauté Garlic and Spices: Add the minced garlic, chili flakes, and black pepper to the heated oil. Stir and cook for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Clams: Add the clams, dry white wine, and the fish stock pot or cube to the pan. Cover with the lid and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the clam shells open completely.
- Discard Unopened Clams: Remove the lid and discard any clams that have not opened after cooking.
- Combine Pasta and Clams: Add the cooked spaghetti into the clam mixture along with several splashes of the reserved pasta cooking water.
- Add Parsley and Toss: Sprinkle the finely chopped fresh parsley over the pasta and toss everything together using tongs. Add more pasta water if you prefer a looser sauce.
- Serve: Divide the spaghetti vongole among serving bowls. Garnish with lemon wedges and an extra sprinkle of black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh clams and discard any that do not open after cooking to avoid food safety issues.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Dry white wine enhances the depth of flavor but can be omitted or substituted with clam juice if preferred.
- Adjust chili flakes quantity according to heat preference.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately for optimal freshness and flavor.
