Spaghetti with clams

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PRESENTATION

Spaghetti with clams

Rolling out a plate of spaghetti with clams instantly says family dinner with great flavor, Italian style. When the bowls arrive at the table, you get a pretty plate full of spaghetti nestled in silky, flavorful clam sauce—each strand shining and dotted with meaty clams that look inviting and taste absolutely DELICIOUS. Gathering around for a meal like this is what makes weeknight family time feel a little bit special. The tender pasta feels just right (not mushy, not too chewy), while that simple broth brings every bite together…a balance of sea breeze aromas, subtle clam taste, and a touch of briny goodness. Easy-going enough for picky eaters, yet satisfying for grown-ups who love classic Italian recipes, this crowd-pleaser always draws smiles at the dinner table. Families who enjoy seafood pasta or classic linguine alle vongole usually notice how this dish really feels like it comes straight from a cozy Italian kitchen—without needing anything fancy, just pure comfort from the sea and pantry staples you probably have on hand.

Busy parents appreciate how spaghetti with clams fits right into packed schedules—weekday meals or relaxed weekends, it's simple to enjoy. Versatility helps here: pair it with a light salad, maybe add some crusty bread for anyone craving more, or dress it up for a casual gathering with friends. Kids and adults both notice the nice balance: a little bit of fresh, briny seafood taste, a little bit of garlic, nothing too heavy. With canned clams or fresh, it’s easy to stay eco-friendly (and support seafood sustainability) while still enjoying plenty of real taste. Works great when you want something that feels fresh and a bit fancy but doesn’t break the bank or leave you stressed—definitely a dinner that turns regular nights into something a little extra special. Whether it’s for a quick lunch, big family meal, or dinner for two, spaghetti with clams brings an easy touch of Italy home—always satisfying, always a great way to get a good meal on the table.

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INGREDIENTS
Spaghetti 0.7 lb (320 g)
Clams 2.2 lbs (1 kg)
Garlic 1 clove
Parsley 1 small bunch
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Black pepper to taste
Fine salt to taste
Coarse salt to taste - for the clams
Preparation

How to prepare Spaghetti with clams

To make spaghetti with clams, start by cleaning the clams. Make sure there are no broken or empty shells which have to be discarded. Then beat them against the sink or on a cutting board 1. This step is important to check that there is no sand inside: healthy clams will remain closed, while those full of sand will open. Then place them in a colander over a bowl and rinse them 2. Place the colander in a bowl and add plenty of coarse salt. Let the clams soak for 2-3 hours 3.

Once the time has passed, the clams will have purged any residual sand. Heat some oil in a pan 4. Then add a clove of garlic and, as the oil takes on flavor, drain the clams well, rinse them, and plunge them in the hot pan 5. Cover with a lid and let them cook for a few minutes over high heat 6.

The clams will open with heat, so shake the pan from time to time until they are completely open 7. As soon as they are all open, turn off the heat immediately, otherwise the clams will cook too much. Collect the juice by draining the clams, and do not forget to discard the garlic 8. In the meantime, cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling salted water and drain halfway through the total cooking time of the spaghetti 9.

Then pour the sauce into a pan 10, add the spaghetti, and continue cooking using some cooking water. Your pasta will finish cooking in the pan. When cooked, add the clams and chopped parsley 11. Heat everything on high for a few seconds and the spaghetti with clams is ready: serve immediately 12!

Storage

We suggest eating spaghetti with clams right away, but if you wish you can keep it in the fridge for a day at most, closed in an airtight container. If you do not eat the clams immediately, you can store them in the refrigerator in a large bowl full of cold water or wrapped in a damp cloth.

 

Tips

Use very high quality clams to enjoy their excellent flavor and freshness! If you want a little color, add some tomatoes to the clams. Instead of black pepper you can try frying fresh chili peppers over low heat. Finally, we recommend you also try spaghetti n.5 or spaghettoni instead of spaghetti n.3!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.