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Spicy Clam Pasta Recipe: Quick, Easy, and Flavorful

Spicy Clam Pasta

Tender pasta is tossed in a quick garlic, white wine, clam juice, butter, and red pepper sauce with plenty of chopped clams and fresh parsley. This easy seafood dinner serves four and comes together in about 30 to 40 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces Linguine or spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced or minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup Dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup Bottled clam juice
  • 2 6.5-ounce cans Chopped or minced canned clams, liquid reserved
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
Seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon, plus more for pasta water Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
Optional Garnish
  • As desired Grated Parmesan

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine or spaghetti until just shy of al dente according to the package directions, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, and drain.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, then cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant without allowing the garlic to brown.
  3. Pour in the white wine and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so it reduces slightly and its sharp alcohol aroma softens.
  4. Stir in the bottled clam juice and the reserved liquid from both cans of clams. Simmer the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Add the canned clams and warm them gently for 1 to 2 minutes. Avoid prolonged boiling because it can make the clams tough.
  6. Add the drained pasta, butter, black pepper, and lemon juice if using. Toss vigorously while adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until the sauce is glossy and lightly coats the noodles.
  7. Stir in the parsley, taste, and adjust the salt and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately with optional grated Parmesan.

Notes

Use 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes for moderate heat or up to 1 teaspoon for a hotter sauce. Reserve pasta water because its starch helps the sauce cling to the noodles. Add the clams near the end and warm them briefly to protect their texture. For an alcohol-free version, replace the wine with additional clam juice plus 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.