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Home » Recipes

5 Star Italian Linguine Alle Vongole (Linguine With Clam Sauce)

Feb 7, 2019Last Modified: September 24, 2022

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about an easy recipe for Linguine With Clam Sauce!

Linguine with clam sauce garnished with Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese in a white bowl with a fork resting on the side.
Jump to:
  • So Many Reasons To Love This Linguine Alle Vongole Recipe!
  • Ingredients You Will Need For This Linguine With Clams Recipe
  • Easy Instructions
  • How To Serve Linguine Alle Vongole
  • How To Obtain A Silky Smooth Pasta Sauce
  • FAQ
  • Some Other Pasta Recipes That You May Enjoy!
  • Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!
  • 5 Star Linguine Alle Vongole (Linguine With Clam Sauce)

So Many Reasons To Love This Linguine Alle Vongole Recipe!

Here in the US we generally call this dish Linguine With Clam Sauce. However, I think Linguine Alle Vongole sounds so much better.

How can such a simple preparation with a few simple ingredients turn out such an amazing dish? I keep asking myself that every time I make Linguine With Clam Sauce for dinner. This pasta dish, which is said to originate from the southern coastline of Italy (Campania), is one of my go to dinners for several reasons: it is delicious, budget friendly, quick and easy, and as a runner I can easily load up on my carbs!

Linguine with clam sauce garnished with Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese in a white bowl.
One of my favorite dishes to eat the night before I run!

Ingredients You Will Need For This Linguine With Clams Recipe

Bottle of olive oil, cans of chopped clams, salt and pepper shakers, butter on a white dish, package of linguine, Italian parsley, thai chilies, garlic, and a block of Parmesan cheese

Pasta alle vongole, or pasta with clams, is traditionally made with fresh clams. My recipe uses canned clams, which are very delicious and so easy to use!

You only need a few ingredients to make this mouthwatering dish:

  • Linguine (can sub spaghetti)
  • Canned chopped clams (I used Snow's)
  • Fresh garlic
  • Thai chilies (can sub red chili flakes or leave out for a mild dish)
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh parsley
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Reserved pasta water

Because I love my food a bit on the spicy side, I add a couple (well, maybe 3) red or green Thai chilis to this dish. The chilies give it quite a kick, and also the reds add a beautiful color as well. If you like things spicy but don't have any Thai chilies available, you could also add some red pepper flakes.

I love to use Italian parsley, but feel free to add curly parsley if you prefer.

Ok, once you've gathered your ingredients, get ready to enjoy preparing a delicious and easy dinner!

Easy Instructions

It really couldn't be easier to make this wonderful pasta dish!

Begin by heating up the water for the pasta, and then cook according to the package directions.

While the water is heating up for your pasta, set a large skillet to medium heat and add butter and olive oil. Heat oil and melt butter, then add garlic and chilies (if using). Stir and continue heating for about 3 minutes.

Combine EVOO and butter and melt the butter
Add minced garlic and chilies (if using)

Add the cans of clams with all their juices, ¼ ts salt, and ¼ ts pepper.  Bring to the boil on medium-high heat, then reduce to a low simmer until your pasta is ready.

Just before draining your pasta at the end of the pasta cooking time, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Then drain your pasta, and add the hot pasta to the clam sauce.  Stir well, and add additional salt and pepper to taste. Add a bit of reserved pasta water if the pasta is too dry for your liking (you may not need this step). This will loosen up the pasta and make it silky smooth. Add little by little until you are happy. If the pasta is too saucy, cover the skillet, remove from the heat and let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow to thicken a bit.

Linguine in the background in a pot with a red measuring cup in the foreground that contains pasta water.
Be sure to reserve a cup of the starchy pasta water just prior to draining your pasta.

Your delicious pasta is now ready to enjoy!

How To Serve Linguine Alle Vongole

Serve up mounds of the linguine with clam sauce on your serving dishes, and garnish with parsley and plenty of Parmesan cheese!

The perfect accompaniments to this dish are a lovely salad and some crusty bread.

I truly believe that once you try this dish, you'll want it to end up back on your plate again soon! It's the perfect meal for busy nights and definitely a crowd pleaser!

Delicious Clam Sauce simmering on the stove

Treat yourself to this taste of Southern Italy tonight!

Linguine with clam sauce garnished with Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese in a white bowl with a fork resting on the side.

How To Obtain A Silky Smooth Pasta Sauce

By the way? Do you want the secret to silky smooth pasta sauce? Watch this really bad video. 😅

FAQ

Do you put cheese on linguine with clam sauce?

It seems Americans are more apt to add cheese to this dish than the Italians. I absolutely love adding freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano to this dish, but the choice is yours!

How do I store any leftover pasta?

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container and place in your refrigerator. This is best consumed within a couple of days.

Some Other Pasta Recipes That You May Enjoy!

You may also enjoy these other pasta recipes:

  • Linguine With Delicious Parsley Pesto
  • Linguine With Pancetta and Peas
  • Puglian Orecchiette With Broccoli
  • Easy and Delicious Linguine With Red Clam Sauce

Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!

I invite you to come along on this food journey with me! Please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here.

Thanks for visiting and I would be grateful if you would share this recipe or comment below!

Cheers!

Grace

Linguine with clam sauce garnished with Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese in a white bowl with a fork resting on the side.

5 Star Linguine Alle Vongole (Linguine With Clam Sauce)

Easy to prepare, budget friendly, and absolutely delicious!  This dish originates from the southern Italian coast.  Enjoy this taste of Campania tonight for dinner!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 495 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz linguine can sub spaghetti
  • 3 6.5 oz cans chopped clams in their juices I used Snow's chopped clams
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 Thai chilies minced; can sub red chili flakes or leave these out for a milder dish
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • handful parsley chopped
  • ¼ ts salt plus additional salt to taste
  • ¼ ts pepper plus additional pepper to taste
  • parmesan cheese freshly grated as an optional garnish
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water collected just prior to pasta finishing cooking; you may or may not need to use all of this, depending on how much liquid you will have from the amount of cans of clams you are using

Instructions
 

  • Heat up water for pasta and cook according to package directions.
  • While the water is heating up for your pasta, set your skillet to medium and add butter and olive oil.  Once the butter is melted, add garlic and chilies, stir, and continue heating for about 3 minutes.
    Minced garlic and minced chilies in a butter and olive oil sauce in a cast iron pan.
  • Add clams with all their juices, ¼ ts salt, and ¼ ts pepper.  Bring to the boil, then reduce to a low simmer until your pasta is ready.
    Clams and clam juices in a skillet with butter, garlic, and seasonings.
  • Just before draining your pasta at the end of the pasta cooking time, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Then drain your pasta, and add to the clam sauce.  Stir well, and add additional salt and pepper to taste. Add a bit of reserved pasta water if the pasta is too dry for your liking (you may not need this step). This will loosen up the pasta and make it silky smooth. Add little by little until you are happy. If the pasta is too saucy, cover the skillet, remove from the heat and let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow to thicken a bit.
    Linguine in the background in a pot with a red measuring cup in the foreground that contains pasta water.
  • Serve up mounds of the linguine with clam sauce on your serving dishes, and garnish with parsley and plenty of parmesan cheese!
    Linguine with clam sauce garnished with Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese in a white bowl with a fork resting on the side.

Notes

Top this linguine with clam sauce with a generous amount of parmesan, if desired.   Try a wine from the Campania region of Italy with this dish, such as Taurasi (red),  or Fiano di Avellino (white) with this dish and enjoy a taste of Southern Italy!

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcalCarbohydrates: 87gProtein: 15gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 161mgPotassium: 287mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 42IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg
Keyword italian food, linguine alle vongole, linguine with clam sauce, white clam sauce
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jason McCaig

    July 27, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    5 stars
    You guys just made me look like a star. Thank you for putting up such a quality top notch extraordinary recipe. I cannot thank you enough.

    Reply
    • Grace

      July 28, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Hey Jason! Wow...you made my day! I can't tell you how happy I am that you enjoyed this recipe and thank you so much for taking the time to comment I am truly grateful! All the best take good care! Grace

      Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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