Linguine with White Clam Sauce

BY

February 13, 2026

Linguine with White Clam Sauce brings coastal flavor straight to your table. Tender pasta tosses with garlic, olive oil, white wine, and sweet clams for a simple yet satisfying dish. The sauce feels light but delivers bold, savory depth in every forkful.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in 30 minutes
  • Light yet full of flavor
  • Simple pantry ingredients
  • Perfect for weeknight dinners
  • Restaurant-quality at home

Preparation and Cooking Time

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 12 oz linguine
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 2 (6.5 oz) cans chopped clams, with juice
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute.
  3. Pour in white wine and simmer 2–3 minutes.
  4. Stir in clams with their juice and cook 3–4 minutes.
  5. Add drained linguine to the skillet. Toss well to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
  6. Stir in parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  7. Serve Linguine with White Clam Sauce immediately with optional Parmesan.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with crusty bread and a simple green salad. Pair with chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon. Garnish with extra parsley for a fresh finish.

Quick Tips or Variations

  • Use fresh clams for deeper flavor.
  • Add a splash of cream for a richer sauce.
  • Stir in cherry tomatoes for brightness.

FAQs

Can I use fresh clams instead of canned?

Yes. Steam fresh clams first, then add them with their cooking liquid to the sauce.

What wine works best?

Use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Serve immediately for best texture. Reheat gently with a splash of water if needed.

Is white clam sauce healthy?

It uses olive oil and lean protein, making it lighter than cream-based pasta sauces.

Conclusion

Linguine with White Clam Sauce combines tender pasta, garlicky broth, and briny clams into one timeless dish. This easy recipe proves simple ingredients can create bold flavor in just 30 minutes.

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Linguine with White Clam Sauce


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  • Author: Laura Jennings
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Linguine with White Clam Sauce with garlic, olive oil, white wine, and tender clams.


Ingredients

Scale

12 oz linguine

2 tbsp olive oil

4 garlic cloves

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 cup white wine

2 cans chopped clams with juice

1/4 cup parsley

1/2 lemon

Salt and pepper


Instructions

1. Cook linguine until al dente.

2. Sauté garlic in olive oil.

3. Add wine and simmer.

4. Stir in clams and juice.

5. Toss pasta with sauce.

6. Finish with parsley and lemon.

Notes

Serve immediately.

Add pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 65g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

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