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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Spaghetti alle Vongole (Pasta with Clams)

    Published: Nov 18, 2021 · Modified: Nov 28, 2021 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    If you like shellfish and haven’t tried Spaghetti alle Vongole yet, you are really missing something.  Also known as Pasta with Clams, it’s a deliciously light pasta dish that will surely become a favorite in your household —- and it’s ready in less than 30 minutes!

    An overhead shot of a serving of spaghetti alle vongole, with a glass of wine, and fresh chili next to it.

    (*This post contains some affiliate links)

    Napoli.  I will always associate spaghetti alle vongole with Napoli.

    Not only because it originated from that city, but they prepare it so well.  

    A dish straight out of the sea, that’s the best way to describe spaghetti with clams.  

    And then, as you continue eating it, you get this subtle sweetness, a hint of heat from the chili, and freshness from the herb.

    You just have to try it and judge for yourself!

    IF YOU WANT MORE CLASSIC ITALIAN DISHES, THEN YOU WILL LIKE THESE POSTS!

    • Traditional Pasta alla Norma (Sicilian Eggplant Pasta)
    • Bucatini all’Amatriciana (Pasta with Guanciale and Tomatoes)

    Ingredients

    All the ingredients you need to make a traditional spaghetti alle vongole bianco at home.
    • Pasta – as you can see in the image above, I used spaghetti for this pasta alle vongole recipe.
    • Olive oil – I strongly suggest using extra virgin olive oil.
    • Garlic – sliced thinly.
    • Chili – the long, red type of chili; chopped thinly.
    • White wine – any dry white wine will be great for making pasta with clams.
    • Vongole – cleaned, and make sure you remove the ones with broken shells.
    • Salt – for preparing the pasta.
    • Parsley – flat-leaf parsley (also known as Italian parsley).

    If you want to stay traditional, chop the parsley finely instead of how I’ve done it here.  Chopping it roughly is a personal preference. 🙂

    An overhead shot of a pan of pasta with clams, straight out of the stove and ready for serving.

    Preparation

    Start preparing your pasta alle vongole by bringing a pot of salted water to boil.

    Cook the pasta as instructed in the package.

    While waiting for the pasta to cook, heat olive oil on a medium or large pan over medium heat.

    Once the oil is ready, add garlic and chopped chili (photo 1).

    First part of a collage of images showing the process of preparing pasta with clams.

    Once the garlic becomes fragrant, add the vongole (photo 2).

    Pour the white wine over the vongole (photo 3).

    Let the wine evaporate for a couple of minutes.

    Second part of a collage of images showing the step by step process of making spaghetti alle vongole.

    Cover pan with a lid for about two minutes.

    Remove the lid and wait for the clams to open while mixing now and then (photo 4).

    The pasta should already be cooked by now, so add them directly into the pan (photo 5).

    Last part of a collage of images showing the process of making spaghetti alle vongole at home.

    Add the fresh parsley (photo 6).

    Mix to combine everything evenly.

    Transfer your spaghetti alle vongole into plates and garnish with more parsley, if desired.

    Serve.

    Recipe variation

    Alternative ingredients that you can use when preparing pasta with clams at home.
    • Tomatoes.  Pasta alle vongole in rosso is another variation of this dish.  

    The main difference?  You guessed it, rosso contains tomatoes and sometimes fresh basil as well.

    Make sure to give it a try if you are a fan of tomatoes!

    • Peperoncino.  Also known as dried chili flakes, it is a great substitute for fresh chili.
    • Linguine. This flatter cousin of spaghetti is an excellent alternative for making this dish. 

    If you do a quick search, you will find that pasta with clams is generally only prepared with two types of pasta — spaghetti or linguine.

    A closer shot of a plate of spaghetti alle vongole, highlighting the pasta and the bits of chili and parsley in the dish.

    Helpful tips

    • Make sure you clean the clams properly before adding them to the pan.  Chewing on sand is a sure way of ruining the dish.
    • If you put a lot of salt in your pasta water, add less than what you generally use when preparing your preferred pasta for this dish.
    • Taste the clam sauce before adding any salt. You might decide that it’s already perfectly seasoned for your taste.

    Both tips will ensure that your pasta alle vongole will not turn out to be too salty.  

    For reference, I always use less salt in the pasta water, and I never add any salt to the vongole.

    • If you are not a fan of chili, use less or remove the seeds before adding them to the dish.

    But do not skip it.  It complements the saltiness of the clams and the freshness of the parsley.

    See how easy it is?  So, try this spaghetti alle vongole recipe tomorrow night — you will not regret it! 🙂

    Text for Roundup Sections
    • Classic Italian Appetizers (Antipasti)
    • Authentic Italian Bread Recipes
    An overhead shot of a serving of spaghetti alle vongole, with a glass of wine, and fresh chili next to it.

    Spaghetti alle Vongole Recipe (Spaghetti with Clams)

    If you like shellfish and haven't tried Pasta alle Vongole yet, you are really missing something.  Also known as Pasta with Clams, it's a deliciously light pasta dish that will surely become a favorite in your household —- and it's ready in less than 30 minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 646kcal
    Author: Neriz

    Equipment

    • Digital weighing scale
    • Pyrex Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Deep Saute Pan
    • Rubber Spatula

    Ingredients

    • 3 tbsp olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
    • 20 ounces vongole (about 560 grams), cleaned and checked for broken shells
    • 7 ounces pasta (about 200 grams)
    • 1/2 cup white wine
    • 1 tsp chili pepper, chopped thinly
    • handful parsley, chopped roughly
    • salt, for pasta water

    Instructions

    • Bring a pot of salted water to boil, and cook the pasta as instructed in the package.
    • While waiting for the pasta to cook, place a medium or large pan over medium heat.
    • Heat olive oil, then add garlic and chili.
    • Once the garlic becomes fragrant, add the clams.
    • Pour the white wine over clams.
    • Let the wine evaporate for a couple of minutes.
    • Cover pan with a lid for about 2 minutes.
    • Remove the cover and wait for the vongole to open while mixing now and then.
    • The pasta should already be cooked by now, so add them directly into the pan.
    • Add the fresh parsley and mix to combine evenly.
    • Transfer into serving plates, and garnish with more parsley, if preferred.
    • Enjoy your spaghetti alle vongole!

    Notes

    • Cook’s Tip #1:  Make sure you clean the clams properly before adding them to the pan.  Chewing on sand will undoubtedly ruin your pasta alle vongole.
    • Cook’s Tip #2:  If you put a lot of salt in your pasta water, add less than what you generally use when preparing your preferred pasta for this dish.
    • Cook’s Tip #3:  Taste the clam sauce before adding any salt; you might decide that it’s already perfectly seasoned for your taste.
    • Cook’s Tip #4:  If you are not a fan of chili, use less or remove the seeds before adding them to the dish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 646kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 128IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @foodandjourneys or tag #foodandjourneys!

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