Pasta · Campania
Spaghetti alle Vongole Recipe
This spaghetti alle vongole recipe coats pasta in briny clam liquor, garlic, olive oil, white wine, and parsley for a silky seafood supper at home.
By Lucia Moretti (pen name) · · Editorial policy
Spaghetti alle vongole is a Campanian pasta dish of tender clams, garlic, olive oil, and pasta tossed in a light seafood sauce. Along the coast near Naples, it is often served bianco (white), without tomato, so the clams stay at the center of the plate.
I build the sauce in the pan where the clams open. Their juices mingle with wine and olive oil, then a splash of pasta water helps everything cling to the spaghetti. The key is to pull each clam from the pan as soon as it opens; that keeps the meat tender while the pasta finishes cooking in the sauce. Scrub the shells well, and lift the clams out of any grit left in their soaking water rather than pouring that water into the pan.
For another Italian dinner, try Pasta alla Norma Recipe, or plan a cozy meal with Tortellini in Brodo Recipe. This version works because the pasta finishes in the clam liquor, picking up flavor without making the sauce heavy.
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The recipe
Spaghetti alle Vongole
Ingredients
for 4 servingsEquipment
- Large pot
- Wide, deep skillet with lid
- Tongs
- Colander
- Measuring cups and spoons
Method
Purge the clams if needed: dissolve the soaking salt in the cold water, add the clams, and let them sit for 20 minutes. Lift the clams out so any grit stays behind, then scrub and rinse them under cold running water. Skip the soak if the seller confirms they are already purged.
Bring 4 quarts (3.8 L) of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the pasta salt and spaghetti, then cook until just shy of al dente, usually 2 minutes less than the package time. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining.
Warm the olive oil in a wide, deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the garlic is fragrant and pale gold, about 1 to 2 minutes. Do not let it turn dark brown.
Pour in the white wine and bring it to a lively simmer for 2 minutes, scraping any garlic from the pan. Add the clams and cover the skillet.
Steam the clams for 4 to 7 minutes, checking often. As each shell opens, transfer that clam to a bowl with tongs; discard any that stay closed after the others have opened. The clam meat should look opaque.
Add the drained spaghetti and ½ cup (120 ml) of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, adding more pasta water a splash at a time, until the strands are glossy and the sauce lightly coats them.
Return the opened clams to the skillet and toss in the parsley. Warm for about 30 seconds, then serve at once with the clams arranged over the spaghetti.
Food safety
Clams are shellfish and can cause severe allergic reactions. Keep them refrigerated until cooking, discard cracked clams and any that remain closed after cooking, and cook seafood to 145°F (63°C); check the clam meat with a food thermometer when practical.
Where it goes wrong
| If you see | It’s because | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| The sauce tastes gritty. | Why The clams were not cleaned or purged well, or their soaking water was poured into the pan. | Fix Scrub the shells, lift the clams out of soaking water, and leave any grit settled at the bottom behind. |
| The garlic tastes bitter. | Why It browned too much in the hot oil. | Fix Cook it over medium-low heat only until pale gold; start again with fresh oil and garlic if it turns dark. |
| The clams are rubbery. | Why They stayed in the pan after opening. | Fix Remove each clam as soon as its shell opens, then return the meat briefly at the end to warm through. |
| The sauce seems watery and does not cling to the spaghetti. | Why The pasta was not tossed in the pan long enough, or too much pasta water was added at once. | Fix Toss over medium heat for another minute and add pasta water only a splash at a time. |
| The finished dish is too salty. | Why The pasta water was heavily salted, or the clam liquor reduced too far. | Fix Salt the pasta water lightly and loosen the sauce with a little unsalted pasta water. |
Questions
Should spaghetti alle vongole have tomatoes?
No, this Neapolitan-style version is served bianco, without tomatoes. Some regional and home versions include tomato, but garlic, olive oil, clams, and wine make a simple white sauce here.
What kind of clams are best for spaghetti alle vongole?
Littleneck or Manila clams work well because they are small and tender. Scrub them well and ask your seafood seller whether they need purging.
Can I make spaghetti alle vongole without wine?
Yes, replace the wine with an equal amount of water or unsalted seafood stock. The sauce will be less aromatic, but the clams still provide plenty of flavor.
Can I reheat leftover spaghetti alle vongole?
Yes, reheat leftovers gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water until steaming hot. The clams can toughen if heated for too long.
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