Special White Clam Sauce

Dive into the briny, savory flavors of the ocean with this Special White Clam Sauce recipe—a true classic that’s perfect for seafood lovers. Featuring tender littleneck clams simmered in a fragrant blend of garlic, dry white wine, clam juice, and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat, this dish is elevated with fresh parsley, oregano, and a splash of fresh lemon juice for brightness. Whether served over al dente pasta or paired with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the luscious sauce, this recipe is a quick and elegant dinner option, ready in just 35 minutes. Bursting with coastal flavors and simple ingredients, it’s a surefire way to bring restaurant-quality seafood to your kitchen table.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Littleneck clams (fresh, scrubbed clean)
• 4 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 4 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 cup Dry white wine
• 1 cup Clam juice
• 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon Fresh oregano (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper
• 0.5 Lemon (juiced)
• 12 ounces Pasta (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

If serving with pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Thoroughly scrub the clams under cold running water to remove any grit. Discard any clams that are open and do not close when tapped.

Step 3

In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted and bubbling.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 5

Pour in the dry white wine and clam juice, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 6

Add the cleaned clams to the pan, distributing them evenly in a single layer. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the clams open. Discard any clams that remain closed.

Step 7

Stir in the chopped parsley, oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Squeeze the lemon juice over the sauce and mix well.

Step 8

If using pasta, add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss gently to coat in the sauce.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1860.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2160.0

Total Fat 95.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 392.2mg	0%
Sodium 3025.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.5g	0%
Total Sugars 5.9g
Protein 152.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 577.1mg	0%
Iron 155.2mg	0%
Potassium 1764.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.8%

Protein: 31.0%

Carbs: 25.1%