Weeknight Pasta with Clam Sauce

Packed with vibrant, briny flavors and a dash of elegance, this Weeknight Pasta with Clam Sauce is the perfect quick yet satisfying meal for busy evenings. Featuring tender spaghetti tossed in a luscious garlic-infused clam sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes and a splash of dry white wine, this dish is as comforting as it is gourmet. Finished with fresh parsley and a bright touch of lemon zest, it strikes the perfect balance between fresh and indulgent. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is a weeknight hero that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Serve it with a side of crusty bread and a sprinkle of Parmesan for an Italian-inspired dinner the whole family will love!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 2 10-ounce cans canned chopped clams (with juice)
• 0.5 cups dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper
• 0 to serve grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 3

Add the canned clams with their juice and the white wine to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes to slightly reduce the liquid and concentrate the flavors.

Step 4

Stir in the lemon zest and parsley, and season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 5

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta in the clam sauce. If the mixture looks dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it up.

Step 6

Cook for another 1-2 minutes, tossing frequently, until the pasta is well-coated and heated through.

Step 7

Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(615.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1300.6

Total Fat 71.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 79.3mg	0%
Sodium 362.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 116.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.9g	0%
Total Sugars 4.7g
Protein 28.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 174.2mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 489.9mg	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: 52.5%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 38.1%