The Best Clam Sauce Recipes

LINGUINE WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• In large pot over high heat, bring 4 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons of kosher salt to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to the package directions until just shy of al dente (the pasta should still be firm to the bite since it will cook another minute or two in the sauce).
• Meanwhile, in a very large sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until hot but not smoking. Add the shallots and garlic and sauté until just golden, about 30 seconds. Add the wine, red pepper flakes, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, clams, and ¼ cup of the parsley; bring to a simmer and cook, covered, until the clams open, 6 to 8 minutes. Discard any unopened clams.
• Reserving ½ cup of the cooking water, drain the linguine in a colander (do not rinse). Add the pasta to the sauté pan with the clams. (If you don't have room for everything in one pan, transfer the clams to a plate and cover to keep warm. When ready to serve, add them back to the pasta on a serving platter). Increase the heat to medium and cook the linguini with the clams, tossing occasionally, until the pasta absorbs most of the sauce and is just tender, 1 to 2 minutes. If necessary, add some of reserved cooking water to keep moist. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley; toss to coat. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, lemon zest and/or lemon juice, if necessary. Transfer to a serving dish or bowls and serve.
• Note: When cooking with wine, select a bottle that is inexpensive (under $10) but still good enough to drink. Avoid "cooking wines," which are salty and include additives.

OLD-FASHIONED LINGUINE WITH WHITE CLAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a 5 qt pot, heat water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, melt butter and olive oil in pan.
• Sautee onion and garlic, and add crushed red pepper flakes.
• Add lemon juice, oregano, basil, and Old Bay seasoning, stir for one minute Add clams with juice.
• Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Drain pasta and place in large bowl.
• Cover pasta with clam sauce, stir well and top with parsley and parmesan cheese.
• Serve with warm crusty bread and chilled white wine.

WHITE CLAM SAUCE

Steps:

• MELT BUTTER WITH OLIVE OIL IN LARGE HEAVY SKILLET OVER MEDIUM HEAT.
• ADD GARLIC AND SAUTE ABOUT 1 MIN.
• QUICKLY BLEND IN FLOUR WITH WIRE WHISK.
• GRADUALLY STIR IN REMAINING INGREDIENTS.
• COOK OVER MEDIUM LOW HEAT, STIRRING CONSTANTLY UNTIL SAUCE IS SLIGHTLY THICKENED.
• PLACE COOKED PASTA IN INDIVIDUAL SERVING DISHES.
• SPOON CLAM SAUCE OVER PASTA.
• SERVE.
• PASS GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE.