Catherine'S Spaghetti With Clams
A light, flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring delicate angel hair spaghetti with savory minced clams, garlic, and fresh parsley, perfect for an elegant yet quick meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 2-3 minutes.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Drain the minced clams and add them to the skillet, cooking for another minute.
- Drain the cooked spaghetti, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the clam mixture.
- Toss to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Stir in chopped fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic. If you can't find minced clams, fresh clams can be used instead; just steam them open and chop finely. For a lighter dish, substitute spaghetti with zucchini noodles. This recipe comes together quickly, so have all ingredients prepped and ready before starting to cook.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the spaghetti with clams immediately for the best texture. Pair it with a light salad or crusty bread to soak up the sauce. This dish pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like Seafood Risotto for a complete meal. For a refreshing drink, consider a crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of olive oil to keep it moist. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the spaghetti gummy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Catherine'S Spaghetti With Clams contains roughly 1042 calories, with 19g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 102g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (180% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (103% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (100% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 20g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh clams instead of canned?
Yes, fresh clams are a great substitute! Just steam them until they open, then chop and add them to the skillet. This will add a delightful freshness to the dish and enhance the overall flavor profile.
What can I do if the sauce is too dry?
If your sauce seems too dry, simply add a splash of the reserved pasta water gradually while tossing the spaghetti. This will help to loosen the sauce and create a silkier texture without losing flavor.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
For a vegetarian option, you can replace clams with sautéed mushrooms or spinach, and use vegetable broth for added flavor. This will create a delicious alternative while maintaining the essence of a pasta dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).