Linguine with Clams is an easy dinner than comes together in under 30 minutes. It is fancy enough for guests, but easy enough for a weeknight meal.
This recipe is so near and dear to my heart.
My mom used to make me Linguine with Clams for my birthday. Giving me the option to request anything my heart desired, I always always picked her Clam Linguine.
But, I never had the foresight to write the recipe down. So it was lost when I lost her . . . or so I thought!
Recently, my dad sent me a few recipes from my childhood (including this Broccoli Pasta), and a recipe for linguine and clams was in there. My wonderful husband made it for me for my birthday.
It was close, but it wasn’t quite the recipe. But with a few tweaks, we have it. Just as delicious as I always remembered it, and I think you are going to love it too.
This is the best white clam sauce I’ve ever had in my life, restaurant or internet recipe and so glad that i saw your recipe and is my go to one. Thanks so much!
How to Make Linguine with Clams
Linguine with clam sauce comes together so simply. This is a brief overview, for the full recipe, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Cook the linguine. Read all my tips on cooking pasta here: How to Cook Pasta.
- Sauté the onion and garlic in oil. While the water is coming to a boil, heat up the oil and then add the onion and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
- Make the clam sauce. Add in white wine, lemon juice, and 1 cup of reserved liquid from the canned clams. Simmer down for 10 minutes.
- Bring it all together. Toss the cooked linguine and clams with the sauce, and enjoy!
Using Canned Calms
This recipe calls for canned baby clams over littleneck clams for a few reasons.
- They are more affordable.
- They are easy to keep on hand.
- Canned baby clams do not need to be cooked, so you don’t have to worry about that step when making this recipe.
- They are easier to eat.
Making Clam Sauce
A big part of what makes this recipe special is the clam sauce. It comes together with just three ingredients.
- Dry white wine: I use Pinot Grigio’s because it is crisp without being sweet. Sauvignon Blanc is a great alternative. Please avoid using cooking wine. If you want to skip the wine, read my recommendations below.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is the best choice for this recipe since it will reduce and the flavor will intensify.
- Clam juice: The clam juice comes right from the canned clams. Drain the juice from the cans, until you get 1 cup.
Making this Without Wine
If you don’t cook with alcohol or are cooking for someone who can’t have wine, you can replace the white wine with additional clam juice. You should have enough with the two cans of clams you have.
Tips to Keep this Recipe Quick
The way we keep this recipe quick is by multi tasking. Resist the urge to prepare all your ingredients as the first step.
Instead, start your water for your linguine right away. While the water is coming to a boil, chop your onion, mince the garlic, and measure out your other ingredients.
The linguine will be done before it is time to toss it with the sauce. If it sits for too long, it might start to stick together. You can give it a quick rinse with warm water, draining it well, and then add it to the sauce for easy tossing.
Storing
Linguine with clams can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days in an airtight container. To reheat, warm it in a skillet over low heat. You can add more clam juice or seafood broth to keep it from drying out if necessary. As with all leftovers use your best discretion, toss any leftovers that smell or look off.
What to Serve with Linguine and White Clam Sauce
The recipes below were chosen specifically because of how well their flavors will pair with the fresh taste of this dish, but also because they are gorgeous and great for entertaining.
- Arugula Salad: This side salad is simple, but the subtle lemon flavor in this will be perfect with the linguine and clam sauce.
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: An easy recipe to throw together, but it will present so well for guests. Or your could go even simpler with Oven Roasted Asparagus.
- Pea Soup Recipe: This soup is ridiculously simple but would impress guests. It’s also light, so perfect for pairing with a pasta dish.
If you make my Clam Linguine Recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Clam Linguine
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound linguine cooked according to package instructions (226.8 grams)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup white wine I used Pinot Grigio, but any non sweet wine will do
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup clam juice reserved from the canned clams
- 13 ounces minced clams two 6.5 ounce cans (368.5 grams)
- fresh parsley minced (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the linguine to al dente according to package instructions in a large pot of salted water. Read all my tips on cooking it here: How to Cook Pasta. Be sure to toss the linguine regularly as it cooks so it doesn't stick together.1/2 pound linguine
- While the water for the linguine is coming to a boil, chop the onion and garlic, and measure out the other ingredients.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the white wine, lemon juice, and clam juice (not the clams themselves) to the skillet. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.1/3 cup white wine, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 cup clam juice
- Add the clams and the cooked linguine to the skillet. Toss to combine and serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired.13 ounces minced clams, fresh parsley
Recipe Video
Paula says
I’ve used alot of different recipes to make white clam sauce this was THE Best by far! I only had angel hair pasta in the pantry and the lightness of the angel hair complimented your wonderful clam sauce. Your mom knew what she was doing when she made it and I’m glad for you that you can recreate a wonderful memory if her.
I’m so glad you liked it Paula!
Debra Pacini says
Delicious 😋 simple and easy.
I’m so glad you liked it!
RD says
Some of us just want to get to the recipe, the faster we can get to the recipe, the better.
And that’s why I have a jump to the recipe button at the top of every post.
Andrea says
If I’m not using the wine how much claim juice should I use
You would want to keep the amount the same.
Linda says
Made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! Will make it again, for sure. Thanks so much.
You are very welcome, I’m so happy you liked it!
Marcia says
Easy to make and delicious with piece of garlic bread thanks Lisa, OH and happy belated birthday if I missed it!
Thank you, Marcia!
Christy says
I wanted to love this so badly. This was so bland, and different than any other I’ve had. I am not sure what the problem is, maybe my clams were not great! I deviated and used 3 cans of Snow’s chopped clams. They had no flavor which I am sure translated to the lack of flavor in the dish. My husband won’t say anything bad about what I make, and he said he could taste a “subtle flavor”! I was deflated after his long week on a Friday night! He is a sweet a can be. Made me sad!🥹
I’m so sorry this wasn’t a hit for you. I will say that I do think that the clams having no flavor is the issue as you mentioned. We are using both their liquid and them, and if they bring nothing to the dish, yeah. It’s not going to be great. I hope you try it again with some better clams!
Charlotte says
This is an excellent, delicious recipe. Thank you!
I’m so happy you liked it!
anna says
love your recipes!!! the only change I add a bit of flour to thicken the sauce . the sauce really clings to the pasta with the flour added. delicious!!!!
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Chels says
My Dad used to make this all the time, however he could not remember the recipe. I remember it being simple, and he likes this better than his! The only difference is I use a little bit less lemon, shallots instead of the onion, and add a couple extra cloves of garlic. And that is only because of taste preference. Thank you for posting this recipe! Since my Mom passed he has been wanting to help with dinners, and this is a weekly favorite. Many thanks!
Oh, I’m so glad you found this one! I treasure this recipe the same way!