Grandpa Joe's
Linguine with Clams and Wine Sauce

Linguine con le Vongole.  Molto buono!

About this recipe

Linguine and seafood is one of my favorite pasta combinations.  I am almost indifferent as to which seafood is involved.  If forced to select one, however, I would choose clams.  The next choice is between clams in a red sauce or clams in a white (typically wine) sauce.  The wine sauce almost always wins because of it's ability to enhance the subtle flavor of the clams.  There are many versions of this recipe available online and in (probably) all Italian cookbooks.  This is mine!

Ingredients

  • ½ pound clams, without shells
  • ½ pound linguine
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup shallots, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup bottled clam juice
  • 1 large ripe tomato, chopped
  • ¼ cup parsley, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • kosher salt

Directions

  1. Add the olive oil, butter, shallots, and garlic to a large sauté pan, and cook over medium heat until the shallots are translucent.  Except for the clams and pasta, add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes uncovered.
  2. Taste the sauce for proper seasoning.  A half teaspoon (or less) of kosher salt may be necessary.
  3. Add the clams and bring to a boil again over medium heat.  Then reduce the heat to low again and cook for another 5 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, cook the linguine according to package instructions in boiling salted water.  When the pasta is about one minute from being fully cooked, drain it and transfer it to the sauté pan. 
  5. Mix the pasta and clam sauce thoroughly. and then serve immediately.
  6. Serve immediately garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
Linguine with Clams and Wine Sauce.
Linguine with Clams, Scallops, and Wine Sauce!

Notes

  • Serves two.
  • Either fresh or frozen clam meat work well in this recipe.  Fresh clams, with shells, work even better!
  • You can also complement the clams by adding other fresh seafood.  Scallops or calamari, for example, are always tasty choices.
Posted: April 2016; updated: April 2018.