How to Make Chef John's Spaghetti with Red Clam Sauce - A Step-by-Step Guide

Chef John's Spaghetti with Red Clam Sauce is a beloved Italian-American classic that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. This dish is full of robust flavors, and it's surprisingly easy to make. With a few simple ingredients and Chef John's expert guidance, you'll be able to recreate this restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen.

This recipe starts with a base of juicy, tender clams in a flavorful tomato sauce. The addition of garlic, crushed red pepper, and fres...

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 1 tablespoon anchovy paste
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar tomato pasta sauce
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 cup good-quality crisp white wine
  • 2 (6.5 ounce) cans chopped clams, drained with juice reserved
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound dry spaghetti
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh basil leaves or parsley

Information

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Pour olive oil into cold skillet. Add garlic, capers, anchovy paste, and red pepper flakes. Place over medium heat and cook and stir until the oil is infused with the flavors of the mixture, about 5 minutes, taking care not to brown the garlic. Add tomato sauce and rinse jar with 1/4 cup water; add water to skillet. Pour in wine and juice from clams, reserving the clams. Bring to a simmer until slightly reduced and thickened, 7 to 9 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost al dente, or about 1 minute less than directed on package. Drain. Return pasta to the pot off heat.
  • Stir clams into the sauce. Pour sauce over pasta. Stir; cover the pot to allow it to finish cooking off heat and to allow the pasta will absorb some of the sauce, about 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Top with chopped fresh basil and/or parsley.
  • Nutrition

    852 cal.

    • Total Fat: 17g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 72mg
    • Sodium: 1514mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 117g
    • Dietary Fiber: 8g
    • Total Sugars: 19g
    • Protein: 44g
    • Vitamin C: 25mg
    • Calcium: 231mg
    • Iron: 33mg
    • Potassium: 1442mg