Spaghetti alle Vongole – Pasta with Clams and White Wine

Spaghetti alle Vongole

There’s something timeless about Spaghetti alle Vongole, the classic Italian pasta with clams. The freshness of the clams, and the fragrance of white wine all come together in one simple but unforgettable dish.

I haven’t been to Europe—or Italy—yet, but every time I taste this pasta, I feel as though I’m transported to a summer evening on the Amalfi Coast. The briny clams mingling with the gentle acidity of white wine, the pasta perfectly coated in the silky sauce, and that final touch of fresh parsley—it’s pure magic on a plate.

It’s a dish that makes you slow down, pour yourself a glass of wine

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• 200g dried spaghetti

• 500g fresh clams, cleaned and soaked

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 eschalot (French shallot), finely chopped

• 1 fresh red chili, thinly sliced

• 1/3 glass dry white wine

• 2 parsley stems

• Salt, to taste

• Fresh parsley leaves, chopped (for garnish)

• 1/2 lemon
  
  
  

  1. Prepare the Clams

  1. Soak clams in salted water for at least 30 minutes to remove sand.

  2. Rinse under running water and set aside.

  2. Cook the pasta

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

  2. Cook spaghetti around 5 minutes as it will finish cooking in the white winesauce).

  3. Reserve ½ cup pasta water

  3. Cook the Sauce

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.

  2. Add garlic, eschalot, and fresh chili, parsley stem, Sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).

  3. Add all the clams, pour in the white wine in, close the lid until clams open the shell

  4. Remove clams, set on a side. Add spaghetti (drained) into the pan, cook for another 3 minutes

  5. Add a splash of reserved pasta water , toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until well coated.

  6. Season with salt, lemon juice

  7. Add chopped parsley, mix well

  5. Serve & Enjoy

  1. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

  2. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves.

  3. Serve immediately with extra chili if desired.