Chef John's Spaghetti with Red Clam Sauce

Name: Chef John's Spaghetti with Red Clam Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
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; 0.25 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; 0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; Chopped fresh basil leaves or parsley

4.8

(141)

110 Reviews

28 Photos

This is one of my 'go to' recipes and it takes only about 15 minutes from start to finish. The only prep work really is mashing the garlic. The sauce is great on any pasta, but I prefer angel hair or spaghetti.

Recipe by Chef John

Updated on April 23, 2020

28

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

4

Yield:

4 servings

Jump to Nutrition Facts

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

Directions

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 Facts (per serving)

852	Calories
17g	Fat
117g	Carbs
44g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 852
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g	21%
Saturated Fat 4g	18%
Cholesterol 72mg	24%
Sodium 1514mg	66%
Total Carbohydrate 117g	43%
Dietary Fiber 8g	30%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 44g
Vitamin C 25mg	127%
Calcium 231mg	18%
Iron 33mg	184%
Potassium 1442mg	31%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.