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Pasta

Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes

Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, also called red clam spaghetti, is a flavorful and quick seafood pasta, perfect for any occasion.
Recipe Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Preparation 20 minutes
  • Cooking 25 minutes
  • Servings for 4 people

Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes is one of the best-loved recipes of the Italian culinary tradition, especially in the coastal regions where fresh seafood takes center stage. This dish brings together the delicate, briny flavor of clams and the sweetness and brightness of cherry tomatoes, creating a balance of flavors that wins you over at first bite. Unlike the “white” version, Red Clam Spaghetti (as it is called when tomato is added) has a richer, more colorful flavor, perfect for anyone who loves a slightly heartier sauce without giving up the freshness of the sea.

The Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes recipe is not complicated, but it calls for care in choosing the ingredients. The clams must be very fresh, preferably carpet shell clams (vongole veraci), while the cherry tomatoes should be ripe but firm, so they keep the right texture as they cook. The secret to success also lies in tossing the pasta properly in the pan until creamy, and in the balance between garlic, extra virgin olive oil and the scent of fresh parsley.

The Spaghetti with Clams and Tomato recipe is perfect for a summer lunch with friends, but it also suits an elegant seafood dinner. Whether you call it Red Clam Spaghetti or Spaghetti with Clams and Tomato, the result is the same: a refined, fragrant and irresistible first course that tastes of the sea and the Mediterranean.

Ingredients for 4 people

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Method

  1. To make the Spaghetti with Clams, start by placing the clams in a large bowl and covering them with plenty of cold water. Let them soak for 2-3 hours, remembering to change the water several times to get rid of the sand. When this is done, heat a little extra virgin olive oil in a pan with a clove of garlic and a few sprigs of parsley. Add the clams, pour in half a glass of white wine and cover with a lid. Cook over high heat until all the shells have opened.
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 1: clams soaking in cold water
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 2: clams cooking in a pan with garlic, parsley and white wine
  2. When all the clams have opened, transfer them from the pan to a plate and set them aside. Meanwhile, strain the cooking liquid to remove any remaining sand or impurities.
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 3: opened clams in the pan
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 4: cooked clams set aside and the cooking liquid strained
  3. Shell about 70% of the clams, leaving a few whole to use as a garnish and make the dish more striking when you serve it.
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 5: shelling most of the clams
  4. Put a generous amount of chopped parsley, a finely chopped clove of garlic, a crumbled chili pepper and the cherry tomatoes cut in half into a pan. Add a generous drizzle of olive oil and sauté everything for a few moments. Stir in the clam cooking liquid you strained earlier and let the flavors blend over high heat for a few minutes.
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 6: halved cherry tomatoes with garlic and parsley in a pan
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 7: spaghetti tossed in the pan with the tomato sauce
  5. Drain the spaghetti while still al dente and transfer it straight into the pan with the sauce. Add a little of the pasta cooking water and start cooking it risotto-style, stirring often so it absorbs the flavors well. Shortly before it is done, add all the clams, another pinch of chopped parsley and half a ladle of cooking water. Toss carefully until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta well.
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 8: clams added to the spaghetti in the pan
    Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes, preparation 9: spaghetti with clams ready to serve
  6. Arrange the spaghetti neatly on plates and serve piping hot. If you like, finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!
    Plate of spaghetti with clams and cherry tomatoes

Variations and Alternatives

Pasta with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes lends itself to several variations: besides the classic spaghetti, you can choose the pasta shape you like best. Linguine is an excellent alternative, pairing perfectly with this rich, fragrant sauce.

Tips

To make flawless Spaghetti with Clams, it is essential to purge the clams carefully: it is the only way to avoid unpleasant sand in the dish. For the best way to clean clams, we recommend checking out our detailed guide on How to Clean Clams.

Storage

Spaghetti with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes is at its best freshly made, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for no more than one day.

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