The Best Classic Linguine With Clams Recipe

The inimitable combination of briny bivalve and slick noodle is one of our favorites in a classic linguine with clams dish, but the problem is, most versions are so short on clams, you need flippers and a scuba tank to find them. Our bowl of linguine with clams recipe is more clam than pasta, which also gives it a tastier and healthier ratio.

Nutrition: 470 calories, 6 g fat (1 g saturated), 590 mg sodium

Serves 4

You'll Need

4 strips bacon, cut into thin strips
1 red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Generous pinch of red pepper flakes
32 littleneck clams, scrubbed clean
1 cup dry white wine
12 oz whole wheat linguine
1⁄4 cup fresh chopped parsley leaves (Curly parsley may be reserved as a lifeless garnish for steaks, but flat-leaf parsley—also called Italian parsley—is a great and versatile herb, perfect to garnish pastas, soups, and soft scrambled eggs.)

How to Make It

1. Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until the fat renders and the bacon is well browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Remove the bacon and reserve; pour out all but a thin film of the fat.
3. Return the pan to the heat and add the onion, garlic, and pepper flakes.
4. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
5. Add the clams and wine and continue to cook over medium heat until most of the wine has evaporated and the clams have all opened—this should take about 10 minutes. (If the clams aren't opening, top the pan with a lid until they do. Discard any that never open.)
6. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until tender yet still al dente.
7. Drain the pasta, reserving a cup or so of the cooking water, and add the cooked linguine directly to the pan with the clams.
8. Stir in the parsley and cook for 30 seconds, adding a bit of pasta water if the noodles look dry. Divide the clams and pasta among 4 warm bowls and serve immediately.

Eat This Tip

How to Mince Garlic

Bottled garlic lacks the character and the nutrients of the fresh stuff, because you lose most of its essential oils. Mince your own in 30 seconds or less with this how-to:6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Step 1: Press the heel of your knife to flatten a single garlic clove.
Step 2: Peel off the papery skin that flakes off.
Step 3: Cut off the root ends.
Step 4: Cut the garlic clove into thin planks, then cut the planks into tiny pieces to mince.

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