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  1. Food and Cooking
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  3. Linguine with Clam Sauce

Linguine with Clam Sauce

This is the first meal I ever cooked for Ladd!

By Ree DrummondUpdated: Feb 9, 2026
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5
1 Rating
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linguine with clam sauce
Stacy Allen
Yields:
6 serving(s)
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins

Many years ago, a red-headed city girl found herself on a cattle ranch, trying very hard to impress a certain tall, quiet cowboy with a home-cooked meal. That meal, unfortunately, happened to be linguine with clam sauce. And that, my friends, is how my culinary love story with Marlboro Man officially began… on slightly shaky ground.

This was the very first dinner I ever made for Ladd. To this day, I’m not sure what possessed me to think a fourth-generation cattle rancher—whose idea of fine dining involved beef, beef, and more beef—would swoon over pasta with clams. Bless his heart, he ate it anyway. Or at least he gave it a good try. He smiled, said all the right things, and never once mentioned that seafood was not exactly his love language. I would discover that important detail later. Much later. Oops.

Still, I stand by this dish. This linguine with clam sauce is bright, garlicky, lemony, and downright dreamy if you’re a lover of seafood recipes. It comes together in about 20 minutes and—because I can’t help myself—I add a splash of cream and a sprinkle of parmesan to make it extra comforting. If you’re planning a cozy date-night dinner or just want a pasta that feels special, this one fits the bill.

What kind of clams are best for linguine with clam sauce?

Canned chopped clams are great for this recipe and keep it quick and approachable. They’re already cleaned, chopped, and packed with flavorful clam juice, which forms the base of the sauce. If you prefer fresh clams, you can certainly use them, but canned clams are ideal for this fast, weeknight-friendly dish.

Do you have to use white wine in linguine with clam sauce?

White wine adds brightness and depth to clam sauce, but it’s not absolutely required. If you prefer to skip the wine, you can substitute additional reserved clam juice or a splash of chicken broth with a squeeze of extra lemon juice to mimic the acidity.

What should you serve with linguine and clam sauce?

This pasta pairs well with a simple green salad, crusty bread for soaking up the sauce, and a glass of crisp white wine. Lemon wedges on the side add a fresh finishing touch that brightens the whole dish.

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Ingredients

  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 1 lb. linguine
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. salted butter
  • 2 (10-ounce) cans chopped clams, drained and juice reserved
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3/4 cup white wine
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon, plus lemon wedges for serving
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions

    1. Step 1Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to the package directions for al dente. Be careful not to overcook; the pasta should have plenty of bite to it. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, drain the pasta, and keep it warm.
    2. Step 2Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter. (Using both olive oil and butter allows you to heat the mixture at a higher heat before it starts to brown.) Add the clams and garlic and stir together. Cook until fragrant and just beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Pour in the white wine, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sauce is reduced and less watery, 2 to 3 minutes. 
    3. Step 3Add 1/2 cup of the reserved clam juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and stir to melt. Reduce the heat to medium-low and squeeze in the lemon juice. Pour in the cream and sprinkle in the parsley. This is a very decadent dish! Add the black pepper, taste for seasoning, and add salt as desired. Cook at a low simmer, stirring, until heated through, about 3 minutes more.
    4. Step 4Pour the pasta directly into the skillet along with ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water, and toss until the pasta is glossy with sauce. Add additional pasta water, if needed. At this point your kitchen smells like heaven. Top with parmesan and more parsley, and garnish with lemon wedges.

Love this recipe? Try one of these next!

  • Shrimp Scampi
    15 mins
  • Clam Chowder
    45 mins
  • Shrimp Alfredo
    30 mins
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