Spaghetti alle Vongole (Clam Spaghetti)
Spaghetti tossed with sweet clams, garlic, chilli, white wine and parsley. A simple Italian classic that needs no cream or cheese.
- Time35 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £5.50 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 1025kcal
- 82.3gcarbs
- 5.3gof which sugars
- 35.5gfat
- 9.8gsaturates
- 85.2gprotein
- 4.2gfibre
- 12.7gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Soak the clams in a bowl of cold water with the 1 tablespoon of salt for 30 minutes. Lift them out, leaving the grit behind, and throw away any that are open and do not close when tapped.
30 min - 2
Bring a big pan of well salted water to the boil. Cook the spaghetti for 1 minute less than the packet says. Scoop out a mugful of the water before draining.
8 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a very large pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not brown.
1 min - 4
Add the clams and wine, cover and cook over a high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the pan, until the shells open. Throw away any that stay shut.
3 min 30 s - 5
Add the drained spaghetti, a splash of the pasta water and most of the parsley. Toss over the heat for 1 minute so the pasta soaks up the juices and turns glossy.
1 min - 6
Finish with the lemon zest and a drizzle of oil. Serve straight away with lemon wedges.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
