Spaghetti and Clams are traditional Italian comfort food - it is the kind of meal I grew up on. Tossed together with fresh tomato sauce and some grated cheese, this no-fuss classic is the definition of simple elegance.

Living the Gourmet: Spaghetti and Clams with Fresh Tomato Sauce

This is a simple, rustic and enjoyable spaghetti dish. There are so many ways to prepare spaghetti with clam sauce and I think I will try all of them for all of you!

I thoroughly enjoyed this meal and yes, as so many meals do it brought back memories of my youth. My father loved fishing and clamming and I loved tagging along as his "fishing buddy". He found such pleasure in simply casting a line, enjoying a sandwich and a cup of coffee. There is something about the salt air combined with a cup of coffee from a thermos and a simple sandwich. You really find the simple joy of life.

We would bring our catch home; that is if we caught anything…and my mom would create a memorable, yet simple dish that today would be considered "gourmet" fare.

My mother's cooking simply was the very best. She never wrote anything down and rarely ever used a recipe, so I have to remember a meal by the taste and try to replicate the dish by the flavors I remember in my mind. I don't quite have this one down as I remember but I will try again to bring the flavors I remember to life.

Spaghetti and Clams with Fresh Tomato Sauce

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5 from 5 reviews

Author: Living the Gourmet
Total Time: 30 minutes

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 lb. of fresh clams in their water
5 plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup of fresh Italian parsley, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3 tbs. olive oil
Lemon wedges
Parmesan or Romano cheese for grating
1 lb. of your favorite spaghetti

Instructions

Heat a large cast iron frying pan with the olive oil; add the diced tomatoes, garlic, celery, and parsley.
Simmer on low until the garlic is fragrant; then, with a potato masher, gently mash the tomatoes; add the seasonings and the clams with their water; gently simmer on low while preparing the spaghetti.
Drain the spaghetti and add to the clam sauce; add a drizzle of olive oil, extra red pepper flakes, dried oregano, fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice, and grated cheese.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian