If you're craving a quick and comforting seafood pasta dish, Easy White Clam Sauce is the answer. Made with canned clams, milk, butter and flour, it's a simple, delicious recipe that's stood the test of time, straight from my mom’s kitchen. This easy white clam sauce is ready in under 30 minutes.
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⭐ Why Melinda Loves Easy White Clam Sauce
Enjoy the convenience of canned clams to deliver a classic seafood pasta dish.
It's a nostalgic, quick, cozy recipe that's perfect for a busy weeknight. My mom used to make this all the time when I was growing up! This recipe and Old Fashioned Salmon Patties were common meals in my childhood home.
Lots of serving options. Top your favorite pasta with the clam sauce, or even quicker, serve it over toast.
🥛Ingredients to Have on Hand
Canned Clams: I always keep two cans of clams on hand just for this recipe! Use one can of minced and one can of chopped clams, which offers a variety of textures. Just like with Creamy Seafood Chowder and Crockpot Clam Chowder, many of the ingredients are pantry-friendly!
2% Milk: You could also use 1% or even whole milk, depending on your preference. But the more fat in the milk, the richer the sauce will be. Whether making a homemade pasta sauce or a main dish like Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese or Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese, silky milk with a touch of fat makes a big difference!
Butter: This is a flavor-booster. But it's also the key ingredient for developing the base of the white sauce, along with an equal amount of flour.
Scroll to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📖 Substitutions
Add a clove or two of crushed garlic to the melted butter to add a rich garlicky flavor to the clam sauce.
Include a half teaspoon of dried basil, oregano, or Old Bay Seasoning to boost the savory taste.
Replace the milk with half-and-half or cream to make a sauce that's even more velvety and rich.
♨️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Drain both cans of clams into a glass measuring cup. You'll likely have about 1 cup of clam juice, but it can vary.
Step 2: Add enough milk to the clam juice to equal 2 cups of liquid. Set the clams aside. You'll use those in a minute.
Step 3: Melt butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour.
Step 4: Keep whisking for about a minute, or until the flour and butter turn foamy. Watch it closely and turn down the heat if the butter starts to burn.
Step 5: Add the milk and clam juice and stir until thickened and creamy.
Step 6: Add the drained clams and pepper (optional) and stir.
Step 7: Add the dried parsley and stir again. The parsley is optional, but it adds great color and a subtle touch of herb seasoning.
Step 8: Stir again until the parsley is blended and all of the ingredients are hot. Serve over cooked pasta and sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese.
⭐ Pro Tip
Plan to make the white clam sauce shortly before serving it. Store any leftovers covered and refrigerated, reheat and for the best flavor and freshness, enjoy the leftovers within 3 days.
💭 Recipe FAQs
The liquid from the clams is full of flavor, and clams are typically canned with added salt. But taste the sauce first and decide if you might add a pinch of additional salt.
There's no need to rinse canned clams. But I do recommend checking the label and shopping for brands that are packaged with clams, clam juice, salt and little else.
🥘 What to Serve With Easy White Clam Sauce
Here are a few sides that are easy to prep, even the day before. They all balance the richness of the clams and pasta with fresh flavors and textures.
Serve with Roasted Veggies: Simple, elegant and very quick to prepare, Pan-Roasted Asparagus and Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze bring earthiness and freshness that pair beautifully with seafood and pasta.
Sides with Tangy Flavor: Crunchy Cole Slaw is a popular side for rich seafood. The cool, tangy slaw adds brightness and a crunchy bite that's perfect for cutting through the richness of the creamy white clam sauce. Mixed Bean Salad is also a great option; it includes a deliciously sweetened balsamic vinegar sauce.
Herb and Garlic Dip, Veggie Platter: Serve my garlicky, creamy dried herb dip with raw veggies or breadsticks and crackers as a pre-meal appetizer. The herby garlic flavors do a great job warming up your guests' palates.
🍽 Other Tasty Pasta Sauces
Here are a few more saucy options for topping your favorite pasta.
If you make Easy White Clam Sauce, I'd love to hear how it turned out and if you enjoyed it. Please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and a comment below. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Recipe
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
(From Melinda) This is a classic, tried-and-true way to enjoy seafood and pasta! I've been making this for years and can't wait to hear what you think of it too.