Rating: 3.43
(52)

Spaghetti with Clam and Zucchini Sauce

August 8, 2023

Spaghetti with Clam and Zucchini Sauce is a light, flavorful dish that combines the briny sweetness of clams with the freshness of zucchini and a touch of garlic and herbs. This pasta is the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and mildly aromatic, creating a delicious seafood-based meal that feels both indulgent and refreshing. Whether you’re cooking for a casual weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this dish is sure to impress with its simplicity and fresh, vibrant flavors.

The key to this dish is the balance between the sweet clams and the soft, slightly earthy zucchini. The clams provide a briny depth that enhances the overall flavor of the sauce, while the zucchini adds a mild, slightly sweet note and a wonderful texture. The zucchini is sliced or julienned, allowing it to cook down and become tender without losing its subtle crunch.

To make the sauce, you start by sautéing garlic in olive oil until it’s fragrant, then adding fresh clams that open up as they cook, releasing their juices into the sauce. A splash of white wine (or even vegetable broth) deglazes the pan, infusing the sauce with more flavor. As the clams open, the zucchini is added, allowing it to cook down and meld with the seafood, creating a savory, light sauce. A touch of lemon juice and zest adds brightness to the dish, while fresh herbs such as parsley or basil bring a fragrant note that ties everything together.

Once the sauce is ready, it’s tossed with al dente spaghetti, which absorbs the clam-infused sauce beautifully. The result is a dish that’s light but full of flavor, with tender clams, delicate zucchini, and the richness of olive oil and garlic. A sprinkle of Parmesan or Pecorino cheese can be added for a creamy finish, though it’s not necessary as the dish is already flavorful on its own.

Spaghetti with Clam and Zucchini Sauce is the perfect dish for seafood lovers who want something light yet satisfying. It’s a great way to showcase the natural flavors of fresh clams, making it ideal for a summer dinner or a cozy evening meal.

In summary, Spaghetti with Clam and Zucchini Sauce is a delightful, light pasta dish that brings together the delicate flavors of seafood and fresh vegetables. With a simple, flavorful sauce, this dish is the epitome of fresh, coastal cooking, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Spaghetti with Clam and Zucchini Sauce
Spaghetti with Clam and Zucchini Sauce
3.43 from 52 votes
A delicious pasta dish with a flavorful clam and zucchini sauce.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 200 grams spaghetti
  • 500 grams clams
  • 2 zucchini medium, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • 1. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • 2. In a separate large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • 3. Add diced zucchini to the pan and cook until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
  • 4. Add the clams to the pan and pour in the white wine and vegetable broth. Cover and cook until the clams open, about 5-7 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open.
  • 5. Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan with the clam and zucchini sauce. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce.
  • 6. Serve the spaghetti with clam and zucchini sauce hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 15gFat: 8gFiber: 5g
Calories: 380kcal
Meal Type: Lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Spaghetti, Zucchini
Cooking Method: Boiled
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar sanora.gislason says:

    2 stars
    Too much work for a simple dish. Just boil the pasta and toss some sauce on it.

  2. User avatar lucien.predovic1994 says:

    3 stars
    just try it

    1. User avatar cesar.hudson says:

      2 stars
      Clams eh? I don’t know about that… isn’t there like a risk with them? What if they don’t open or something?

    2. 5 stars
      Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try this recipe out, especially with the clams!

  3. 4 stars
    OMG this is a keeper! Just right amount of garlic <3

  4. User avatar oswaldo.legros97 says:

    5 stars
    Made it for my fam and they loved it! Definitely a keeper! 👏

  5. User avatar kevin.spinka80 says:

    5 stars
    This is a game changer! Absolutely loved the fresh flavors. Will make again for sure!

  6. User avatar celina.johns64 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I love this recipe. Very fresh and perfect for summer. The white wine really adds depth.

  7. User avatar wilmer.christiansen13 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a total game changer! The clams and zucchini make such a delicious combo. 5 stars!

    1. User avatar nickolas.bergstrom86 says:

      5 stars
      I tried it and loved it too! The freshness of the clams really pops! Can’t wait to make it again!

  8. User avatar yuriko.feeney says:

    4 stars
    I made this last night and I think I added too much salt!!! Oops! 😅

  9. User avatar joellen.grant14 says:

    5 stars
    Simple and tasty, who knew zucchini could be so good with spaghetti!

  10. User avatar misha.schuppe76 says:

    1 star
    Spaghetti should not be paired with clams. Period. Just wrong!

  11. 5 stars
    OMG, this is a miracle dish! 😍

  12. User avatar cleveland.schumm15 says:

    4 stars
    Very easy to make! I used canned clams instead and it still turned out fine.

  13. User avatar henrietta.okon26 says:

    3 stars
    Yikes, I had a bad experience with clams before. So I skipped them and just did the zucchini. Still good!

  14. 4 stars
    Really easy and quick to make! My kids loved it, especially with the garlic. I’ll definitely make it again!

  15. User avatar Thufir Hawat says:

    4 stars
    I had a really hard time finding fresh clams. I ended up using canned ones and it was still good! Not the same tho.

  16. User avatar collin.hahn1986 says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe but it turned out too salty. Maybe use less salt next time?

    1. User avatar Ne'ez Yohma says:

      2 stars
      Nah, I think you just added too much salt. Follow the recipe and you should be fine!

    2. 4 stars
      I had the same issue! I think the broth can be salty too, so next time I’ll just adjust it.

  17. User avatar gerald.corkery37 says:

    5 stars
    This looks sooo good! I can’t wait to try it this weekend!

    1. User avatar liberal.hero says:

      5 stars
      I hope you enjoy it! It really is a delicious dish. Don’t forget to share how it turns out!

    2. 2 stars
      Sounds good but clams? Not sure about that. My brother had a bad experience once…like real bad.

  18. User avatar junie.wisoky45 says:

    4 stars
    Zucchini in pasta?? Never thought it would work. Surprised! 👍

  19. User avatar sergio.nicolas45 says:

    4 stars
    Spaghetti good! 😋

  20. 1 star
    didnt i eat clam once? not my thing…nope.

  21. 2 stars
    I tried making this and it was super bland. I added chili flakes to spice it up but still not great. I feel like it needs more flavor.

  22. User avatar thomas.kirlin1954 says:

    2 stars
    I dunno, it feels kinda weird to eat clams with pasta. Not my fav combo.

  23. User avatar robin.kohler says:

    3 stars
    Too much wine for my taste 😬. Next time less wine, please!

  24. User avatar jefferey.hane14 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know if clams go with zucchini 🤔. Next time i’ll just stick with normal tomato sauce!

  25. User avatar brett.howe says:

    3 stars
    Simple and easy, but I think I overcooked the clam. Lesson learned! Also, why do we throw some away? Seems a waste.

  26. 1 star
    Spaghetti with clams? That’s weird. Not sure if I want to try this. Sounds too fancy for me.

  27. User avatar lorenza.spencer2020 says:

    2 stars
    Zucchini in a pasta? Why? Can’t it just be traditional spaghetti with tomato sauce?

    1. User avatar lorena.crona says:

      4 stars
      Zucchini adds a nice twist! It’s healthy too. You should try it before knocking it!

  28. 5 stars
    Followed the recipe step by step. It turned out delish! My family devoured it!

  29. User avatar zack.kris21 says:

    2 stars
    What is vegetable broth? Can I just use water? Asking for a friend.

  30. User avatar pete.lehner1 says:

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! The clams were so fresh! I’ll definitely make this again.

  31. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

    1 star
    I thought clams were sea creatures?? How can they be in pasta?

  32. User avatar blake.marvin says:

    4 stars
    I tried this recipe but I used shrimp instead of clams by accident! Still turned out tasty.

  33. 3 stars
    Yum! But do you really need parsley? Seems like a waste of time.

  34. 5 stars
    OMG this was the best! I added some crushed tomatoes and it came out amazing!

  35. User avatar matt.jacobs41 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know why anyone would put zucchini in pasta… Kinda weird tbh.

    1. 5 stars
      Zucchini adds such a nice texture and freshness! Give it a try, you might like it!

    2. User avatar vince.kuphal29 says:

      2 stars
      Zucchini in pasta? Sounds strange… I don’t trust recipes with weird veggies. No thanks.

  36. User avatar monet.labadie1956 says:

    3 stars
    It was okay, but I expected more flavor. Maybe I should’ve added more garlic or some chili flakes?

  37. User avatar mariella.heaney46 says:

    5 stars
    This dish was a total hit at my dinner party! Everyone loved it, especially the clams. Will definitely make again.

  38. User avatar deshawn.king8 says:

    2 stars
    Does anyone use canned clams? I thought fresh was better but it was too chewy for me.

    1. User avatar nolan.kshlerin79 says:

      4 stars
      I find canned clams to be super handy! They save time and the taste is pretty good for recipes like this. Fresh clams can be a hassle sometimes.

  39. 5 stars
    Took me ages to find clams at the store! But when I finally made it, it was worth it. So yummy!

  40. User avatar granville.shanahan39 says:

    1 star
    Spaghetti? More like yuckhetti! Gave it a try but clams ain’t my thing.

    1. User avatar Francine Kutch PhD says:

      4 stars
      I totally get you! Clams can be pretty gross. Maybe try it with just zucchini next time?

3.43 from 52 votes
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