Spicy clam and kale linguine is a perfect dish for anyone who loves seafood with a twist. This recipe combines the briny goodness of fresh clams with the vibrant, earthy taste of kale, all tossed with linguine in a spicy, garlicky sauce. The dish is both light and hearty, with the perfect balance of flavors and textures that will have you coming back for more.
The key to this dish is the fresh clams, which add a natural sweetness and briny depth to the pasta. When they’re cooked in white wine and garlic, they open up and release their delicious juices, which become the base for the sauce. The addition of kale brings in a healthy, earthy element that complements the clams perfectly, providing both a nice contrast in texture and a boost of nutrients.
What sets this dish apart is the spice. Red pepper flakes add a kick of heat, making the dish exciting without overwhelming the flavors of the clams or the kale. The spiciness pairs well with the richness of the olive oil and the slight bitterness of the kale, creating a sauce that’s complex and satisfying. A splash of white wine and a squeeze of lemon brightens the entire dish, balancing out the richness and adding a touch of acidity.
Linguine, with its slightly thicker texture than spaghetti, is the ideal pasta for this dish, as it holds the sauce well and complements the clams. The noodles soak up the savory sauce, allowing each bite to be packed with flavor. Topped with a little grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, the dish is elevated even further, giving it an extra layer of richness.
Spicy clam and kale linguine is a wonderful way to enjoy seafood in a pasta dish that’s both fresh and flavorful. It’s the perfect combination of spicy, savory, and slightly bitter elements, all brought together with the satisfying bite of linguine. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just craving something delicious, this dish is sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 400 grams linguine dried
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 500 grams clams cleaned and scrubbed
- 4 cups kale chopped
- 1/2 cup white wine dry
- 1/2 cup pasta water reserved
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the clams to the pan and pour in the white wine. Cover and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the clams have opened.
- Stir in the chopped kale, cover again and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the kale is wilted.
- Add the cooked linguine to the pan along with the reserved pasta water. Toss to combine everything and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Nutrition
This was so delicious! I loved all the flavors, especially the garlic and clams. Definitely making it again!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! The garlic really does bring out the best flavors in this dish. Can’t wait to try it myself!
Too spicy for my taste! I think I put too much red pepper flakes. Maybe just gonna stick with plain pasta next time. 😅
Not sure what went wrong, but my clams didn’t open at all. Was I supposed to clean them better? 🙁
So quick and easy! I added some shrimp just for extra protein. Yum!
Too spicy for me! I would cut down on the red pepper flakes next time.
Wow, this was amazing! The spice was just right for me. 5 stars!
Wait, do you really eat the clam shells? Confused here.
Took too long, I just wanted something quick. I think I’ll stick to my usual spaghetti.
Linguine cooked perfectly! I added shrimp instead of clams, turned out grate! 😂
I don’t really like clams, so I substituted shrimp. Still turned out pretty good!
Linguine? I thought this was spaghetti. Either way, still good! 4 stars.
Easiest clam dish I’ve ever made! I didn’t have white wine, so I used red. Was still pretty good! 😅
Using red wine instead of white? That’s so brave! Maybe I should try that too. Glad it turned out good for you! 👍
Clams are kinda gross. I think I’m gonna skip this one. 1 star.
I think you’re missing out! Clams are delish if cooked right! Just try it, you might like it. Don’t knock it ’til you try it! 😄
I totally get you! Clams can be super slimy. Not for everyone. But have you tried just the pasta with the garlic and kale? That part’s yummy! 😊
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The flavors come together so well. My family loved it! ✅
Was skeptical about kale in pasta, but it actually worked! Surprised me.
Too much garlic! Next time I will use less. 3 stars.
This was absolutely delicious! The clams were fresh and the heat from the red pepper flakes was just right.
This is a 100% no for me. Why would anyone eat clams? 🤢
Clams are actually super healthy! You should give them a try. 🤷♂️
Clams? No thanks! I’m not a fan of seafood. But my friend loved it!
Totally get you! Seafood ain’t for everyone. But hey, more clams for your friend, right?
Y’all, this is fire!! 🔥 The garlic flavor with clams is divine. My friends were impressed! Thanks for sharing!
I did this with shrimp instead of clams! Still tasted great!
I’m allergic to shellfish, can I make this with chicken instead? What do you think?
Is 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes really enough? I like it spicy!
easy and tasty recipe! I love linguine. I’m definitely making this again.
Yumm! My family loved it! Will definitely make again. 😊
Kale is gross. Changed it to spinach, still okay, but not my favorite meal.
Not sure about the clams… they felt gritty. Maybe I didn’t clean them well enough? Will try again tho.
Clams can be tricky! Make sure to soak them in water before cooking to help with the grit. Don’t give up!
Not bad, but I used frozen clams and they didn’t taste fresh. Just okay. 3 stars.
I get what you mean! Frozen clams can be hit or miss. I always go for fresh when I can, tastes way better! 4 stars for the effort though!
Linguine is pasta? I thought it was a type of fish. Cooks really fast tho.
I love linguine, but what’s with the clams? Can’t we just use shrimp instead? 🤔
Absolutely delicious! The combination of clams and kale is genius. Will make again!
This was so quick to make! My kids loved it and ate all the kale! 😍
Kale? Really? My kids would never eat that! You must be lucky! 🤔
That’s awesome! I’m glad your kids enjoyed it! Kale is a superfood after all! 😄
too many steps and I’m confused about how to tell if clams are really cleaned? 🤔
I followed the recipe but it turned out too salty for me. Maybe less salt next time?
Easy to make but I didn’t like the taste. Quite bland without some lemon. Disappointed.
Ugh, I thought it was gonna be good but bland recipes are the worst. What’s the point? 😒
I found it tasty! Maybe you need more seasoning? I love adding some lemon juice too.
Yum! I added shrimp instead of clams and it turned out great! Spicy and delicious. 🍝🔥
Not sure about clams and kale together. It seems weird. Only giving 2 stars.
I actually love this combo! Clams and kale are both nutritious. Give it another try!
I don’t eat clams, so I subbed with shrimp and it turned out great. Not spicy enough though!
That’s a clever substitution! Shrimp sounds yummy, but maybe try adding more red pepper flakes next time for extra heat?
Eww, shrimp? That’s not even close to clams! You should’ve just tried the recipe as it is. Better luck next time.
Where’s the cheese in this? Italian food needs cheese! No cheese, no eat!!
Not my fave. Too spicy for my kids, and I thought the kale was weird with the pasta. Just my opinion! 😬
Too much kale for me, felt like I was eating a salad! Never making again.
I’m not sure about mixing clams and kale. It feels weird. But I tried it and it wasn’t bad after all.
Is this dish healthy?? Kale is green so it must be good for ya, right? Haha.
Where’s all the spiciness? I expected more kick from the red pepper flakes. Kinda disappointing.
Spicy! I love it. But yeah, if you don’t like spice, watch out!
I’m not a fan of spicy food so I guess I’ll pass on this one. But looks good for spice lovers!
Wait, can I use canned clams? I mean, I don’t live near an ocean.
Spicy clam what?? Never heard of that! Sounds fancy but I ain’t got the time! 🤷♂️
I love the spice level! I feel like a master chef now. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds amazing! I’m definitely trying it this weekend! 🍝🌶️
Is it really the right combination? I can’t see how clams and kale go together. Just tried it and meh, not great.
This was amazing! Loved the combination of flavors. A bit spicy but just right.
Spicy + clams = love! My new favorite pasta dish. Can’t wait to make it again! 😍
This was AMAZING!! I seriously can’t get over how good it was. I used fresh clams from the sea! 🍽️
Fresh clams sound great! I usually just use canned ones. Gonna try your way next time! 😍
Too spicy for my taste, but I guess some people like it hot. 🤷♂️
I totally understand! I made this last week and it was a bit too much for me too. Maybe next time I’ll use less pepper flakes! 🌶️
I dunno, I didn’t like this much. The kale was too bitter for me. Maybe more garlic would help?
Absolutely delicious! The clams and kale mix so well together. Will make again!
I made this last night and it was a hit at the dinner table! The flavors are just amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Not sure about clams and kale together…sound weird. I think I’ll just stick to my regular pasta.
Super easy, tried it last night. Did I need to cook the pasta first? I just tossed everything together. It worked out!
Wow! Can’t believe how good this was! Even my kids liked it!
YUM!!! Best clam dish ever! Will make again fo sure. Highly recommend.
Easy to make but I think I overcooked the clams. They were chewy. Whoops!
This was amazing! The clams were so flavorful, and the kale added a nice touch. Will definitely make it again!
Did not like this at all, no flavor. My kids wouldn’t eat it.
My kids said it was gross, but I loved it! Kids don’t have taste, do they?
Kids can be picky! I love that you enjoyed it. It does have a unique flavor!
5 stars for the recipe, but I added cheese. Can’t go wrong with cheese! 🧀
Easy to make, but my clams didn’t open. Sigh. What did I do wrong? Used frozen ones…
I dunno, I think the clams just didn’t wanna open up. Try checking them before cooking next time!
Maybe the frozen clams were already dead? Fresh is best for this dish. Don’t give up!
This was a bit boring… I expected more flavors. Needs something extra.
This was a disaster! My clams didn’t open and I ended up with a sticky mess. Waste of time!
Absolutely loved this recipe! The clams were so tender and the kale added a nice texture. Will make again for sure!
I’m glad you loved it! The combo of clams and kale is so unique. I’m def trying this myself! Thx for sharing!
I don’t eat clams. This recipe’s a no-go for me. Why not just use something else instead of shellfish? 🤔
So good, my kids even ate it! They’re usually picky eaters. Thanks!
Not my fave… the kale was kinda weird in this. Prefer it in smoothies.
I totally get you! Kale can be hit or miss. I think it’s better in a smoothie too! Maybe try adding more garlic next time?
Not bad, but I didn’t have clam so I used chicken. Is that ok? Anyway, mine turned out kinda bland. 🤷♂️
Pretty good! I added some cheese on top for extra taste and that was a great move! 🧀👍
Kale? Really?? I thought this was a clam recipe. Not doing this again.
Y’all, I gotta say, this is the best pasta recipe I’ve ever tried!! So much flavor! Definitely making it again! ❤️
Um, do I have to wash the clams before cooking? I just threw them in. Is that okay?
You should really wash the clams beforehand. They can have sand and grit inside which is not tasty. Maybe give them a rinse next time!
Nah, it’s fine! I never wash ’em and they taste great. Just eat it quick before it gets chewy! 😋