This Budget Friendly Quick Clam Pasta is a great weeknight dinner.  It is so inexpensive, but also tasty. 

Jump To Recipe

This budget friendly clam pasta is so tasty and quick to make.  Start by filling a large saucepan with water.  Then add two tbsp. of salt.  Now let’s heat up our large skillet and melt 2 tbsp. of butter. I really like this recipe for an easy week night dinner.  It will also keep your grocery budget in line. 

Let’s prepare our garlic.   Start by peeling it then press it and chop it.  We need 2 cloves of garlic.  Let the garlic cook for 30 seconds to release the flavor but don’t let it get brown and crunchy.

When the pasta water is boiling add a half pound of spaghetti.  You can use linguini to if you prefer.

Now I add 1 cup of beer.  You can use a dry white wine if you prefer.  I am just using what I have on hand.  Now let that boil and reduce by half.  This process removes the alcohol but retains the flavor.

Stir the pasta down into the water and make sure it is staying separated.  Then cook the pasta to al dente.

This recipe is great because it only takes a few inexpensive ingredients.  I keep the ingredients in the cupboard and can decide at the last minute to make this recipe.

Now take three 6.5 oz. cans of clams.  Strain off the juice and save the clams for later.  Continue to simmer the juices.

I like to add about 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper.  Then add 1/2 tsp. of salt. Simmer the juices for about 10 minutes now.  When the pasta has cooked to al dente add it to the sauce.  I always save a little of the pasta water in case I need to thicken the sauce later.  I let my pasta cook in the sauce and that will also cause it to thicken. Now add the clams from the three cans.  This meal is so easy! 

As the clams heat up I take ½ of a lemon and squeeze the juice over the top of the clams. I continue to let that heat up.  After 10 minutes it is time to plate it. I like to use a big bowl and make sure to add some of those juices.

Last we top our quick and easy pasta with shredded parmesan cheese.  I like to add a piece of basil as a finishing touch to this budget friendly quick and easy clam pasta dinner.

Lets Eat!

RECIPE

Budget Friendly Quick and Easy Clam Pasta

½ lb. spaghetti or linguini
2 tbsp. butter
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup of beer or dry white wine
Three 6.5 oz. cans of clams
½ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper
½ lemon fresh juice
½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Boil the pasta in salted water. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in beer or wine and boil to remove the alcohol and reduce by half. Drain the clam juice into the skillet saving the clams for later. Continue to boil. Add the salt and pepper. Next add the al dente pasta and clams. Squeeze the lemon juice over the mixture in the skillet. Heat for five minutes allowing the pasta to thicken the sauce. Serve in bowls topped with cheese.