Excellent Red Clam Sauce Recipe

Tired of watery, disappointing red clam sauce? This recipe delivers a rich, flavorful sauce that's perfectly balanced – not too thin, not too thick. We unlock the secret to restaurant-quality clam sauce with San Marzano tomatoes (or Muir Glen Organic as a fantastic substitute!), fragrant herbs, and perfectly cooked clams. Customize the dried spices to your taste, but our blend is a delicious starting point. Enjoy this easy-to-follow recipe, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion! Easily adaptable to fresh clams for an even chunkier texture.

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 55 mins
Calories 187.3 kcal
Protein 25g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Excellent Red Clam Sauce 45

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Excellent Red Clam Sauce

  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • Diced Tomatoes In Tomato Puree
  • 1 (10 ounce) can chopped clams
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Dried Basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Excellent Red Clam Sauce? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Excellent Red Clam Sauce

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add 1 medium onion, finely chopped, and 2 cloves garlic, minced. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  3. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add one (28 ounce) can of crushed San Marzano tomatoes (or Muir Glen Organic), 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
  5. Stir well to combine.
  6. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  7. Add one (10 ounce) can of chopped clams, partially drained, and stir well. Heat through for about 2-3 minutes.
  8. While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta according to package directions. Turn off the sauce about 5 minutes before the pasta is done.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

26 g

Sugar

3g

Fat

5g

Carbs

6g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Lactose Weeknight 60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion Sauces Main Dish Condiments Etc Seafood Easy European Dinner Party Italian Dietary Low Cholesterol Low Saturated Fat Low Calorie Low Carb Inexpensive Savory Sauces Egg Free Healthy 2 Free Of Something Low In Something Shellfish Clams Presentation Served Hot From Scratch