Creamy Clam Sauce Delight
Indulge in the rich and flavorful Creamy Clam Sauce Delight, inspired by the famous Old Spaghetti Factory recipe. This luscious sauce, made with tender clams and a perfect blend of aromatic vegetables, offers a velvety texture that elevates any pasta dish. Whether you're enjoying a cozy dinner at home or impressing guests at a special gathering, this clam sauce is sure to become a beloved favorite. Perfectly seasoned with thyme and garlic, it's a delectable way to enjoy seafood. Serve it over your favorite noodles for a satisfying meal that's as easy to make as it is to savor.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
3 ounces (unsalted)
Garlic
2 cloves (finely chopped)
Onion
1/2 medium (finely chopped)
Celery
3 stalks (finely chopped)
Flour
3 tablespoons (all-purpose)
Canned Clams
2 (6 ounce) cans (chopped, drained and juice reserved)
Half-and-Half
1 quart (creamy)
Ground Thyme
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
2
Add the finely chopped garlic, onion, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, but not browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir to combine, cooking for an additional minute to create a roux.
4
In a separate saucepan, combine the reserved clam juice, half-and-half, ground thyme, and salt. Heat gently until just below boiling, stirring occasionally.
5
Gradually pour the heated clam juice mixture into the roux, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
6
Fold in the drained chopped clams, stirring gently to distribute them evenly throughout the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
7
Serve the creamy clam sauce over your preferred noodles, garnished with freshly cracked black pepper or parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Clam Sauce Delight?
Creamy Clam Sauce Delight is a rich and flavorful pasta sauce inspired by the Old Spaghetti Factory recipe, featuring tender clams and aromatic vegetables in a velvety base.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the famous clam sauce from the Old Spaghetti Factory.
How many servings does this clam sauce recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
What type of clams should I use?
The recipe calls for two 6-ounce cans of chopped clams.
Do I need to drain the clams?
Yes, you should drain the chopped clams, but make sure to reserve the juice for use in the sauce.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The sauce includes finely chopped garlic, onion, and celery.
How much butter is required for the recipe?
You will need 3 ounces of unsalted butter.
What kind of flour is used to thicken the sauce?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to create the roux.
What liquid provides the creamy base for the sauce?
A quart of half-and-half is used to create the creamy, velvety texture.
How should I prepare the garlic?
You should use 2 cloves of garlic and chop them finely.
What are the primary seasonings in this dish?
The sauce is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of ground dried thyme and salt to taste.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the garlic, onion, and celery for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender and fragrant.
Should I brown the vegetables?
No, you should sauté them until they are tender but not browned.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The first step is to melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
How do I create the roux for the sauce?
Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir for one minute.
When do I add the clam juice and half-and-half?
Combine the reserved clam juice, half-and-half, thyme, and salt in a separate pan and heat gently before adding it to the roux.
How do I avoid lumps when adding the liquid?
Gradually pour the heated liquid into the roux while whisking continuously.
How long does it take for the sauce to thicken?
The sauce typically thickens in about 3-5 minutes of cooking.
When are the chopped clams added?
The clams are folded in after the sauce has thickened.
How long should the clams cook in the sauce?
Cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes just to heat them through.
What should I serve this clam sauce over?
It is best served over your favorite noodles or pasta.
What garnishes are recommended?
You can garnish the dish with freshly cracked black pepper or parsley if desired.
Is this sauce considered easy to make?
Yes, the recipe describes it as a delectable meal that is easy to make.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Sauces.
What texture can I expect from this sauce?
The sauce has a rich, luscious, and velvety texture.
How much onion is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 of a medium onion, finely chopped.
How much celery is required?
You will need 3 stalks of celery, finely chopped.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding 1 teaspoon of salt or adjusting to taste.
What type of thyme is used?
The recipe specifies 1/4 teaspoon of dried ground thyme.
Is this dish suitable for special occasions?
Yes, its rich flavor makes it ideal for impressing guests at special gatherings.