Spaghetti with Clams: An Easy Italian Recipe Paired with Sicilian White Wine

Oct 10, 2026 By Agile, Vins et Spiritueux Pairings

To complete the experience, pair your spaghetti with Hèila by Alcesti, an organic white wine from Sicily. Its Mediterranean origins make it a natural choice to explore alongside the fresh, briny flavours of clams.

If you are looking for an easy spaghetti with clams recipe and a fresh Italian white wine to serve with seafood, this is a delicious place to start.

Easy Spaghetti with Clams Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) spaghetti
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) fresh clams
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 100 ml (about ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp) dry white wine
- 4–5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
- A pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Salt, as needed

The secret to great Italian seafood pasta? Fresh ingredients and a light touch. The clams provide the dish's natural briny flavour, while garlic, parsley and extra virgin olive oil create a fragrant, beautifully simple sauce.

How to Make Spaghetti with Clams
1. Prepare the clams
Rinse the clams thoroughly under cold running water. Discard any with broken shells or any that remain open and do not close when tapped. If necessary, follow your fishmonger's advice for purging the clams.

2. Gently sauté the garlic
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook gently for about one minute, taking care not to brown the garlic.

3. Cook the clams
Add the clams and white wine to the skillet. Cover and cook for several minutes, until the shells open. Remove opened clams as needed to avoid overcooking them.
Discard any clams that remain closed after cooking. Reserve the cooking liquid: it is the foundation of the sauce and brings all the seafood flavours together.

4. Cook the spaghetti al dente
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, removing it just before it reaches the desired texture.
Before draining, reserve a cup of pasta water.

5. Bring everything together
Transfer the spaghetti to the skillet with the clam cooking liquid. Toss over low heat for one to two minutes, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if necessary to help the sauce coat the pasta.
Add the clams, fresh parsley and a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Season with freshly ground black pepper and adjust the salt if needed.

6. Serve immediately
Divide the spaghetti among warm plates and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately with a chilled glass of Italian white wine.
This is Italian cooking at its best: no heavy cream, no complicated sauce, just fresh seafood and a few quality ingredients.

What Wine Goes with Spaghetti and Clams?
The best wine to serve with spaghetti alle vongole is generally a fresh, dry white wine that complements the delicate flavours of seafood without overpowering them.
When choosing a wine to pair with clams, look for three characteristics:
Freshness: Helps balance the richness of extra virgin olive oil.
Delicate aromatics: Complement the garlic, parsley and seafood without overwhelming the dish.
Mineral or saline notes: When present, they can echo the natural briny character of the clams.

Our Recommendation: Hèila by Alcesti, an Organic White Wine from Sicily

For this Italian seafood classic, discover Hèila by Alcesti, Sicilia DOC, an organic white wine from Sicily made with Grecanico and Catarratto, two traditional grape varieties associated with the island.

Sicily has a rich winemaking heritage shaped by Mediterranean sunshine, coastal breezes and a remarkable diversity of terroirs. Its white wines offer a range of styles that are often appreciated for their freshness and expression of fruit.

With spaghetti and clams, Hèila offers an opportunity to bring the flavours of the Mediterranean to your table: fresh seafood, fragrant herbs, quality olive oil and a chilled glass of Sicilian white wine.

Serving tip: Serve Hèila chilled at approximately 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its freshness and aromatic expression.

Hèila – Alcesti, Sicilia DOC

Organic Sicilian white wine
Grapes: Grecanico and Catarratto
SAQ product code: 15265052

Three Tips for the Perfect Seafood and Wine Pairing
1. Keep the sauce light. Traditional spaghetti alle vongole relies on olive oil and the natural juices of the clams. A heavy cream sauce can mask the delicate seafood flavours.
2. Use garlic and chilli in moderation. Garlic should add fragrance rather than dominate the dish. Red pepper flakes are optional; a small pinch is enough to add a little warmth.
3. Serve your wine at the right temperature. A white wine served too warm may seem less refreshing. Chill the bottle before serving and allow its aromas to emerge in the glass.

Bring a Taste of Italy to Your Table
You do not need to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare a memorable Italian meal. With fresh clams, good spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil and a handful of simple ingredients, you can recreate the spirit of an Italian seaside trattoria at home.

Complete the experience with a Sicilian white wine such as Hèila by Alcesti, and celebrate the pleasure of pairing regional Italian food with wine from the same Mediterranean tradition.

Buon appetito!

Discover Hèila by Alcesti at the SAQ
Ready to explore this organic white wine from Sicily with your next seafood dinner?
Look for Hèila by Alcesti, Sicilia DOC, using SAQ product code 15265052.
Website SAQ. com : https://www.saq.com/en/15265052