Capellini vongole is a classic Italian seafood pasta dish that is simple to make yet bursting with flavor. Originating from the coastal regions of Italy, this dish features tender capellini pasta (also known as angel hair pasta) tossed with fresh clams, a flavorful white wine sauce, garlic, and aromatic herbs. The briny sweetness of the clams, the delicate texture of the pasta, and the savory sauce come together to create a harmonious and satisfying meal.
In this comprehensive guide, we bring you not one, but three delightful variations of capellini vongole to tantalize your taste buds. The first recipe introduces you to the traditional method of preparing capellini vongole, using fresh clams and a classic white wine sauce. The second recipe adds a touch of spiciness with the inclusion of red pepper flakes, while the third recipe incorporates the vibrant flavors of cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for a more colorful and aromatic dish.
With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, this guide ensures that you can recreate the authentic flavors of capellini vongole in the comfort of your own kitchen. Whether you prefer the classic version or are looking for something with a little more spice or freshness, these recipes have got you covered. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to embark on a delicious culinary journey with capellini vongole.
CAPELLINI WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt and a splash of oil to the pot.
- Meanwhile, heat the 1/2 cup of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan. Add the garlic to the oil and cook over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, thyme, 2 teaspoons salt, the pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften but don't break up.
- While the tomatoes are cooking, add the capellini to the pot of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water.
- Place the pasta in a large serving bowl, add the tomatoes and Parmesan and toss well. Add some of the pasta water if the pasta seems too dry. Serve large bowls of pasta with extra basil sprinkled on top and a big bowl of extra Parmesan on the side.
SPAGHETTI VONGOLE
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt (at least 2 tablespoons) and the pasta and stir to separate. Cook until 3 minutes short of al dente (according to package directions), then drain.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the pepper flakes and crushed tomatoes, season with salt and cook until the tomatoes are slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil for 1 minute. Add the clams and cover for 2 to 3 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring, until the clams open. Discard unopened clams.
- Add the pasta to the skillet along with the parsley, cheese and butter. Cook, tossing and stirring and drizzling with olive oil, until the pasta is cooked through and the sauce is silky and thickened. Serve drizzled with oil and sprinkled with cheese and parsley.
LEMON CAPELLINI
Steps:
- Add 2 tablespoons of salt to a large pot of boiling water. Add the capellini and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until just al dente.
- Meanwhile, heat a large (12-inch) saute pan, add the butter, and heat until the butter is melted. Add the zest and juice of the 2 lemons. Add 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and swirl the pan to combine.
- As soon as the pasta is cooked, lift the pasta out of the water with tongs, allowing most but not all of the water to drain back into the pot, and add all the pasta to the sauce. Cook for one minute, adding pasta water to the sauce with a ladle just enough to keep the pasta moist.
- Transfer the pasta to a serving platter or individual plates. Garnish with more lemon zest, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and squeeze a little lemon juice on top. Serve hot.
PASTA ALLE VONGOLE
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 1 large or 2 small servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large saute pan with a tight-fitting lid over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and pepper flakes and saute until fragrant. Don't let the garlic brown. Add the white wine and clams, increase the heat to high and cover the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all of the clams have opened, about 8 minutes. As the clams open, transfer them to a large bowl. When all of the clams are removed, reduce the heat to medium low, add the oregano and swirl in the butter. Season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to the package direction. Using tongs, transfer the linguine to the saute pan with the clam juice and toss to coat. Turn off the heat and add the clams and any juices that have collected in the bowl. Using tongs, turn the linguine to coat it with the sauce. Top with parsley. Serve immediately.
CAPELLINI VONGOLA
Steps:
- Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil with lots of salt. Boil pasta until al dente. Be careful it will quickly over cook. At the same time finely mince the garlic and saute in a large skillet with a couple of tablespoons of the butter. Bring the skillet to a high heat and add the clams. Saute for a bit and add white wine cover and steam until clams open. When clams open, add clam juice and choped clams and salt and pepper. Bring to gentle simmer and stir in whole butter. Pour over hot angel hair or add angel hair to broth and toss. Garnish with parsley and serve with fresh bread.
CAPELLINI AL FORNO
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h18m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch diameter nonstick spring form pan. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Add 4 tablespoons butter, 1 cup Parmesan, eggs, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss well until coated.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup breadcrumbs in the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread 1/3 of the seasoned pasta on top. Arrange half of the prosciutto in a single layer on top. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella on top. Add 1/3 of the pasta and push down lightly to form an even layer. Repeat the layers with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, the remaining pasta, prosciutto, and mozzarella. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and Parmesan together. Sprinkle over the layers and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until light golden on top, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove the sides of the pan and cut the pasta into wedges. Serve with warm marinara sauce.
SPAGHETTI ALLE VONGOLE
Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen
Categories Pasta Valentine's Day Father's Day New Year's Eve Lunch Seafood Clam Mussel Summer Anniversary Christmas Eve Potluck Bon Appétit Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield serves 2
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a 5 quart pot. Season lightly with salt; add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until about 2 minutes before tender. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, swirling pan often, until just golden. Add red pepper flakes and continue cooking 15 more seconds. Add wine, then clams; increase heat to high. Cover skillet and cook until clams open and release their juices, 3-6 minutes, depending on size of clams. As clams open, use tongs to transfer them to a bowl.
- Add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to skillet; bring to a boil. Add pasta to pan. Cook over high heat, tossing constantly, until pasta is al dente and has soaked up some of the sauce from the pan. Add clams and any juices from bowl to pan, along with parsley, and toss to combine. (Add more pasta water if sauce seems dry.) Transfer pasta to warm bowls and drizzle with remaining oil.
Tips:
- Soak the clams: Soaking the clams in cold, salted water for at least 30 minutes helps to remove any sand or grit.
- Use fresh, high-quality clams: The fresher the clams, the better the dish will taste. Look for clams that are tightly closed and have no cracks or chips in the shells.
- Cook the clams until they open: Clams should be cooked until they open, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Overcooking the clams will make them tough and chewy.
- Use a good quality white wine: The white wine used in the recipe should be of good quality, as it will add flavor to the dish. A dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, is a good choice.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the clams, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the clams from cooking evenly.
Conclusion:
Capellini vongole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. By following the tips above, you can make sure that your capellini vongole turns out perfect every time.
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