Half-Shell Pasta with Clams

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-25 · Updated 2026-03-25

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A creamy pasta dish featuring tender clams in a garlic-herb sauce, served in half-shells for a dramatic presentation. This Italian one-pot recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs clams, pasta, and white wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb (16 oz) clams
8 oz pasta
1/2 cup white wine
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp butter
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 lemon

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Instructions

Step 1: Steam 1 lb clams in a large pot with 1/2 cup white wine, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley until shells open (about 5 minutes). Remove clams, reserving liquid.
Step 2: Cook 8 oz pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 3: In a skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup reserved clam liquid, 1/2 cup pasta water, and 1/2 a lemon's juice. Simmer until sauce thickens. Toss with pasta and clams. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.