This Instant Pot clam pasta with white clam sauce is a recipe that I have been making for more than 20 years. I modified this recipe of Clams Linguine for use in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker not that long ago. I keep making it over and over again because it is my go to when I really don’t feel like cooking and cleaning up after a long day. I mean, after all, this thing has a very fast cook time.
This is an easy version of this popular Italian dish. I love the flavors of clam juice, garlic, and spices with the al dente pasta. Fantastic flavors and textures in such a simple dish.
Linguine and clams also make great leftovers. It is even better the next day and makes a great lunch.
Linguine with White Clam Sauce
I love white clam sauce on pasta. I prefer it over red sauce. I think it is lighter and more flavorful.
This is the best white clam sauce recipe that uses canned clams. Adding littleneck clams is even better but I always have canned clams around.
In this recipe, I am using canned clams.I feel they’re delicious even though I do like fresh clams better. Canned clams I always have on hand and they are inexpensive.
White Clam Sauce Ingredients
- Linguine Pasta
- Chopped Clams
- Minced Garlic
- Chicken Broth
- White Wine (Optional)
- Italian Seasoning
- Chopped Parsley
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Parmesan Cheese
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make White Clam Sauce
This is how I went about making this clam sauce. You can put it over any pasta you like although my favorite is linguine. This pasta with clam sauce also goes well over spaghetti if you do not have linguine.
The first thing I do is put the Instant Pot in Saute Mode. Make sure it is on the normal setting. When the Instant Pot says “HOT” you are ready to go.
Put the olive oil in the pressure cooker and let it get hot for a moment. Add the garlic and saute it until it is fragrant (about 2 minutes).
If you are going to use the optional white in this dish add 1/4 cup to the pot. and let it cook down for a minute.
Then add in your canned clams. No need to drain the clams. Then add in the Italian seasoning and other spices.
Add in the chicken broth. I use the Organic Better than Bullion and mix it with water but standard chicken broth is just fine. Stir to combine the broth and the spices.
Break pasta in half and add the pasta on top in a crisscrossed pattern. Push pasta down carefully so it is covered in pasta water liquid. DO NOT STIR.
Put the lid on the Instant Pot and put the valve in the SEAL Position. Press Pressure cook on the Instant Pot and set to HIGH PRESSURE. Set the Cook time at 5 Minutes. Let the pressure cooker pressurize and cook the white clam sauce.
When the cooking time is completed let the pressure do a NATURAL RELEASE for 5 Minutes and then manually quick release the rest of the pressure.
Open the Instant Pot and stir everything. It is normal for it to be a little thin. Just let it sit for about another 5 minutes after stirring. It will thicken up.
Then add the parmesan cheese and stir. Remove the Pasta and Clam Sauce from the Instant Pot and Enjoy.
What to Serve with Linguine Pasta with White Clam Sauce?
I like things like salad with pasta. I just like to have different flavors and textures. The crunch of the salad and the garlic flavored pasta is great.
I have also made this Lemon Asparagus salad of mine and it goes great with pasta dishes. If you go with the salad option it can be as simple as just a green salad with a champagne vinegarette. I love the combination of flavors of this dish with some wine or champagne.
I find that any dry champagne works. Sometimes I just buy a split of champagne to keep around for dishes like this one.
This dish is simple to make but has a flavor I crave often. This one is in my regular rotation. Leftover are great too.
Other Recipes You Will Enjoy.
Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers
Instant Pot Steamed Mussels in Garlic Butter
Instant Pot Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Lemon Asparagus Salad
Linguine with White Clam Sauce (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 2 cans Chopped Clams
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 3/4 Cups Chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red chili pepper
- 2 to 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 oz. Linguine
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Turn on sauté on Instant Pot to normal setting. When hot. Add olive oil to Instant Pot and sauté garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Then add two cans of chopped clams, chicken broth spices and mix. Add pasta on top of sauce broken in half and crisscrossed. Do not stir. Push down pasta to cover and liquid.
- Secure lid on top of instant pot and turn valve to seal position. Hit Cancel on Instant Pot. Then hit manual pressure and set to high pressure and timer to five minutes. When cooking time is done do a natural pressure release for five minutes then a quick pressure release.Remove lid from Instant Pot and pasta will be a little bit liquidy. Stir and wait a few minutes and then add Parmesan cheese and stir again and sauce will thicken up. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Katherine
Do you add all the liquid from the canned clams?
admin
Yes you absolutely do. Don’t forget chicken broth too. I like the better than bouillon organic chicken base because you can just take a teaspoon of the paste and drop it right in there and it’s the same as a cup of chicken broth
Katherine
Matty — I have to make this weekly because my husband loves it so much. I make it with chicken broth — the better than bouillon because it is always in my fridge or I use bottled clam juice. I also add extra canned clams. This version of clams with linguine is also reasonable calorie wise.
Becki
Really good stuff!beckiwest68@ gmail.com
Matt
I am really glad that you enjoyed it.
Matty.
Matt
let me know what you think.
Pat
Hi Matt, I found this recipe on a RV IP spot on Facebook. I’m so happy to have found it. I love linguini with white clam sauce but never thought of making it in the instant pot. Thanks for sharing a good and easy meal idea. I do add an extra can of clams and leave out the red pepper because I am a wuss but other than that I follow your recipe. Keep up the good work!
Matt
Thanks. Glad you enjoy it 🙂
Matt
I’m glad you like it :-). It’s one of my favorites from the past so I modified it to the instant pot. I’ve been meaning to retake the pictures and remake the dish again. That was one of the first things that came up with when I started this blog and didn’t have a good camera. I’m super glad you’re enjoying it and thanks for leaving a comment.
Holly
What kind of parm can or fresh?
Matt
I always use fresh.
Matty.
Dee Ramon
Added a bit more garlic and really enjoyed it!!!
Matt
I am so glad that you enjoyed it. I had been making this over 20 years the conventional way. Then I modded it for the Instant Pot. It is a really good quick meal.
Thanks for the complement
Matty
Patti Cobbs
Have you ever made your Linguine w/white clam sauce just with clam juice as your liquid. I have never used broth in my linguine, although, I have never tried making it in the pressure cooker. I’m just to eliminate 1 pot & 1 colander and do everything in the one pot.
Matt
I have done that yes.
Jen
Thanks for this recipe. Haven’t had this in YEARS, it was always a “staple meal” in our house. Reminds me of my childhood 😊
Matt
Me too. I totally get it. I have been eating this since I was a kid as well. GLad you enjoyed.
Matty
Debbie
Complete Yum…but I knew by the picture, it would be exactly that!!!
It did not disappoint & tasted 10 x’s better than it even looks. The ease & quickness in putting this together, an added plus!
I modified the cook time ( & pressure release) reducing it by half because I used a low-carb pasta instead of the linguine (which takes less time to cook) and it came out perfect.
It is truly one of my all-time favorite dishes, so look forward using a linguine pasta as well.
Thx Matt for sharing your talents✨
Matt
So glad that you enjoyed the dish. Thanks for the great complement.
Matty.
Patty
Do you use whole or chopped canned clams?
Matt
Canned. Says that in the recipe.
Patty
But I can get whole or chopped in a can. Should have been more specific. Sorry
Matt
Once again read the recipe card. It clearly says two cans of chopped clams.
Terra
I apologize if this is a dumb question. New to Instapot. If I needed to make this for 5 to 7 servings, how do I adjust this? I know I’m going to need 1 1/2-2 lbs of pasta, but how does the liquid and time change to accommodate that, please? Does it adjust like any other recipe? Thank you for your help, in advance.
Matt
Use the amount of ingredients that you need. Also, use the amount of liquid to lets say double the recipe. Cooking time and natural pressure release will be the same time even though it is more food. It will take longer to come to pressure though. I hope that helps.
Doc
It was absolutely fantastic!!! The only thing I added was some chopped mushrooms. I went with the larger portion so added one more chopped clams and I can of whole clams. I was actually smiling while I ate it. Great recipe and simple too. Thanks
Matt
Glad you enjoyed it thanks for the nice review.
Matty
Cindy
I made this recipe but tweaked it a little bit to my taste. I added an extra can of clams (and added all juices from all 3 cans of clams). Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, juice from one lemon and instead of using 1 3/4 cups of chicken broth I added 3/4 cup of white wine and 1 cup of chicken broth. Also increased the Italian seasoning to 2 TBSP. The recipe I’m sure would have been delish as is, but I wanted to kick up the flavors. Thank you for a good basic recipe that is so super simple you will never go back to cooking on a stovetop! Literally took me less than 15 minutes to make from prep to finished product. My family LOVED it!
Matt
That’s fine. There are no rules and cooking you make things according to what you like. I’m glad that you loved it.
Matty
Alice
Can you specify the size of the cans of clams? Are these the smaller 6.5oz cans or the larger 15oz cans?
Matt
I used the cans that look like cans of tuna
Carol
This was delicious and so easy in the instant pot. Will definitely keep clams on hand.
I substituted an 8 ounce bottle of clam juice for 1 cup of the broth. Followed the recipe exactly and it was terrific. Now I have to check out your other recipes.😋
Matt
Glad you enjoyed it. This was one of the recipes I have been making for years that I modded to the instant pot. I think it is a delicious fast dinner.
Carole L Cheatam
This recipe was great! I did not use the broth since I had clam juice in the fridge from another recipe, and I used Angel Hair pasta. I also had a box of frozen mussels, so I put them in the instapot, onthe steam setting for two minutes. The butter sauce from the mussels prevented it from drying out and I had a perfect dish for dinner!
Matt
That sounds great. Good job. I am glad that you enjoyed the recipe. I like your modifications too. Thanks for the nice comment.
Ione C
Tonight I tried this recipe! The only extra thing I did was to add mushrooms. This turned out so good and I was happy that it was so quick. I know that I will be making this again and again.
Matt
Great to hear that you enjoyed it. I like that you put your own spin on it.
Matty.