This crispy pancetta pasta with canned clams tastes restaurant-worthy and can be ready in under 30 minutes! Tossed with sweet clams (and a smidgen of anchovy), this pasta relies on finely minced pancetta for a savory crunch in every bite.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to the package's directions or until al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Meanwhile, place a large pan over medium heat and fry the minced pancetta until crispy, 3-5 minutes. Transfer it to a plate lined with a paper towel. Leave any remaining grease from the pancetta in the pan for flavor!
Turn off the heat to cool the pan down slightly before adding the olive oil and butter to it (the butter should melt quickly). Turn the heat back on, on low. Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, until it barely turns golden, about 1 minute. Add the red pepper flakes, and give them a quick stir for 10 seconds.
Pour in the wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to partly reduce and cook off some of the alcohol. Add the anchovies and cook for 30 seconds, breaking them up in the pan.
Add the clams with their liquid, and raise the heat so they simmer gently, 1 minute. Turn off the heat.
Toss the clam mixture with the linguine, then add in the fresh parsley and some of the pancetta, reserving some extra for garnish. Give everything a final toss. Serve and top with additional parsley. Spoon some sauce from the pan over the pasta, along with some pasta water, if needed. Enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: Use a sharp knife or mezzaluna to mince the pancetta.Note 2: Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are good options.General Notes:
Add only a little pasta water to keep the pasta from becoming watery. If you add too much, let the pasta sit for a few minutes to help absorb some of it. You can also spoon out some of the liquid.
Alternatively, reserve more pasta water than you think you may need in case you prefer more liquid.
Add salt if you feel it needs some. This recipe doesn't call for any (except for the pasta water) because of the pancetta and clams' inherent saltiness.