Easy Clam Pasta Sauce

This was a quick alternative to just gnocchi and sauce. I found a can of clams in the back of the pantry and made my own clam sauce. Although I prepared it for gnocchi, it could easily be made for linguine or fettuccine.

Easy Clam Sauce
ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 2 tsp Olive oil 
• 1 Tbsp Italian herbs 
• 2 tsp Red pepper flakes 
• 1 10oz. can whole baby clams, drained and chopped with juice set aside
• 2 Tbsp Fresh chopped parsley 
• Fresh lemon juice 
• 2-3 Tbsp Light sour cream
• Pasta of choice
• 1-2 c pasta water
• salt and pepper as needed

directions

1. Prepare pasta according to their package directions until just barely al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1-2 c of the water. 
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a 10 inch or 12 inch skillet over medium heat. When hot, add olive oil and add minced garlic. Saute for about a minute and add clam juice, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Turn up the heat and let the juice simmer. 
3. When the clam juice is reduced by half, add chopped clams and sour cream. If the sauce is too thick add reserved pasta water as needed. Add drained pasta and let pasta simmer gently in sauce a couple minutes until desired doneness. 
4. Sprinkle generously with parsley. Finish with the juice of 1 small to medium lemon. Stir everything all together. Season to taste.