High Protein Pasta Vongole

Elevate your weeknight pasta game with this High Protein Pasta Vongole, a deliciously light yet satisfying twist on the classic Italian dish. Featuring nutrient-rich chickpea or lentil pasta, this recipe packs a protein punch while maintaining all the briny, garlicky goodness of traditional vongole. Fresh clams simmered in a fragrant white wine and garlic sauce are perfectly complemented by a hint of crushed red pepper flakes and bright bursts of lemon zest and parsley. Ready in just 35 minutes, this wholesome, protein-packed pasta dish is ideal for quick, healthy dinners that don’t sacrifice flavor. Serve it with a drizzle of olive oil for an elegant, restaurant-quality finish.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces high-protein pasta (such as chickpea or lentil pasta)
• 2 pounds fresh clams
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 units garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.25 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 unit lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and scrub the clams under cold water to remove any sand or grit, discarding any that remain open.

Step 2

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the high-protein pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté until it is fragrant and golden, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Add the clams to the skillet, along with the dry white wine and crushed red pepper flakes. Cover the skillet and let the clams steam until they open, about 5-7 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low, and add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it well with the clams and adding a bit of reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.

Step 6

Stir in the chopped parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Step 7

Serve the pasta vongole immediately, garnishing with additional parsley and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1649.4 grams (1649.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3035

Total Fat 67.30g	86%
Saturated Fat 9.70g	49%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 608mg	203%
Sodium 2954mg	128%
Total Carbohydrate 270.80g	98%
Dietary Fiber 31.60g	113%
Total Sugars 11.40g
Protein 302.90g	606%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1198mg	92%
Iron 273mg	1517%
Potassium 8944mg	190%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 20.9%

Protein: 41.8%

Carbs: 37.3%