Linguini with White Clam Sauce

• 1 pound linguine
• ½ cup butter
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic cloves — smashed & minced
• 3 cans chopped clams — 6½ oz each; drained, liquid reserved
• 1 teaspoon oregano — dried
• 1 tablespoon basil — fresh, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes — crushed
• ½ cup parsley — fresh, finely chopped, divided
• As needed Salt (optional) — to taste
• As needed Black pepper (optional) — to taste

Garnish

• As needed parmesan — freshly grated
• As needed lemon — wedges

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook linguine for 1 minute less than package directions, until just shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain in a colander without rinsing.16 oz linguine, salt
2. Build the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, melt butter and olive oil together in a large, deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, 1–2 minutes until fragrant and just beginning to turn golden. Do not let the garlic brown.½ cup butter, ¼ cup olive oil, 4 garlic cloves
3. Add Clam Juice and Seasonings: Set a fine-mesh strainer over a measuring cup. Drain all 3 cans of clams, reserving the clams and liquid separately. Add ½ cup reserved clam liquid to the skillet. Stir in oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and ¼ cup parsley. Increase heat to medium and simmer gently 3–5 minutes, until hot and slightly reduced.½ cup reserved clam liquid, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tbsp basil, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, ¼ cup parsley
4. Finish the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add drained clams and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds, just until they begin to warm. Do not boil.3 cans clams
5. Toss and Serve: Add drained linguine and ¼ cup reserved pasta water. Increase heat to medium and toss with tongs 1–2 minutes, adding more pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed, until the linguine is al dente and the sauce looks glossy and coats the strands. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ¼ cup parsley. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges if desired.