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Food

Creamy Clam Chowder with Pancetta

posted on November 11, 201514 Comments

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Clam Chowder with Pancetta| www.dashofevans.comI’m pretty sure by now you’ve figured out I LOVE soup. I seriously make it at least 2 times a week and could eat it daily. It’s usually quite healthy, simple to make and a great fridge cleaner. Also, I love to warm up a bowl of soup for lunch while I’m working from home.

Clam chowder is one that intimidated me. I thought canned clams would have an awful taste and be super expensive.  Guess what? This soup is SO easy and the clams are in the same price range as tuna! Go figure.  I wanted to lighten up the recipe a bit by using whole milk, instead of heavy cream and the big show stopper is the crispy pancetta. Of course, you can use bacon, but I have found chopped pancetta is available at most supermarkets now–I picked mine up at Aldi!Pancetta is a great bacon substitute--it's not smoked at great for soups! | www.dashofevans.com

Pancetta is just like bacon, but not smoked. Since it can be quite salty, I suggest waiting to salt the soup until it’s finished. Between the oyster crackers and pancetta, you might not even need it!

Side note: if you know how to make a bread bowl, please share the recipe in the comments! That would be the final kicker to make this soup perfection. Lightened up Clam Chowder with Pancetta | @DashOfEvans www.dashofevans.com

Who knew clam chowder could be SO easy? Without the heavy cream, this recipe has 70% less fat, too! This is a MUST try! | www.dashofevans.com
Print
Creamy Clam Chowder with Pancetta
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Lightened up Clam Chowder with pancetta. By using whole milk, not heavy cream, you can cut the fat by 70%!
Course: Soup
Servings: 4 bowls
Ingredients
  • 4 ounces diced pancetta
  • 1 onion chopped (1 cup)
  • 1 tsp thyme fresh or dried
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 cups diced red potatoes skin on
  • 3 ribs celery sliced and chopped
  • 3 cans clams 6.5 ounces
  • 2 cups clam juice
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • Pepper to taste
  • Garnish- oyster crackers parsley
Instructions
  1. Drain clams, reserving 2/3 cups of clam juice.
  2. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook until crispy. Remove pancetta from pan and place on a paper towel, for later.
  3. Add onion, celery, garlic and thyme to pan. Cook 3-4 minutes, until softened.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and add reserved clam juice, potato, bottled clam juice and bay leaf. Heat to boil, then reduce heat to medium low to cook potatoes, about 8-9 minutes.
  5. In a medium pourable measuring cup or bowl, whisk whole milk and flour until smooth. Slowly add to the pot, stirring constantly. Chowder will thicken in 4-5 minutes.
  6. Add minced clams and season with pepper. (See note about salt) Heat 2-3 minutes, until clams are heated.
  7. Serve in bowls, topping with oyster crackers, pancetta and parsley.
Recipe Notes

As noted in blog post, refrain from salting the soup until tasting. The oyster crackers and pancetta have a salty taste, so it's really not needed--I promise![br][br]If you prefer to use bacon, just substitute 4 slices of bacon. Adapted from Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine.

Who knew clam chowder could be SO easy? Without the heavy cream, this recipe has 70% less fat, too! This is a MUST try! | www.dashofevans.com

What’s your favorite soup? Have you ever tried to make Clam Chowder?

This post is sponsored by Milk Means More. As I mentioned before, I have a new partnership with the United Dairy of Michigan and their Milk Means More program. I am so excited to share some tasty dairy filled recipes with you all. As always, all opinions are my own. 

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Finding ME Moments With a Busy Schedule #JustBeYouMmmm Monday: Slow-Cooker Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah @ The Chef Next Door says

    November 11, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    I love clam chowder but have never made it at home! Can’t wait to try your recipe. And have I mentioned how much I love pancetta? It’s the perfect addition to this soup!!

    Reply
  2. Liz @ Yes/No Films says

    November 13, 2015 at 10:37 am

    I’m not a seafood fan but my dad LOVES clam chowder :).

    Reply
  3. Michelle T says

    November 13, 2015 at 11:09 am

    I have never had Pancetta before but if it tastes like bacon, I am sure I would love it. I love calm chowder though, I bet it would taste even better with bacon in it. Anyhow thanks for posting this recipe I might try this out I am always looking for something new to try out.

    Reply
  4. Rachel says

    November 13, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    It looks really good and I’m sure my husband would love it. I stay away from all seafood.

    Reply
  5. Lisa Martens says

    November 13, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    This looks and sounds amazing. I love warm creamy clam chowder. Growing up, we used to have it every year on Christmas Eve. My Ex wasn’t a fan so I didn’t carry the tradition on, but now that he’s out of the picture I might have to bring the tradition back and your this sounds like a great recipe to use! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Hannah says

    November 13, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Always nice to find a fellow soup lover 🙂 I’m a vegetarian, but my husband loves chowder. I could totally see him making this recipe!

    Reply
  7. Jenn says

    November 13, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    My family loves chowder. I might have to try this one sometime. We make a lot of soup and stews this time of year.

    Reply
    • Dash Of Evans says

      November 15, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Me too, I love leftovers. I usually end up freezing 1/4 of the batch too.

      Reply
  8. Keikilani says

    November 13, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    I LOVE a good clam chowder! I have never tried canned clams. You have convinced me to give them a try.

    Reply
    • Dash Of Evans says

      November 15, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      I was totally skeptical, but after cooking they taste pretty good! Until I can go back to the East coast, this will have to do! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Courtney says

    November 14, 2015 at 7:29 am

    I tried making soup earlier this week: Chicken rice soup with veggies…simple, right? Nope. Apparently, I’m just not good at “whipping” things up. Thank goodness for your step-by-step directions–such a huge help!

    Reply
  10. Tim B - A GEEK DADDY says

    November 14, 2015 at 5:53 pm

    I love clam chowder … but I’d never want to make it myself 😉 nice recipe though for those who like to roll up their sleeves in the kitchen.

    Reply
  11. Becki says

    November 14, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Looks delicious! I wish my family would eat more soup – I tend to get tired of anything before I finish eating the whole recipe 😀

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Butternut Squash Soup With Pancetta - Dash Of Evans says:
    June 18, 2017 at 9:33 pm

    […] you happen to have some pancetta left, be sure to try my Creamy Clam Chowder–another fancy […]

    Reply

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Hello! Welcome to my site!

Ashleigh Evans, founder of the blog Dash of Evans and also InBooze cocktail kits. As a mom of 4, she likes to create easy meals, using a little help from the store.

I'm Ashleigh and I live in Grand Rapids, MI! I love to create recipes with bold flavors the whole family can enjoy.

As a busy mom of 4, I love to create easy, yet delicious recipes taking a little help from the store. Everything on this site is easy to find in your favorite grocery store. I am quite the bargain shopper and I can spot a clearance sticker from a mile away.

Also check out my new line of cocktail kits, InBooze, which uses dehydrated produce to infuse your booze.

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