Pasta with Mussels is such an easy recipe to make. All you need are a few ingredients (most happen to be pantry staples for me), and some fresh mussels. The mussels cook in a pan and create their own sauce that's silky, flavorful, and fresh. Add your favorite pasta and you've got an easy date night dinner!
3/4cupdry white wineI usually cook with Sauvignon Blanc
1/2cuplow-sodium chicken broth
2shallots, minced
1/4cupparsley, chopped
3tablespoonsunsalted butter
2tablespoonsolive oil
3clovesgarlic, minced
1teaspoonred pepper flakes
1/4teaspoonkosher salt
1/4teaspoonfreshly cracked black pepper
1/4cupparmesan cheese, grated
1lemon, juiced
Instructions
First things first, bring a large stockpot of water to a boil. Remember to had a generous amount of salt to your water! Once the water has boiled, cook your pasta until al dente (according to the package).
While the water is coming to a boil, rinse your mussels and remove beards if necessary. If you find that any of the mussels remain open while you are rinsing them, toss them out. Unfortunately, this means that they are dead!
Now it's time to start on the mussels and sauce! In your sauté pan, add butter and olive oil and heat over medium heat until the butter is foaming. Next, add the garlic and shallots. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Once your kitchen starts to smell garlicky and delicious, add the wine, parsley, lemon juice, chicken broth, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, then add the mussels. Cover your sauté pan and let the mussels simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes. At this point, they should open. (Discard any that do not open).
Once the mussels have all opened and the pasta is done cooking, strain the noodles and add them to the sauté pan. Toss the pasta and mussels in the sauce to coat evenly with tongs.
Cover the pan once more and simmer for 3-5 more minutes. The sauce should thicken a little bit. Remove the pan from the heat and top with parmesan cheese. Toss pasta and serve immediately. Top with fresh parsley and lemon.
Notes
I always use white wine with mussels. It adds a fantastic depth of flavor that complements the brininess of the mussels.