Description
This Simple Mixed Seafood Tomato Marinara Pasta is a delightful Italian-inspired dish featuring spaghetti tossed in a vibrant tomato marinara sauce loaded with shrimp, scallops, and mussels. The sauce is infused with garlic, red pepper flakes, white wine, and dried herbs, producing a rich and flavorful meal perfect for seafood lovers seeking an easy yet elegant dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Seafood
- 1 pound mixed seafood such as shrimp (peeled and deveined), scallops, and mussels (cleaned)
Finishing & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti or linguine and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly, concentrating the flavors.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Cook the seafood: Add the mixed seafood to the skillet with the sauce. Cover the skillet and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink, scallops become opaque, and mussels open. Discard any mussels that do not open.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the unsalted butter and chopped fresh parsley to enrich the sauce and add a fresh herbal note.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet and gently toss to coat the noodles with the seafood marinara sauce. Use some reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce for a silky texture.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and seafood immediately. Optionally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top for an added layer of flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute any combination of seafood such as clams, calamari, or crab depending on availability and preference.
- For a richer, more intense flavor, add a splash of seafood stock or clam juice to the sauce while simmering.
- Omit the Parmesan cheese for a more traditional Italian seafood pasta experience.
- Make sure to discard mussels that do not open during cooking for food safety reasons.
