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You are here: Home / Recipes / Mussels Marinara

Mussels Marinara

February 28, 2021 by Mahy, Updated April 10, 2021 13 Comments

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This Mussels Marinara is super tasty, quick and easy to make! Served over pasta for a Mussel Pasta meal you’ll love! I also share my favroite tips about mussels and a fun video for the recipe!

two hands with spoons and forks holding off pasta from a plate with mussels marinara and mussel pasta

I love mussels. Like love them. One of my most popular recipes ever on this blog is the How to Cook Mussels with Garlic Lemon sauce Recipe. It’s so popular that you have TO try it too! 🙂

Over on the How to Cook Mussels post, you’ll find images and step by details on getting started with mussels.

Stuff like How to Clean Mussels, What are Mussels, How to Eat Mussels, How to Make Mussels, What to Mussels Taste like, How Long to Cook Mussels, Are Mussels Good For you, and SO MUCH MORE!

Close up of a spoon in a bowl of mussels pasta showing the tomato marinara sauce, the cooked mussels, the fresh basil and lemon wedges

So If you’re new to cooking mussels and want to get ahead of the game, I can’t urge you enough to read that post first. You may decide to try that recipe too which is equally delicious, or, you may want to come back here for the Mussels Marinara!

 

 

 

WHAT IS MUSSELS MARINARA

A little background about Mussels Marinara. I have to be transparent as this recipe stems from the beautiful rich Italian cuisine, it’s absolutely not my invention.

Seafood in Marinara sauce comes from Naples in Italy and it’s moved across the world. Today I’m making just mussels in marinara sauce because it’s super tasty.

A colander of fresh mussels on a green marble surrounded by basil and fresh and tomatoes

With this recipe you have the rich seafood flavor from cooking the mussels right into the marinara sauce. Plus you obviously have the tomato, onion, celery and herb flavored marinara which pairs beautifully with the mussels.

If you tried the popular Mussels recipe on my blog, you’ll notice that as mussels cook, they release a good amount of liquid into the pan.

This is enough to make a pan sauce, and at that point you can choose to have it as it, or use it as a flavor booster to an existing pan sauce. In today’s case, I’m using it to add that seafood flavor to my existing marinara.

So let’s get to making this recipe!

A huge plate of mussels marinara on a green marble ad pasta for mussels pasta and fresh basil

MAKE MUSSEL PASTA

To make the mussel pasta or mussels marinara sauce you’ll start by cleaning your mussels and running them under cold water. Remove any strings or beards as they’re called by pulling them off from the shell.

You’ll need to be VERY vigilant at this stage observing any mussels that are open. This is probably the most important step in making sure you’ll be eating fresh mussels.

A hand holding a cleaned and closed fresh mussel before cooking

As you clean the mussels, make sure the mussels are all closed and sealed tight before cooking.

Now you’ll gather ingredients for the basic marinara sauce to start off your mussels pasta recipe with:

Ingredients for Marinara Sauce:

Ingredients for mussels marinara including chopped onions, celery, garlic, basil pesto and canned tomatoes on a cutting board

  • Onions
  • Celery
  • Garlic
  • Canned cherry tomatoes (or your favorite)
  • Homemade Basil Pesto (or store bought, but I urge YOU to try my homemade one!)
  • Fresh chopped basil

First of all, start by sautéing the onions and celery in olive oil until the onions are nice and golden brown. Use a large pot for this as this is where the mussels will be cooked too.

A large pot with sauteed onions, celery and garlic

Also, don’t rush this step. This is probably one of the steps that everyone rushes, but please wait until the onion is in fact sweet and golden. Otherwise you’ll end up with a strong tasting onion in your marinara.

The canned tomatoes added to the huge pot and being cooked for the marinara sauce so we add the mussels

Then add in the garlic and red pepper (chilli flakes / red pepper flakes if you’re using). Then add the tomatoes, half the basil pesto and bring to a boil Cook the sauce down a bit before adding the mussels .

Now is when you’ll add the mussels and toss them in the sauce. Season with some salt and pepper, and drop the heat to medium heat.

Mussels added into the pot with marinara sauce

You’ll want the sauce to still be bubbly but not boiling vigorously. Cover the pot and let the mussels cook.

Meanwhile, start cooking your pasta for this mussels pasta recipe! If you like al dente then cook it according to the package directions.

The mussels cook anywhere from 6-10 minutes. You’ll know the mussels are ready when you see the shells open.

Remember how we started off discarding any mussel with an open shell? Well now you’ll do the opposite.

A spoon showing off the sauce at the pan after mussels have cooked

Toss your mussels and add in the remaining amount of basil pesto. If you find any mussel that’s still sealed with shells tight closed, discard that one right away.

You’ll end up with plenty of extra delicious sauce for the pasta!

Serve right over pasta or crusty bread and enjoy!

The cooked mussels marinara added over the pasta

MUSSELS MARINARA RECIPE TIPS

  • Cleaning mussels is the first step to making sure the mussels are fresh and ready to use. Rinse them under cold water, remove any beards or threads hanging from the shell.
  • If you find any mussel shell open at that point, discard the mussel right away before cooking.
  • Make the marinara sauce using your favorite marinara flavors. I add celery here although it’t not typical, but because it pairs so well with the mussels.
  • Make sure you sauté the onions until they’re slightly golden before proceeding with your recipe. This is the best way to make sure your sauce won’t taste like strong onion.
  • Cook down the marinara before adding in the mussels. Remember the mussels will let out a good amount of liquid into the sauce as well.
  • If you prefer using fresh basil only to flavor the marinara and mussels, do so, however basil pesto is far more concentrated and tasty!
  • I urge you to make my Basil Pesto recipe, plus you’ll find all the tips you need for making a whole bunch and freezing it.
  • When you add in the mussels to the pot, make sure to give them a good toss in the sauce and close the lid.
  • 5-8 minutes later, the mussel shells should open up. Cook them for an extra 5 minutes to allow them to soak up more sauce and flavors.
  • If any mussel shell after cooking remains closed and tight, discard the mussel right away. It’s not safe to eat.
  • Now serve the mussels marinara over pasta or with crusty bread and enjoy!

two hands serving the mussels pasta with the mussels marinara over a plate of mussels marinara

SEAFOOD RECIPES

How to Cook Mussels with Garlic and Lemon Sauce

Mediterranean Baked Fish

Fish Fry

Smoked Salmon Platter

Baked Salmon With Greek Dressing

Sushi Burrito

two hands serving the mussels pasta with the mussels marinara over a plate of mussels marinara
5 from 8 votes
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Mussels Marinara

This Mussels Marinara is super tasty, quick and easy to make! Served over pasta for a Mussel Pasta meal you’ll love! I also share my favroite tips about mussels and a fun video for the recipe!
Course Main Course, Main Dish, Pasta
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword Mussels Marinara, mussels marinara recipe, Mussels Pasta, Mussels pasta recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 2442 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds mussels fresh water mussels, preferably organic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1 onion large diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto divided
  • 2 cups canned cherry tomatoes with liquid
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes more or less to taste
  • 1 pound cooked spaghetti pasta
  • Fresh basil minced

Instructions

  1. Wash your mussels under cold water in a colander. Make sure you rinse them well and check if any mussel has a beard or string. Pull that out.
    A colander of fresh mussels on a green marble surrounded by basil and fresh and tomatoes
  2. If you notice any mussel has an open shell, discard it right away before cooking as it’s not safe to eat.
  3. Make the marinara sauce. You’ll need a large pot here as this will be your sauce and mussels pot. Use a 5 quart at least.
    Ingredients for mussels marinara including chopped onions, celery, garlic, basil pesto and canned tomatoes on a cutting board
  4. Sauté the onions and celery in olive oil. Add in the seasoning and make sure you cook the onions well before proceeding.
  5. You want the sweet flavor of onions that compliments the sauce, not the strong overpowering onion taste.
    A large pot with sauteed onions, celery and garlic
  6. Add in the garlic, sauté for a minute before adding in the tomatoes and half the amount of basil pesto. Season the sauce.
    The canned tomatoes added to the huge pot and being cooked for the marinara sauce so we add the mussels
  7. Cook that down for 5-7 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken and the flavors blend well together.
    Mussels added into the pot with marinara sauce
  8. Now add in your mussels and toss them well in the sauce. Make sure to toss the mussels really well.
  9. Then cover the pot and drop the heat to medium so the mussels can cook. They need a maximum of 10 minutes to cook. You’ll know they’re ready as you’ll see the shells have opened up.
    A spoon showing off the sauce at the pan after mussels have cooked
  10. I like to keep the mussels simmering in the sauce for an extra 5 minutes so they soak up more and more marinara flavor.
  11. In the meantime you’ll be cooking your pasta al dente.
    two hands serving the mussels pasta with the mussels marinara over a plate of mussels marinara
  12. Once mussels are ready, add in the remaining amount of basil pesto and give it a final toss.
  13. Serve the mussels over the cooked pasta and drizzle some olive oil for flavor. Sprinkle extra fresh basil and chilli flakes.
  14. Serve and Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

MUSSELS MARINARA RECIPE TIPS

Cleaning mussels is the first step to making sure the mussels are fresh and ready to use. Rinse them under cold water, remove any beards or threads hanging from the shell.
If you find any mussel shell open at that point, discard the mussel right away before cooking.
Make the marinara sauce using your favorite marinara flavors. I add celery here although it’t not typical, but because it pairs so well with the mussels.
Make sure you sauté the onions until they’re slightly golden before proceeding with your recipe. This is the best way to make sure your sauce won’t taste like strong onion.
Cook down the marinara before adding in the mussels. Remember the mussels will let out a good amount of liquid into the sauce as well.
If you prefer using fresh basil only to flavor the marinara and mussels, do so, however basil pesto is far more concentrated and tasty!
I urge you to make my Basil Pesto recipe, plus you’ll find all the tips you need for making a whole bunch and freezing it.
When you add in the mussels to the pot, make sure to give them a good toss in the sauce and close the lid.
5-8 minutes later, the mussel shells should open up. Cook them for an extra 5 minutes to allow them to soak up more sauce and flavors.
If any mussel shell after cooking remains closed and tight, discard the mussel right away. It’s not safe to eat.
Now serve the mussels marinara over pasta or with crusty bread and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Mussels Marinara
Amount Per Serving
Calories 2442 Calories from Fat 747
% Daily Value*
Fat 83g128%
Saturated Fat 14g88%
Cholesterol 329mg110%
Sodium 6945mg302%
Potassium 5808mg166%
Carbohydrates 243g81%
Fiber 23g96%
Sugar 32g36%
Protein 178g356%
Vitamin A 4845IU97%
Vitamin C 151mg183%
Calcium 722mg72%
Iron 60mg333%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Filed Under: American Recipes, Mediterranean Recipes, Pasta, Recipes, Videos Tagged With: basil, basil pesto, canned tomatoes, how to cook seafood, Italian, mussels, pasta, pasta dinners, quick pasta meal, seafood meals, seafood pasta, seasoning, spaghtii

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. tiktok live app

    January 3, 2025 at 4:58 pm

    This Mussels Marinara recipe looks absolutely delicious! I love how you’ve included tips on cleaning the mussels and the step-by-step instructions. Can’t wait to try it with some fresh pasta! 🍝🥳

    Reply
  2. Roblox Mod App

    December 14, 2024 at 4:23 am

    This Mussels Marinara recipe looks absolutely delicious! I love how you combined mussels with pasta – it’s such a perfect match. Can’t wait to try this at home, especially with that fresh marinara sauce! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Sabrina

    April 4, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    My family loves mussels so I’m always looks for new simple delicious recipes and this one did not disappoint! It really was easy to make and packed with so many amazing flavours. Thanks for this, its a keeper!

    Reply
  4. Irina

    March 1, 2021 at 6:11 pm

    5 stars
    You should see me dancing and singing. I have just found another delicious recipe to cook mussels. OMG! I cannot wait to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Mahy

      March 7, 2021 at 11:39 am

      You’ll love this mussels recipe!

      Reply
  5. Marie-Charlotte Chatelain

    March 1, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    Hmmmm – this is an amazing recipe! I have not dared to prepare mussels myself but with this recipe I feel confident I can tackle it! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Mahy

      March 7, 2021 at 11:39 am

      Thank you Marie! Hope you make it soon!

      Reply
  6. Sara Welch

    March 1, 2021 at 5:53 pm

    5 stars
    What a unique and unexpected recipe! So easy and delicious; easily, a new favorite at the dinner table!

    Reply
    • Mahy

      March 7, 2021 at 11:39 am

      Thank you Sara!

      Reply
  7. Jeff Albom

    March 1, 2021 at 5:18 pm

    5 stars
    We have green lipped mussels in abundance here in New Zealand. I think this recipe will make good use of them.

    Reply
    • Mahy

      March 7, 2021 at 11:40 am

      I love Green Lipped Mussels too!!

      Reply
  8. rika

    March 1, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    5 stars
    It’s the perfect pasta dish to serve to feed a crowd. I just love mussels so much.

    Reply
    • Mahy

      March 7, 2021 at 11:40 am

      It’s the perfect quick seafood pasta to make!

      Reply
5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Mahy PicHi, I'm Mahy, a recipe developer, food stylist, culinary instructor, photographer, wife and busy mom! Welcome to my blog!...Read More

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