Skip to main content

Italian Steamed Mussels

A BEAUTIFUL BOWL OF FRESHLY STEAMED MUSSELS is even better with marinara sauce, with the tomato playing off the tender, salty shellfish. Serve this dish as a starter, or ladle the mussels over spaghetti for a hearty pasta dish. Be sure to serve a loaf of warm, crusty bread alongside to soak up the juices.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 as an appetizer, 2 as a main course

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 ounces (2 to 3 slices) thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
2 cups Marinara Sauce with Fresh Herbs (page 241) or store-bought marinara sauce
4 fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the olive oil in a stockpot or a large pot on medium-high heat. Add the prosciutto and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, or until brown. Add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for 30 seconds.

    Step 2

    Stir in the marinara sauce and sage and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover the pan, and cook on high heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mussels open.

    Step 3

    Remove the pan from the heat and discard any unopened mussels. Spoon the mussels and the sauce into 4 bowls, sprinkle with the parsley, and serve hot.

Pure Flavor
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.