Seafood Pasta

I wouldn't have thought I'd ever cook seafood pasta myself, but I managed to find the perfect formula which was accepted by the whole family. Until now, I would think of seafood as something complicated and too specific, except for the shrimp. Two trips to Italy made me completely change my mind and now the recipe for seafood pasta is the favourite, even for the children. And by "seafood" I don't mean those store bought mix bags with various things chopped up in there. Here, you choose the mollusks you like, be they just shrimp, worst case, and combine them as you like. You'll find more details about this in the first steps.

If you have time, you can prepare the simple homemade Marinara Tomato Sauce or the Marinara Sauce - my recipe for extra fragrance. You can also use canned diced tomatoes but they will need more flavours.

Ingredients
Seafood mix
500 g
choose the seafood you like - shrimp, squid, octopus, mussels etc. - fresh or frozen
Marinara sauce
400 g
Extravirgin olive oil
50 ml
Butter
20 g
White onion
1 piece
Garlic cloves
4 pieces
Chilli pepper
0.5 tsp
I used dried, if you have, use fresh - optional
White dry wine
100 ml
Basil
1 tbsp
chopped - can be replaced with parsley
Salt
1 tsp
to taste
Pasta
500 g
any favorite type
Step by step
Step 1

First, choose the seafood you like. We finally went with squid, shrimp, octopus and mussels in shells (you can also get without a shell, if you like).

I buy them all frozen (only the mussels are fresh) and I already have some favourite brands but that depends on the tastes. First of all, because the shellfish comes already cleaned and I trust it was frozen at the source and didn't have to stay "fresh" in the store for I don't know how long.

Seafood Pasta - Step 1
Step 2

I completely thaw all of it. Remove all the impurities and the possible cleaning mistakes, and there are many! Then, rinse thoroughly several times and place in a sieve to drain.

This is the formula that makes me eat seafood with pleasure, knowing that I won't find any shells between my teeth :) This is one of the reasons why I've been avoiding seafood dishes so far.

Seafood Pasta - Step 2
Step 3

One more thing - since you are buying several bags of shellfish. Finally, you'll end up with a bigger amount than necessary for the seafood pasta recipe.

I mix them all and then divide into 3-4 bags, place in the freezer. Next time, I cook them directly. I just thaw beforehand and I don't need to wash, clean, drain etc. anymore.

Seafood Pasta - Step 3
Step 4

Before, we used to take frozen mussels, they were also one of the cheapest. But we don't like them that much and we decided to buy fresh mussels. They also make the food look interesting, without overloading the plate.

So I buy them fresh, keep in water for 2 hours, changing the water 2-3 times. Then I scrub them well with a metal sponge and remove the beards.

Seafood Pasta - Step 4
Step 5

We finished with the specifications regarding the shellfish, so we already have it cleaned, washed, drained and combined. Now we start to make the sauce and the pasta. Meanwhile, bring some water to the boil for the pasta.

Sauce: In a deep frying pan, heat the olive oil and a cube of butter.

Seafood Pasta - Step 5
Step 6

Add finely chopped onion and garlic, stir well and cook for 2 minutes.

Seafood Pasta - Step 6
Step 7

Optionally, you can add chili flakes, cook for another minute.

Seafood Pasta - Step 7
Step 8

Now place all the seafood in the pan, mix and cook for 3 minutes.

Seafood Pasta - Step 8
Step 9

Pour the wine, stir.

Seafood Pasta - Step 9
Step 10

Put the lid on and simmer for 5 minutes.

Seafood Pasta - Step 10
Step 11

After this time, check if the mussels have opened, discard the ones which haven't, they are not good for consumption.

Seafood Pasta - Step 11
Step 12

Pour the tomato sauce, simple mashed tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes.

You can put more than 400g of tomato sauce, if you like the pasta with more juice and sauce.

Seafood Pasta - Step 12
Step 13

Stir well and let boil with the lid on for another 5 minutes.

Seafood Pasta - Step 13
Step 14

Season with salt, add some greens - fresh/dried basil or parsley.

The sauce is ready, turn off the heat.

Seafood Pasta - Step 14
Step 15

Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the package, drain and add it, hot like this, to the prepared sauce. Mix well.

Seafood Pasta - Step 15
Step 16

Don't forget about and don't avoid a sprinkle of some grated Parmesan on top, when serving.

Seafood Pasta - Step 16
Step 17

And it's done. Serve quickly, while it's hot.

Enjoy!

Seafood Pasta - Step 17
Quantity: 1 kg (6-8 servings)
Prep time:
15 min
Difficulty: easy
Ready in: 30 min