Lemony Shrimp and Mussel Pasta Recipe

This Zesty Seafood Pasta is a gloriously bright, Mediterranean-inspired tangle of spaghetti, luscious shrimp, and sweet briny mussels all tossed in a lemony, garlicky tomato sauce that’s as inviting as a sunlit Italian coast. Generous speckles of fresh parsley and a touch of chili bring bold flavor in every forkful—seafood pasta night doesn’t get zestier than this!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Zesty Seafood Pasta is how simple and unfussy the ingredient list really is—each one delivers a punch of flavor, texture, or color that ties the dish together in perfect harmony. A few pantry staples alongside the freshest seafood will let you channel coastal Italy right at home.

• Shrimp (12 large, peeled and deveined): Sweet, juicy, and quick-cooking, the shrimp provide delicate richness and soak up all the vibrant sauce flavors.
• Fresh Mussels (2.2 lb, cleaned and debearded): Mussels infuse the pasta with briny depth and their shells add a touch of drama to the final plate.
• Spaghetti or Tagliatelle (1 lb): Long pasta is ideal for catching every drop of zesty sauce, but feel free to use your favorite type.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 fl. oz.): Good quality oil gives a golden richness and luscious finish to both sauce and seafood.
• Tomatoes (2 large, grated or canned diced): Fresh tomatoes bring a bright, jammy base; canned tomatoes are a reliable alternative for year-round flavor.
• Onion (1 large, finely diced): Gently sweet onion creates flavorful depth in the sauce’s foundation.
• Garlic (3 cloves, crushed): More is more—garlic infuses the sauce with its irresistible aroma and Mediterranean vibe.
• Lemon (zest and juice): Zest and juice make the “zesty” in Zesty Seafood Pasta pop, balancing the richness of seafood.
• Sweet Paprika (1 tbsp): For warm color and a gently smoky-sweet undertone.
• Dried Chili Flakes (½ tsp): Just enough warmth to bring everything to vivid life without overpowering the seafood.
• Fresh Parsley (3-4 tbsp, chopped): Bright green parsley gives a peppery freshness and a final burst of color.
• Dry Sherry (2 fl. oz.): The secret splash—sherry adds subtle complexity and brings out the best in shellfish.
• Salt and Pepper: For seasoning each layer with just the right touch.
• Water: Needed for cooking the pasta—don’t forget a generous pinch of salt for the pot!

Variations

One of the joys of Zesty Seafood Pasta is how easily it bends to your personal cravings or what’s in your fridge. Don’t hesitate to mix things up—this seafood pasta is truly meant for customizing!

• Swap in Different Seafood: Try adding clams, scallops, squid, or even chunks of white fish for a mixed seafood medley.
• Go All-Out Citrus: For even more zing, use a combo of lemon and orange zest, or add a splash of white wine instead of sherry.
• Turn Up the Heat: If you love spice, double the chili flakes and finish with a drizzle of chili oil.
• Make it Creamy: Gently stir in a few tablespoons of crème fraîche or mascarpone just before serving for a luscious, velvety sauce.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free spaghetti or tagliatelle to make Zesty Seafood Pasta celiac-friendly without skimping on taste.

How to Make Zesty Seafood Pasta

Step 1: Build the Lively Tomato Sauce

Start by heating half the olive oil over medium in a large pot. Sauté your diced onion for about 5–6 minutes until it’s lightly golden and wonderfully fragrant. Add in the crushed garlic, cooking gently just until it smells irresistible—watch it closely to avoid burning! Stir in the grated tomatoes, paprika, and chili flakes, then let everything simmer together to deepen in flavor for a few minutes. Slide the sauce to the edge of the pan to make way for the shrimp in the next step.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

While your sauce works its magic, bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook until perfectly al dente—the pasta should have a gentle bite, as it will finish mingling with the sauce later. Drain, reserving a splash of the pasta water in case you want to loosen the sauce later.

Step 3: Sear the Shrimp

Raise the heat under your sauce pan and swirl in a bit more olive oil. Add the shrimp with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, letting them sizzle for about 3 minutes per side. Spoon over a bit of the tomato-onion sauce to help flavor them as they cook. When the shrimp are rosy and cooked through, remove from the pan and tent with foil to keep warm—you’ll add them back for the final toss.

Step 4: Bring in the Mussels and Aromatics

Add half the lemon juice, plenty of zest, a handful of parsley, a splash of sherry, and a dash of water to the pan. Stir it all together, then gently nestle in the cleaned mussels and clamp on a lid. Let them steam for about 5 minutes, or until their shells open like little gifts. Discard any that stay closed.

Step 5: Marry Everything Together

Add your cooked pasta and seared shrimp back into the pan with the mussels and zesty sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles are gloriously coated and intertwined with all that seafood goodness. If things look a little dry, drizzle a touch more olive oil or reserved pasta water for that silkiness.

Step 6: Serve Your Zesty Seafood Pasta

Spoon generous portions into big shallow bowls, making sure each plate gets a mix of shrimp, mussels, and saucy pasta. Finish with extra parsley, a crack of fresh pepper, and lemon wedges for everyone to squeeze over at the table. Mangia!

How to Serve Zesty Seafood Pasta

Garnishes

A shower of freshly chopped parsley, a twist of black pepper, and a vibrant wedge of lemon are the ultimate finish for Zesty Seafood Pasta. For an extra pop, you can grate a little lemon zest or even a whisper of bottarga (if you want to go full coastal Italian).

Side Dishes

Keep sides simple and rustic—think a crusty loaf of bread to mop up every last drop of sauce, a green salad glistening with lemony vinaigrette, or grilled asparagus for something bright and breezy.

Creative Ways to Present

Drape the steaming pasta into wide shallow bowls and artfully arrange the shrimp and mussels on top for a bistro-style vibe. Or, make it a centerpiece and serve family-style piled high on a big platter—let everyone help themselves for an utterly festive atmosphere. Bonus: tuck in some small tongs or pretty forks for easy digging.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Seafood tastes best the day it’s cooked, but if you end up with leftovers, pop them into an airtight container and store in the coldest part of your fridge. Enjoy within 24 hours for the most vibrant, fresh flavor and safe eating.

Freezing

Because Zesty Seafood Pasta is packed with delicate shrimp and mussels, freezing isn’t recommended—shellfish can get rubbery or grainy after thawing. For best results, enjoy your meal fresh or refrigerate leftovers briefly.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or olive oil to help the sauce loosen up without overcooking the seafood. Avoid the microwave if you can—gentle stovetop heat helps prevent rubbery shellfish.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you crave a seafood dinner that feels like a quick trip to the Mediterranean—no plane ticket required—this Zesty Seafood Pasta has your name all over it. I hope you’ll gather your favorite people, pour something crisp and cold, and let this vibrant, lemony, seafood-studded bowl steal the show at your table soon!

Print