Grandpa Joe's
Clams and Mussels Marinara

Seafood and pasta were made for each other.

About this recipe

You don't have to be Italian to know that there are countless ways to serve seafood with pasta.  When seafood, especially clams and mussels, is served in a spicy tomato sauce over pasta, the resulting flavors are spectacular.  This is one of my favorites.  Oh, and don't forget a chunk of crusty bread.

Ingredients

  • fresh clams, about one dozen per person
  • fresh mussels, about one dozen per person
  • Spicy Marinara Sauce
  • linguine, about ¼ pound per person
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • kosher salt

Directions

  1. Prepare the Spicy Marinara Sauce, but do not add the red pepper flakes or the final 3 tablespoons of parsley.  
  2. Rinse the clams and mussels in cold water, debeard the mussels, and discard any shells that are not completely closed.
  3. Add the clams and mussels to the sauce and cook just until all the shells have opened, 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. At the same time, cook the linguine in boiling, salted water.  Drain well and remove to a serving bowl.
  5. Spoon the mussels and sauce over the pasta.  Sprinkle with the reserved red pepper flakes and parsley.
  6. Serve immediately.  Discard any clams or mussels that do not open.
Mussels with Spicy Marinara Sauce (over hidden linguine)!

Notes

  • Needless to say, either the clams or the mussels can be omitted.  Also, shrimp and calamari are great additions or substitutes.
Posted: February 2014.