Best Easy Spaghetti alle Cozze Recipe

Plump mussels tossed with spaghetti in a garlicky white wine or tomato broth. This mediterranean seafood dish is high in protein and iron, fitting for a dash diet or healthy family meal.

Cook 30 min Difficulty NORMAL 420 kcal
#Mediterranean #DASH #High Protein
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • spaghetti 14 oz
  • fresh mussels 2 lbs
  • cherry tomatoes 1.5 cups
  • garlic cloves 4 cloves
  • shallot 1 piece
  • fresh parsley 0.5 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • olive oil 3 tbsp
  • dry white wine 0.5 cup
  • sea salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • red pepper flakes 0.25 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 60 g 57%
Protein 22 g 21%
Fat 7 g 15%
Serving size 380g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Scrub and rinse mussels under cold water, discarding any with broken shells; set aside in a colander.

  2. 2

    Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente, about 9 minutes; drain and reserve 1 cup pasta water.

  3. 3

    In a wide skillet, heat olive oil over medium; sauté chopped shallot and thinly sliced garlic for 2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.

  4. 4

    Add cherry tomatoes, white wine, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes; simmer on medium-high until tomatoes soften and wine reduces by half, about 6–8 minutes.

  5. 5

    Add mussels to the skillet; cover and cook on medium-high for 3–4 minutes until mussels open. Discard any that remain closed.

  6. 6

    Add drained spaghetti, reserved pasta water, and chopped parsley to the skillet; toss everything well over medium heat for 2 minutes until pasta is glossy and absorbs broth.

  7. 7

    Taste and adjust seasoning; serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The core ingredient is fresh mussels, which give Spaghetti alle Cozze its signature briny sweetness and boost both protein and iron. Mussels are paired with garlic, cherry tomatoes, and spaghetti to create classic Mediterranean flavor.
Q. What heat control tips help avoid overcooking the mussels?
To prevent tough or rubbery mussels, cook them covered on medium-high heat for only 3–4 minutes, just until the shells open. Any mussels that remain closed should be discarded. Overcooking can cause loss of moisture and flavor, so timing matters for seafood.
Q. How do I keep the pasta from getting mushy or dry?
Drain the spaghetti when it's just al dente, and toss it with reserved pasta water in the skillet after the mussels are cooked. This keeps the texture springy and allows the pasta to fully absorb the aromatic broth without becoming overcooked.
Q. What are the nutrition highlights per serving?
Each serving contains around 420 kcal, with 22g protein (21% of calories), 60g carbohydrates (57%), and 7g fat (15%). It's a high-protein seafood meal featuring Mediterranean ingredients that's suitable for DASH and healthy diets.
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