Seafood Pasta Recipe (2024)

This seafood pasta is a mix of shrimp, clams, mussels and scallops, all tossed together with spaghetti in a homemade tomato sauce. An easy yet elegant meal that’s perfect for entertaining!

When I have friends and family over, I often serve seafood such as classic cioppino, bacon wrapped scallops, shrimp kabobs or this simple yet totally satisfying seafood pasta.

Seafood Pasta Recipe (1)

Whenever I go to my local Italian restaurant, I order their special mixed seafood pasta. It can get expensive to go out to eat, so I decided to recreate my favorite restaurant dish at home. This pasta features plenty of fresh seafood tossed in a homemade sauce, and I think it’s even better than the restaurant version!

How do you make seafood pasta?

This recipe starts with an easy homemade tomato sauce, which is made with garlic onions, tomato puree and seasonings. While the sauce is simmering, it’s time to cook the pasta and seafood. The shrimp and scallops are cooked first, then the mussels and clams are steamed in a bit of cooking liquid from the pasta. Toss the spaghetti, seafood and tomato sauce together, then serve and enjoy!

Seafood Pasta Recipe (2)

Tips for seafood pasta

  • The tomato sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance. You can store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook the pasta and seafood.
  • While I prefer to make my own sauce for this recipe, you can substitute a jar of your favorite marinara sauce if you’re short on time.
  • I use 31-40 count sized shrimp in this recipe. You can go for larger or smaller shrimp, but I find this size to be good because it’s approximately the same size as the scallops.
  • Any mix of seafood will work here, other great options include chunks of fish, lobster or calamari.
  • No spaghetti on hand? Try a different long pasta such as fettuccine, angel hair or linguine.

Seafood Pasta Recipe (3)

How to prepare mussels and clams

Mussels and clams taste great, but they require some special handling. You want to get live mussels and clams from the store. If the mussels or clams have open shells, tap on them and they should close, which means they’re alive and fine to eat. If the mussels and clams stay open before cooking, discard them.

Live mussels and clams need to be stored in the refrigerator. They should only be stored for one to two days and you want to store them in open containers in the refrigerator with a damp towel on top. Although they live in the sea, they should not be stored in water and if any water accumulates in the container, it should be drained every day. If the clams and mussels don’t smell like the sea, or they smell off, discard them.

Before cooking clams or mussels, place them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes. This allows the shellfish to expel sand. Remove the shellfish from the water and discard the sandy water.

Remove the beards (the little furry bit from the flat side) from mussels. You can remove the beards by pulling by hand on the fibers toward the hinge of the mussel. You can hold the mussels with a towel to get a better grip and protect your hands.

Scrub the shellfish with a brush under cold water to remove any dirt, sand, or broken shell bits. After you have cooked the shellfish, discard any that don’t open during the cooking process.

Seafood Pasta Recipe (4)

HOW LONG TO COOK SEAFOOD

The seafood ingredients in this recipe cook at different rates, so you’ll want to cook the shrimp and scallops first, then remove them when you cook the clams and mussels so that they don’t get overcooked and tough.

  • Clams: 4-6 minutes
  • Scallops: 3-4 minutes
  • Mussels: 3-4 minutes
  • Shrimp: 2-3 minutes

Seafood Pasta Recipe (5)

Everyone will be so impressed when you serve up this delectable seafood pasta. I love to serve it for special occasions because it always gets rave reviews.

More great seafood recipes

  • Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter
  • Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
  • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
  • Shrimp Ceviche
  • New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

This seafood pasta is a mix of shrimp, clams, mussels and scallops, all tossed together with spaghetti in a homemade tomato sauce. An easy yet elegant meal that's perfect for entertaining!

Time

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time30 minutes minutes

Total Time40 minutes minutes

Course Main

Cuisine Italian

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided use
  • 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 28 ounce can San Marzano Whole Tomatoes pureed in a blender or food processor
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or other long pasta
  • 1/2 pound shrimp peeled and deveined, leave tails on if desired for nicer presentation
  • 1/2 pound sea scallops
  • 1/2 pound clams scrubbed
  • 1/2 pound mussels scrubbed and de-bearded
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

  • Stir in the red pepper flakes (optional), then add the pureed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until sauce has just started to thicken. Stir in the butter, then remove the sauce from the heat.

  • While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water according to package directions.

  • Drain the pasta, reserving 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.

  • Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan.

  • Cook the scallops for 1-2 minutes per side or until browned and opaque.

  • Remove the scallops from the pan. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and add them to the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until pink and opaque.

  • Remove the shrimp from the pan. Place the clams and mussels in the pan, along with the reserved pasta water. Bring to a simmer.

  • Cover and cook for 4-6 minutes or until clams and mussels have opened. Discard any shells that did not open.

  • Add the shrimp and scallops back to the pan along with the tomato sauce and spaghetti. Toss to coat everything with the sauce.

  • Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 561kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 182mg | Sodium: 716mg | Potassium: 1066mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 840IU | Vitamin C: 27.5mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 6.6mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @dinneratthezoo on Instagram and hashtag it #dinneratthezoo

Originally Posted July 1, 2019

CategoriesDinner Italian Food Pasta Seafood

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Seafood Pasta Recipe (12)
Seafood Pasta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What pasta goes best with seafood? ›

The Best Pasta & Seafood Pairings
  • Spicy Seafood Linguine. People who love their pasta with a bit of heat can try to pair it with spicy seafood like clams or mussels. ...
  • Lobster and Crab Ravioli with Cream Sauce. ...
  • Pesto Shrimp Penne.

Should you put parmesan on seafood pasta? ›

You see, in Italy, Parmesan cheese is reserved for pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces, cream sauces, and meat-based dishes. Adding Parmesan cheese to a seafood-based dish, like spaghetti with clams, is a big no-no. It's like adding ketchup to a steak or pineapple on a pizza – it just doesn't belong!

What is seafood pasta made of? ›

This seafood pasta is a mix of shrimp, clams, mussels and scallops, all tossed together with spaghetti in a homemade tomato sauce. An easy yet elegant meal that's perfect for entertaining!

Can I cook raw shrimp in pasta sauce? ›

An easy technique is to cook shrimp directly in a sauce. It's faster and simpler than the classic way of cooking in seasoned water, draining, then making a separate sauce. Besides, the shrimp gain flavor from the sauce as they cook.

Do Italians put seafood in pasta? ›

Italian Seafood Pasta is a classic Italian pasta recipe made with scialatielli, clams, mussels, calamari, and prawns. The simple flavors of this dish make a big impact, and will delight any seafood lover!

Why don't you put onions and garlic together? ›

Onions and garlic complement each other for sure, but when they're combined, they almost cancel each other out. Rather than the distinct flavor of onion and garlic, often you what you taste is simply “something good.” If you stick to one, its flavor becomes a feature of the dish rather than a supporting role.

What cheese goes best with seafood? ›

Balance the saltiness: Seafood is naturally salty, so it's important to choose a cheese that balances the saltiness. Aged cheeses like parmesan and asiago work well with seafood dishes that are heavily salted, while fresh cheeses like goat cheese and feta can lighten the overall saltiness of the dish.

Can I put cheese on seafood pasta? ›

In the Italian culinary tradition, some pasta sauces don't pair well with the addition of grated Parmesan or other cheeses; seafood is a prime example of this. This is mainly because the savory and robust flavor of the cheese can overpower the delicate taste of the fish.

How to make seafood pasta less fishy? ›

We've found an easy way to eliminate the smell: Soak the fish or the shellfish meat in milk for 20 minutes and then drain and pat dry. The casein in milk binds to the TMA, and when drained away, it takes the culprit that causes fishy odor with it.

Why do people leave the tails on shrimp in pasta? ›

For one, leaving the tails on will help you grip the shrimp better. It will also give your dish extra flavor and moisture and make them look larger and more visually appealing. In addition, shrimp tails are beneficial to your health.

Why do restaurants leave tails on shrimp in pasta? ›

Because this area is protected by the shell, it takes longer to cook. This creates the effect of a more uniformly thick piece of shrimp. Leaving the tail on also has aesthetic purposes. The tail anchors the shrimp and stops it from deforming.

Should I peel shrimp before cooking in pasta? ›

Many of us peel shrimp before cooking it, but it's time to rethink that habit. Not only does skipping peeling get you out of a tedious kitchen task but you'll be preserving what is arguably the tastiest part of the crustacean.

Should you cook shrimp before adding to pasta? ›

Adding Shrimp to Pasta

Boil your favorite pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. In a separate pan, heat some olive oil and sauté garlic and any additional vegetables or herbs you desire. Add the cooked shrimp to the pan, toss them together, and then combine with the cooked pasta.

What pasta shape goes best with shrimp? ›

For Seafood Sauces

Thin, long cuts with a smooth texture best mimic the light and silky texture of seafood sauces and so we recommend long cuts like Linguine, Capellini (sometimes referred to as “angel hair”) and Thin Spaghetti.

Do Italians eat pasta with shrimp? ›

Langoustines are crustaceans with pink flesh and claws, usually larger than jumbo shrimp that are very popular in the coastal area of the Veneto region. Shrimp Scampi Pasta is basically an Italian American recipe that makes pasta with shrimp, the way we Italians eat pasta with scampi or langoustines.

How to eat pasta with shellfish? ›

If the pasta dish is not served with the shellfish still in the shell, you would eat it as you would any other sort of pasta. If it's served with the shellfish still in the shell, hold the shell with one hand and your fork with the other. Hold the shell on an angle.

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