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Fish, Busy evenings

Seafood spaghetti

Seafood spaghetti is an Italian pasta dish made with a mix of mussels, shrimp and squid in a garlicky tomato and white wine sauce. This recipe serves 4, takes 30 minutes, is easy to make, and costs €3.90 per serving. The key to success is not overcooking the seafood, or it turns rubbery.

Tonight, spaghetti with mussels, shrimp and squid in a garlicky tomato sauce, just like on an Italian port.

Seafood spaghetti
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.90
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This dish pairs tender spaghetti with seafood that stays juicy in a tomato sauce spiked with garlic and chili. White wine adds a touch of acidity that balances the tomato, and fresh parsley brings a last bit of brightness right before serving.

It's the kind of recipe that saves a busy weeknight without feeling like you cut corners, especially since it takes barely 30 minutes start to finish. Since the seafood mix is frozen, you can make it year round without a trip to the fish market, and even kids who love pasta tend to enjoy it.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Spaghettioften in the pantry 400 g
  • Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 400 g
  • Chili flakesoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Frozen foods

  • Frozen seafood mix 500 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Parsley 1 bunch

Dairy

  • Dry white wine 10 cl

Allergens Gluten, Shellfish, Mollusks

The step by step recipe

  1. Thaw the seafood mix and pat it dry well with paper towels.

    The drier it is, the better it browns.

  2. Heat the oil with the garlic and chili flakes, add the seafood and sauté it, then deglaze with the white wine. 4 min

    Keep the heat high, the seafood won't release much water.

  3. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper, and let it simmer gently. 10 min

    Seafood turns tough if it cooks too long, don't go past this time.

  4. Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water, save a bit of the cooking water, then drain. 9 min

    Pull the pasta out a minute early, it finishes cooking in the sauce.

  5. Toss the spaghetti into the sauce with a splash of pasta water and the chopped parsley, then serve.

    Toss the pasta in the sauce over heat so it soaks up all the flavor.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a good quality frozen seafood mix with whole pieces rather than tiny bits, so every bite actually tastes of something.
  • Don't oversalt the pasta water, the seafood mix and sauce already bring plenty of salt.
  • Always save a bit of pasta cooking water before draining, it makes the sauce silkier without needing any cream.

The variations

  • Swap the seafood mix for shrimp only if you prefer a milder flavor that's easier to share with kids.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the seafood with mushrooms and marinated artichokes, the garlicky tomato sauce still works just as well.
  • To save time, use short pasta like ditalini, which cooks faster than spaghetti.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with lemon dressing
  • Crusty bread for dipping
  • A glass of dry white wine

Storage

Store leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for 1 to 2 days, seafood doesn't keep as long as other pasta dishes. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Avoid freezing this dish, seafood turns rubbery once thawed.

Questions about this dish

Can you use fresh seafood instead of the frozen mix?

Yes, if you find fresh, already cleaned seafood, you can use it straight away without thawing. Just shorten the cooking time slightly, since fresh seafood releases less water than frozen.

Why do you need to dry the seafood before cooking it?

Wet seafood releases water in the pan and keeps it from browning. Patting it dry with paper towels helps it sear properly and keep more flavor.

Can you make the sauce ahead of time?

You can make the seafood tomato sauce a few hours ahead and gently reheat it before tossing in freshly cooked pasta. Don't keep it longer than a day, the seafood loses its texture.

How do you adapt this recipe for young kids?

You can skip the chili and stick to shrimp only from the seafood mix, since they're easier to chew and recognize on the plate. Cut any larger pieces in half to make eating easier.

How long does it take to make a seafood spaghetti?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a seafood spaghetti?

About 510 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a seafood spaghetti cost?

About €3.90 per serving, or €15.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, shellfish, mollusks. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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