Louisiana Mussels With Pasta

Louisiana Mussels with Pasta
Diana Rattray
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 44 mins
Total: 64 mins
Servings: 2 servings

 These Louisiana-style mussels make a fabulous meal for two with pasta. The sauce is a flavorful sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, and the "holy trinity" of Cajun cooking. To serve four as an appetizer, omit the pasta and serve with the sauce, along with garlic bread or sliced French bread.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds mussels, farm-raised preferred

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped

  • 1/2 cup celery, chopped

  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, or clam juice

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 pinch oregano

  • 1 dash kosher salt, or sea salt, to taste

  • 4 cups hot cooked pasta, such as linguine, spaghetti, fettuccine

  • Garlic bread, or French bread, optional, for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Scrub the mussels under cold running water and remove any beards* they may have. Farm-raised mussels are already quite clean and they tend to have fewer beards, so don't worry if you don't see any. Discard cracked or damaged mussels, and any that stay open even after light tapping.

  3. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven over low heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the roux is light brown, or "blonde." 

  4. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery; stir to blend with the roux. Cover and cook over low heat until for 6 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables are softened. Stir occasionally.

  5. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, broth or clam juice, and lemon juice, along with the cayenne and black peppers and oregano. Simmer sauce, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes, or until thickened. 

  6. Add the mussels to the sauce; stir. Cover and continue simmering over low heat for 5 to 8 minutes, until the mussels open. 

  7. Cook the linguine in boiling salted water following package directions. Drain.

  8. Remove the opened mussels to a large bowl and discard any unopened mussels. 

  9. Taste the sauce and add kosher salt or sea salt, if needed.

  10. Divide the pasta between two wide, shallow bowls. Arrange the mussels around the pasta. Spoon sauce overall.

  11. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

*The "beards" on mussels are fibers which help them attach to other mussels and hard surfaces, and are more common on wild mussels. To remove a beard, just grab it near the mussel and give a good tug.

**The mussels will naturally release some salty liquid into the sauce as they cook, so taste the sauce after the mussels have opened before adding more salt.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1635 Calories
42g Fat
176g Carbs
135g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 1635
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g 53%
Saturated Fat 16g 78%
Cholesterol 300mg 100%
Sodium 2102mg 91%
Total Carbohydrate 176g 64%
Dietary Fiber 11g 40%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 135g
Vitamin C 117mg 586%
Calcium 299mg 23%
Iron 38mg 209%
Potassium 2447mg 52%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)