Mussels are really easy to make, readily available (and affordable!) in most areas,  and most importantly super delicious.  There are so many ways to make them, but a family favorite of ours is with a simple red sauce.  This Mussels marinara recipe takes about 30 minutes and can be served as an appetizer with crusty Italian bread or as a main course over pasta.  The choice is yours.  Let’s make it!

Pan with mussels in the marinara sauce with basil in background.

This dish is really similar to our clams in red sauce, so if you feel like clams instead definitely check that one out.

Let’s talk about mussels

There are a lot of different edible mussel varieties, but the ones that are the safest bet, are the cultivated blue/black variety. 

They are grown on strings and have minimal sand and smaller beards. 

Beards (byssus threads) are a seaweed-like thread that mussels use to secure themselves to rocks and hard surfaces.  

Sometimes commercially raised ones will have had the beards removed during processing, however, most of the time there will still be some beards or loose threads hanging around so a good cleaning is still in order. 

How To Clean Them

Put the mussels in cool, not cold, water with a 1/4-1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water.  Mix it around and let the mussels sit for at least an hour. 

The water will encourage them to filter any remaining sand and most importantly show any beards that have not been removed commercially. 

To remove the beard grab it with a paper towel (the beards will slip from your hand if you try to pull barehanded) and pull the beard towards the joint of the mussel. 

Discard the beard and set that mussel aside.  Go through them all and when satisfied give the mussels a thorough scrubbing with a hard bristle brush to remove any debris. 

Rinse them one more time and they are now ready to cook.  The cleaning process takes about 10 minutes for 2 pounds of mussels.

Ingredients shown: white wine, one can plum tomatoes, garlic, mussels, and basil.

For this recipe, you will need 2 pounds of cultivated mussels, white wine (we used Pinot Grigio), one 28 ounce can of whole San Marzano plum tomatoes, basil, garlic, hot red pepper flakes, olive oil, and salt and pepper.

 

How to make mussels marinara

Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

  1. Begin by slicing up 6 cloves of garlic.
  2. In a pan large enough for the sauce and mussels, begin the saute process.  Saute the garlic in a 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium-low heat.

Recipe process shot collage group number one.

  1. Add in a 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste) hot red pepper flakes and let it cook with the garlic.  Once the garlic is lightly golden add in a 1/2 cup of dry white wine.
  2. Turn heat to high and boil the wine for 2 minutes.
  3. Turn heat down to medium and add in the blender pulsed or hand crushed plum tomatoes.  Give it a stir and cook the sauce for 5 minutes or so on a lively simmer.
  4. Add in the cleaned mussels and mix them into the sauce.

Recipe process shot collage group number two.

  1. Cover the mussels with a tight-fitting lid and cook until they open.
  2. The mussels will open quickly ( about 3-5 minutes).  After most have opened turn heat off and add in the basil.  Either hand tear it as shown or chop with a knife.  A nice drizzle of high quality extra virgin olive oil can be added as well if desired.  We recommend it!

That’s how you make mussels in red sauce or mussels marinara.

My favorite way to serve this dish is with a whole loaf of crusty Italian bread. 

Alternatively, you can serve it over pasta.  This recipe will be enough for about a 1/2 pound of pasta.

Mussels marinara Pinterest image.

Top tips

  1. Always thoroughly clean and look over the mussels whether they are cultivated or wild.  Check for beards and remove them with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel.
  2. Mussels only take a few minutes to open with moderate heat.  Any that do not open after about 5-6 minutes are most likely dead and should be discarded before serving.
  3. Eat right away.  Reheating seafood in the microwave is not recommended.  If you must reheat mussels do so in a saucepan on low heat.

Want more Italian seafood dishes?

If you’ve enjoyed this mussels marinara recipe or any recipe on this site, give it a 5-star rating and leave a review.

Watch the video below where Jim will show you how to make this recipe with easy-to-follow instructions. 

Some people learn by watching.  If you’re that type of person, you can find most of our recipes on YouTube and our Facebook Page.

Mussels Marinara

5 from 18 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Easy recipe for mussels marinara in a delicious garlicky tomato sauce with a touch of white wine, red pepper flakes, and basil.

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds mussels cleaned
  • 6 cloves garlic sliced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes optional
  • basil 1/4 cup chopped
  • 1 28 ounce can plum tomatoes blender pulsed
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions 

  • Begin by either hand crushing or blender pulsing (for 2-3 seconds) the plum tomatoes. Set aside. In a large wide pan saute garlic in a 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-low heat.
  • Once the garlic turns lightly golden (about 2 minutes) add the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds more. Add in the white wine and turn heat to high. Boil for 2 minutes.
  • Turn heat down to medium and add in the blender pulsed tomatoes. Stir sauce and let simmer for 5-10 minutes.
  • Add in the cleaned mussels, mix into the sauce, and cover. The mussels will open within a few minutes.
  • After 5 minutes discard any mussels that have not opened. Turn off heat and taste test the sauce. Adjust salt and pepper levels if required. Add in the chopped basil and stir. Serve with crusty Italian bread. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Thoroughly clean and look over the mussels.  Remove any beards.
  • Any mussels that do not open in 5-7 minutes cooking time should be discarded as they are most likely dead.
  • Reheating leftover seafood in the microwave is not recommended.  If you must reheat mussels do so in a saucepan on low heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 20.8g | Protein: 29.7g | Fat: 18.1g | Saturated Fat: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 867mg | Potassium: 1178mg | Fiber: 2.3g | Sugar: 8.3g | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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28 Comments

  1. Hi, do you have any recipes for oysters?………I mean I love them raw but anything else? I love all of your recipes and I just love that your family work as your tasters. Love all your recipes and love love when you do video’s.
    Thanks again from way up here on the West Coast BC,
    Canada!!

    1. Hi Leslie, thanks for the comment. We actually don’t have any oyster recipes, but would love to at some point. We also just usually eat them raw. So happy you’re enjoying the recipes and videos!

  2. How many pounds of mussels and cans of tomato sauce do you think I need for about 18 people? This looks so good and delicious. Want to try for Christmas Eve.

    1. Hi there, the recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the scale within the recipe card to the number of servings you want. I think it depends on if you’re making it as an appetizer and how much other food you’re also serving.

  3. 5 stars
    Hi Jim, I’m making Mussels marinara for my Friday night dinner over a linguine pasta. The only thing I suggest to this dish is to add fresh parsley instead of basil. I figured you can try the next you make it and have your handsome son do the taste test. It’s just a suggestion!! And thank you for all your amazing recipes. You are truly an amazing chef!!