Spaghetti with mussels is a simple main course where we can smell the scent of the sea. It is one of those dishes that is perfect for parties, quick dinners, and lunches…. It takes very little time to prepare, especially if you buy pre-shelled mussels. In Apulia, we find mussels all year round, but their best season is in summer. In this recipe, I have prepared spaghetti with datterino mussels that we find in winter, they are smaller than the black ones, but very full and tasty. For this type of dish, you don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen, it’s true, but as a true native of Bari, I would like to point out that we don’t open mussels over the fire, but raw, and I can assure you that the taste of the dish changes significantly….. that said, it doesn’t mean that opening them over the fire is not equally good, but I suggest keeping them on the fire for just a few minutes, as soon as you see the shells open, turn off immediately and help yourself to open them with a knife. Now try this super good recipe like all simple things!!!

Difficulty: Very easy
Cost: Economical
Preparation time: 15 Minutes
Portions: 4
Cooking methods: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

2.2 lbs mussels
1.1 lbs spaghetti
2 cloves garlic
parsley
pepper
oil

Tools

Knife
Pan

Steps

First, put plenty of water in a pot where you will cook the spaghetti and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, clean the mussels by removing the beard, then open them with a knife and remove the meat, saving their water.
When you have finished opening the mussels, place oil to cover the bottom in a pan, add parsley stems and garlic cloves. Saute, but do not burn the garlic; when it is hot, add the mussels with all the water you have saved, cook for a maximum of 5 minutes. Then remove the garlic.
Salt the water and add the spaghetti.
About 4 minutes before the cooking time ends, drain the spaghetti leaving a little cooking water. Pour the spaghetti into the pan with the mussels, add a ladle of water, and finish cooking by stirring them.
Turn off the heat, add parsley and pepper.
The spaghetti with mussels is ready!! Enjoy your meal.